Summit High School was the big winner this year, earning awards from New Jersey's prestigious theater
Paper Mill Playhouse announced the winners of its 2016 Rising Star Award for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre on Tuesday. Since their inception in 1996, the awards -- which are modeled after the Tony Awards -- have helped to launch the careers of many notable performers, all of whom attended high school in New Jersey, including Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway ("Les Miserables") and Tony Award winner Nikki M. James ("The Book of Mormon.")
The big winner this year: Summit High School, which took home five awards, including the prize for Outstanding Overall Production for "Mary Poppins." Claire Fitzpatrick, who played the title role won the award for Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role, while Katherine Winter was recognized for Outstanding Costuming Achievement. The production's student director, Katherin Recio, and its costume crew took home the Student Achievement Award.
Academy of Holy Angels High School in Demarest took home three prizes for its production of "Children of Eden," including Outstanding Direction, Outstanding Music Direction and Outstanding Chorus.
"We are very excited to celebrate excellence in high school musical theater with the students of New Jersey," Paper Mill Playhouse's Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee said in a statement. "The prestigious honor of a Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star nomination is the culmination of their hard work in a high school musical."
The award for Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role went to Fair Lawn High School's Trevor Braun for his portrayal of Charlie Chaplin in their production of "Chaplin the Musical."
A complete list of winners can be found on the playhouse's website.
Students who received final nominations in the lead and supporting acting categories received a scholarship to Paper Mill Playhouse's competitive Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory, a professional training program that, along with advanced classes in singing, acting and dance, offers the nominees an opportunity to perform onstage at Paper Mill Playhouse in the season finale concert, "New Voices of 2016: Everything Old is New Again!" on July 29 and 30.
Sydney Shaw may be reached at sshaw@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ShawshankSyd. Find NJ.com on Facebook.