Photo Flash: Palace Theater Hosts 8th Annual Connecticut High School Musical Theater Awards

Last evening, the Palace Theater (Waterbury, CT) hosted the eighth annual Connecticut High School Musical Theater Awards, a black tie gala event that celebrates the arts and recognizes individual artistry in vocal, dance and acting performances as exhibited by Connecticut high school students. 20 schools from across the state came together to celebrate the achievement, craft and talents that make high-quality, musical theater education happen.

Students, teachers, families, and Broadway performers gathered for the one night event to present the awards. Presenters included Julian Decker (Les Miserables, Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame) Samantha Pollino (Hot Feet) Kimber Sprawl (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Van Dean (Broadway Producer), Connor Deane (Broadway Method Academy) and many more. The gala was hosted by Broadway veteran, Arbender Robinson (Shuffle Along, Les Miserables, Beautiful, Ragtime, Book of Mormon). Michael Lepore (Trumbull High School) and Sydney Weiser (Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts) won the top prize of Best Actor and Actress in a Musical, respectively. The two received full scholarships to Broadway Method Academy's Summer Musical Theater Intensive, where they will have the opportunity to work directly with some of Broadway's top talents, including this summer, Tony Nominee Cynthia Erivo (The Color Purple).

Broadway Method Academy (Fairfield, CT) is a proud sponsor of the Connecticut High School Musical Theater Awards. The black-tie gala was produced by Brett Bernadini and B2 Productions.