Members of the QHS Drama Club crowded around a flat screen in the chorus room Friday, April 28, and listened with anticipation as the High School Musical Theatre Award nominations were announced.
Drama Club director Andy Terry punched his fist in the air, and students screamed and jumped up and down when they heard Queensbury’s 2023 production of “Shrek The Musical” received six nominations, including Best Musical, Best Ensemble, Best Choreography, Best Set Construction, Best Supporting Actress for freshman Delaney Sano and Best Actor for her brother, Carter Sano, a senior who played the role of Shrek.
The HSMTA program culminates on stage at Proctors at 7 p.m. May 13 for an awards ceremony modeled after the Tony Awards. Winners are announced for each category, interspersed with live production numbers from shows nominated for Best Musical.
During the spring musical season, schools are adjudicated by a panel of educators, theater experts and industry professionals in 12 performance or technical categories. When all the evaluations have been completed, scores are tabulated and certified. The highest score determines the winner in each category and winners are announced during the awards ceremony.
The QHS Drama Club has never received this many nominations, nor has it ever been nominated for set design or choreography.
Queensbury Drama Club will perform “Let Your Freak Flag Fly” during the ceremony, and Carter Sano will perform in the opening and closing numbers as well as a medley performance with the four other Best Actor nominees.
“It’s exciting,” said Carter Sano. “Last year I didn’t get it so I really put a lot of effort into it this year, and it paid off, I guess.”
His sister Delaney, who played the part of Gingy, said she was surprised to get a nomination.
“I didn’t expect it,” she said. “I’m really excited and I’m really happy. I think it will be a good bonding experience for both of us.”
Senior Kendra Jones took on the role of lead choreographer this year.
“It’s encouraging,” Kendra said, “because this is what I want to do, so it’s definitely given me a little boost in confidence. I’m very excited.”
The winners of Best Actress and Best Actor on May 13 go on to represent the Capital Region in The Jimmy Awards/The National High School Musical Theatre Awards, which will take place June 26 at Broadway’s Minskoff Threatre in Manhattan.
Tickets for the May 13 show are available to the public starting May 3 through the Box Office at Proctors, in person or via phone at 518-346-6204 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday or online at proctors.org.
Terry teared up as he congratulated his Drama Club students.
“I’m speechless right now,” Terry said. “On behalf of the production team, we are just so very proud of these guys and what they’ve accomplished.”
Nominations:
- Best Musical (Tier A)
- Best Actor: Carter Sano
- Best Supporting actress: Delaney Sano
- Best Ensemble
- Best Choreography
- Best Set Construction
Watch students learn they received a Best Musical nomination in this video.