High Tech High School’s Musical Theatre Department is no stranger to winning awards over the years, but on their program’s 10th anniversary, their four wins at the Cappies – a student theater awards program – held special import.
Musical Theatre Director Alex Perez said that about 15 schools participated in the statewide program this year. The Cappies Critics and Awards Program, which mimics the Tony Awards, is split into different districts in the state. Music theater departments in various high schools pick students to visit other schools and grade their performances based on production and acting.
Perez said that the program fosters students’ ability to critique and write.
HTHS’ production of “Cabaret” received 12 nods. Students were invited to the North Jersey-Metro Cappies Awards held at Dumont High School on June 12.
Performed at gala
Because they were nominated in three performance categories, the students performed best song, best ensemble, and best musical acts at the awards gala.
Freshmen Natalie Panariello and Carol Szwei won for best lighting, junior Bryan Orellana received best male cameo actor, and Ruby Hankey, who recently graduated and will attend Drew University, was named best leading actress for her portrayal of Sally Bowles.
And HTHS won best musical of 2009 for “Cabaret.”
Perez said that HTHS’ band, although not nominated, shared a large role in their awards due to their composing and musical performances. The band also performed with the actors during the Cappies.
‘We deserved it’
Orellana explained that he was used to being a part of an ensemble, so when he won for best cameo actor, he felt that they all had been given the award.
He was also a part of the Cappies critique program and went to see several productions. Afterwards, the students would lock themselves in a room and grade performances.
He graded “Damn Yankees,” a musical production by Passaic Valley High School. He said that “everything” was beautiful and that when he saw that they were up for best musical against them, he wasn’t sure if HTHS would win.
“It was a wonderful experience.” – Bryan Orellana
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Hankey shared her role of Bowles with another actress, Josette Dwyer.
“I feel like I’ve shared the award with [Dwyer] because we fed off of each other so much,” said Hanky.
Perez said that he had never double cast anyone, but because he felt both of the students had deserved the role, he decided they should share it. Hanky said that it made them closer friends.
“It was a wonderful experience, and when we won the award, I was like, ‘I think we deserved it’ because of all the work we put into it,” said Orellana.
Perez said that their win was “reflective” of those puzzle pieces.
New to lighting
While Panariello had some experience with lighting, Szwei had none. They said they both learned along the way by studying performances to see where actors needed light, and through Perez.
Szwei said that she was more accustomed to being on stage, versus dealing with the behind-the-scenes aspects, and now has a greater appreciation for that part of it.
“It looks so beautiful afterwards,” said Szwei. “It’s pressing buttons in the back, but for the actors it’s so much more than that.”
Pannariello said that the lights conveyed feeling to the audience, building up as the music got louder and the music transformed from comedy to tragedy. Both were proud that their hard work paid off.
Hanky said that one scene between two actors was done so well it had a “Marlene Dietrich” effect because it looked like an old cinematic movie.
Testament to the arts
Hanky was grateful that their principal, Karol Brancato, was present to see them perform at the gala. Brancato is retiring this year and will be missed by the students and Perez, who praised her for her support during the last 10 years.
“She was like strutting up and down the aisle [at the Cappies],” said Hanky.
Perez explained that it was more than just an awards ceremony. “Aside from being proud for all of them and being proud of what we’ve accomplished, I think the most important thing is that this just further proves how important arts in our schools [are],” he said. “Because it’s not about the awards; it’s not about the competition; it’s just about the community level and the amount of teamwork that’s involved and the social skills it has demonstrated in all of them. More and more, I see and read stories about how arts programs continue being crippled or they are the first thing that goes on someone’s list for budget [cuts] for the state. What this is doing for people is so important, and if we lose sight of that it’s a shame.”
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.