With the aim of inspiring performance and recognizing the importance of musical theater and arts education in Northeast Ohio high schools, Playhouse Square held the third annual Dazzle Awards presented by Patricia & John Chapman on Saturday, May 19. The Dazzle Awards are affiliated with the National High School Musical Theatre Awards("The Jimmy Awards") presented by The Broadway League Foundation.
This regional program offered arts education opportunities throughout the school year and culminated with an awards showcase staged by Broadway director/choreographer Rommy Sandhu and hosted by Todd Meany of Cleveland's Own Fox 8. 250 students performed in fully choreographed opening and closing numbers. Each school nominated in the Connor Family Best Musical categories performed a song from their musical in full make-up and costumes, and the John and Patricia Chapman Best Actor and Actress nominees performed together in medleys.
Prior to start of the show, students walked the "PNC Red Carpet" as they entered the Connor Palace. Student reporters representing 14 high schools interviewed and photographed their classmates to school news programs, newspapers, social media channels and yearbooks.
Throughout the evening, Dazzle Awards were presented to outstanding musical theater productions and students in 14 categories, including the new "Spirit of the Dazzle Awards" category, awarded to the student who most embodies camaraderie, passion and an infectiously positive attitude throughout rehearsal week as identified by the Dazzle Awards creative team.
The 2018 Dazzle Awards recipients are:
The Nancy and A.J. Stokes Best Student Orchestra
Akron School for the Arts at Firestone CLC, Chicago
Best Scenic DesignSolon High School, The Secret Garden
The Nancy and A.J. Stokes Best Technical Execution
Solon High School, The Secret Garden
Best Costume Design
Rocky River High School, Monty Python's SpamalotBest Choreography Execution
Akron School for the Arts at Firestone CLC, Chicago
Best Ensemble/Chorus
Euclid High School, In the Heights
The John and Patricia Chapman Best Featured PerformerMiraya Russell, CMSD All-City Arts Program ('Nautica' in Bring It On)
Miraya won a Best Supporting Actress Dazzle Award last year for her portrayal of 'Addaperle' in The Wiz.
Brianna Mosley, Mayfield High School ('Flotsam' in The Little Mermaid)
The John and Patricia Chapman Best Supporting ActorStephen Hall, CMSD All-City Arts Program ('La Cienega' in Bring It On)
The Connor Family Best Musical (Tier 1 - Budget less than $10,000)
Rocky River High School, Monty Python's Spamalot
(Rocky River also won the 2016 and 2017 Dazzle Awards in this category.)
Akron School for the Arts at Firestone CLC, Chicago
The Spirit of the Dazzle Awards
Peyton St. John, Magnificat High School
The John and Patricia Chapman Best ActressReyna Moran, Akron School for the Arts at Firestone CLE ('Velma Kelly' in Chicago)
Reyna won in this category last year for her portrayal of Vanessa in In the Heights.
J.R. Heckman, Solon High School ('Archibald Craven' in The Secret Garden)
J.R. won in this category in 2016 for his portrayal of Donkey in Shrek the Musical.
As recipients of the John and Patricia Chapman Best Actress and Actor Awards, Reyna Moran (senior) and J.R. Heckman (junior) will represent Northeast Ohio at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards ("The Jimmy Awards") on June 25. Playhouse Square presented Reyna and J.R. each with checks for $1500.
Public and private high schools located in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit Counties were invited to apply for participation in the Dazzle Awards. Information and applications for the 2018 Dazzle Awards will be available online at playhousesquare.org/dazzleawards in late summer.Videos