BWW Reviews: THE BLUMEY AWARDS Recognizes Excellence in High School Theater

Growing more spectacular every year, the Fourth Annual Blumey Awards, presented by Wells Fargo, recognizes Excellence in High School Theater and celebrates the hard work and dedication it takes to perform in musical theater. This year, twenty-one high schools within the Charlotte region were nominated for Blumey Awards in at least one of twelve categories, and another six counties had students recognized in the Top 20 in the Best Actor or Best Actress category. The counties represented included Cabarrus, Cleveland Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Union and York.

The Blumey Awards was created by Tom Gabbard, President of Blumenthal Performing Arts, produced and co-directed by Ralph Beck, Education Director of Blumenthal Performing Arts and Michelle Youngs, Education Program Manager of Blumenthal Performing Arts. Music Director and Conductor, David Dabbon, out-did himself as usual on the quality of original songs and mash-ups. The show opened with a high-energy number "The Big Best of Times."

Throughout the show, schools that were up for Best Musical would perform a number. Ardrey Kell High School started with a small scene from 42nd STREET with great characterizations and went into the best tap dance routine I have ever seen performed by a nonprofessional group. Northwest School of the Arts amazed the audience with their number from PETER PAN, "Ugh-A-Wug," showcasing everyone's dancing ability along with a very intricate massive stick rhythm.

Each school was allowed to choose two people to participate in the Blumeys. This year, my school, Weddington High School, sent Autumn Cravens, who played Amber Von Tussle in HAIRSPRAY and Devin Pawline, who played, Brad in HAIRSPRAY. Pawline was also our show's choreographer. As a high school senior, Pawline lit up the Weddington High School stage with well-executed and professionally choreographed dance numbers. I would love to see an added category in next year's Blumey Awards recognizing high school student choreographers.

Master of Ceremonies, Maureen O'Boyle, the anchor of WBTV, mentioned that none of the high school drama teachers were getting awards. She asked the audience to clap to recognize our teachers. She also mentioned all teachers should receive a pay raise. I agree, praise goes out to my drama teacher, Maria Moore, who gives endless hours after-school working diligently every year to make our theater productions great at Weddington High School.

Jonzi D. Artistic Director of BREAKIN' CONVENTION presented Best Choreography and Best Ensemble in a very fun and comfortable way. His love for music, the arts and dance showed through so much that I wanted to go see BREAKIN' CONVENTION, just by watching him present the awards. Christine Nelson introduced Best Supporting Actor categories poking fun at that she is not the lead anchor for WBTV, but in her own way, she is a supporting news member. This made everyone in the audience who was a supporting or ensemble member feel very validated.

While people were being seated and during intermission, slides of the productions were projected onstage and the audience cheered around the theater, bringing a feeling of comradary and excitement to the show.

The Blumey Awards created a Tier 1 ($10,00 and under) and Tier 2 ($10,000 and over) award based on the school's production budget. Kings Mountain High School from Cleveland County won the Tier 1 Best Musical Award for their production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Ardrey Kell High School from Mecklenburg County won the Tier 2 Best Musical Award for their production of 42nd STREET. Lauren Hunkele of Northwest Cabarrus High School won Best Actress for her portrayal of "Jo March" in LITTLE WOMEN. Justin Norwood of South Pointe High School won Best Actor for his portrayal of "Radames" in AIDA. Hunkele and Norwood, will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City where they will train and compete with other regional winners in the National High School Musical Theater Awards. The national show and ceremony, known as The Jimmy Awards (named after famed Broadway producer, James M. Nederlander), takes place on June 29, 2015.

This year, there were three students admitted into the orchestra pit. Sean Fain, Butler High School on trombone, Hunter Ditsch, Northwestern High School on woodwinds and Maggie Watts, North Lincoln High School on woodwinds.

The Mary Doctor Performing Arts Scholarship, a $10,000 annually renewable scholarship was awarded to Javontre Booker, Northwest School of the Arts, and Erynn Vickery, Forestview High School. A new scholarship, The Gordon Hay Scholarship, $5,000 scholarship for a high school senior planning to pursue a non-performing career in theater was awarded to Aslan Freidline of Davidson Day School. The Student Critic Program is a part of The Blumey Awards with support from The Charlotte Observer. Helen Coats from Northwestern High School was awarded "The Charlotte Observer Student Critic Award." The other winners included Best Supporting Actor, Noah Rosario as Slightly in PETER PAN, Northwest School of the Arts, Best Supporting Actress, Haley Conway as Ado Annie in OKLAHOMA!, Southlake Christian Academy, Best Featured Performer, Austin Willis as Orin in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Kings Mountain High School, Best Overall Direction, Ardrey Kell High School for 42nd STREET, Best Ensemble/Chorus, Ardrey Kell High School for 42nd STREET, Best Choreography Execution, Northwest School of the Arts for PETER PAN, Best Student Orchestra, Ardrey Kell High School for 42nd STREET, Best Costume Creation, Northwest School of the Arts for PETER PAN and Best Set Construction, Ardrey Kell High School for 42nd STREET.

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