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The drama was at an all-time high for New Canaan High School students as they took home top honors at the 2010 Connecticut High School Music Theater Awards. On Monday, the NCHS Drama Department production of "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" won seven awards -- more than any other in the state -- including Outstanding Production of the Year and Outstanding Performance by Leading Female awarded to Katie Oxman for her role as The Chairwoman. The awards were announced at a black-tie, red-carpet Gala at the Bushnell in Hartford.
"This says a lot about the caliber of our music department," said Patricia Oxman, proud mother of Katie. "We have wonderful leadership and very dedicated kids who take on a lot of responsibility and are very passionate." Oxman says that her daughter had to "come up with the character" of Madame Chairman since that role is usually played by a man.
Oxman recounted how closing night of the show took place in March, the weekend after the big stom that felled trees everywhere. "It was difficult logistically to put on that show, but everyone rose to the occasion." On that night, Rupert Holmes, the writer and director of the play, "a Broadway big shot", attended the show to the great delight of the cast and crew. "He came away saying glowing things about the performance," says Oxman.
As winner of the coveted Outstanding Performance by Leading Female, Katie, a senior, will go to New York city in June where she will work with industry professionals in preparation for the National High School Music Theater Awards at NYU. There, she will be seen by top casting agents and directors.
Awards were also presented to: Brett Gerardi who won Outstanding Performance by a Featured Ensemble Member for his roles as James Throttle/Stage manager; Michael DeMattia, Production Stage Manager brought home The Special Achievement Award; "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" director and NCHS Drama Department head, Deidre Alexander, won both the Ort Pengue Award for Outstanding Costume Achievement and Outstanding Direction by a Theater or Outside Artist; NCHS also won for Outstanding Lobby Display.
The Connecticut High School Musical Theater Awards is a program created and presented by the Spirit of Broadway Theater of Norwich, Connecticut with the purpose of Raising the profile of high school performing arts programs throughout Connecticut to help ensure that the arts have a dynamic and central role in the educational life of young people. Twenty Connecticut high schools participated in the 2010 drama competition in 16 categories.
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