Local high school musical theatre students shine at awards ceremony

The Collaborative School of the Arts celebrates talent and hard work

SCHENECTADY—The biggest night in high school musical theatre was a dazzling celebration honoring student’s talent and creativity. The Collaborative School of the Arts ninth annual High School Musical Theatre Awards presented Roman Mangino, from Ballston Spa High School, and Lianelys Oviedo-Roman, from Amsterdam High School, with Outstanding Lead Performer for their roles as Frank Abagnale Jr. in “Catch Me If You Can,” and Eurydice in “Hadestown: Teen Edition,” respectively.

Mangino and Oviedo-Roman will go to the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, The Jimmys, in New York City, for a week of learning and adventure with a chance at winning the Top Lead Performer across the nation.

Over 20 schools across the Capital Region participated in the ceremony modeled after the Tony Awards. Amsterdam High School, “Hadestown: Teen Edition,” took home rewards for Backstage Excellence and Best Musical Tier C. South Glens Falls High School, “Hadestown: Teen Edition” took home Best Musical Tier B and Colonie Central High School, “Mary Poppins” won Best Musical Tier A.

For the first time this year, HSMTA presented the Spirit of Theatre award. Brandon Reisner as Hermes in “Hadestown: Teen Edition,” South Glens Falls High School, won for his support and encouragement of the students participating in the ceremony.

All participating students performed throughout the evening in truly entertaining songs and routines. The evening opened with a dynamic medley featuring selections from “Pippin,” “Into the Woods,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “All Shook Up,” and “RENT,” showcasing their collective talent.

Throughout the night, select schools performed numbers from their nominated productions, including Albany High School’s “Bring It On,” Colonie Central High School’s “Mary Poppins,” Glens Falls High School’s “The Prom,” Ballston Spa High School’s “Catch Me If You Can,” Saratoga Springs High School’s “Legally Blonde,” South Glens Falls High School’s “Hadestown: Teen Edition,” Amsterdam High School’s “Hadestown: Teen Edition, “and Cohoes High School’s “Disney’s Descendants: The Musical.”

Full list of award winners:

• Backstage Excellence: Amsterdam High School,“Hadestown: Teen Edition”
• Outstanding Choreography Execution: Saratoga Springs High School, “Legally Blonde”
• Outstanding Orchestra: Niskayuna High School, “Sunset Boulevard”
• Outstanding Ensemble: South Glens Falls High School, “Hadestown: Teen Edition”
• Outstanding Achievement: Hoosick Falls High School, “Into the Woods”
• Best Musical Tier A: Colonie Central High School, “Mary Poppins”
• Best Musical Tier B: South Glens Falls High School, “Hadestown: Teen Edition”
• Best Musical Tier C: Amsterdam High School, “Hadestown: Teen Edition”
• Spirit of Theatre: Brandon Reisner as Hermes in “Hadestown: Teen Edition,” South Glens Falls High School
• Outstanding Supporting Performer: Lily Sinnott as Serena in “Legally Blonde,” Shenendehowa High School
• Outstanding Supporting Performer: Rae Philips as Jay in “Disney’s Descendants: The Musical,” Cohoes High School
• Outstanding Lead Performer: Roman Mangino as Frank Abagnale Jr. in “Catch Me If You Can,” Ballston Spa High School
• Outstanding Lead Performer: Lianelys Oviedo-Roman as Eurydice in “Hadestown: Teen Edition,” Amsterdam High School

The High School Musical Theatre Awards are sponsored by the Daily Gazette, and the trip to the Jimmys is sponsored by M/E Engineering. For more information about the High School Musical Theatre Awards or the Collaborative School of the Arts, visit collaborativeschoolofthearts.org.