Modeled after Broadway’s Tony Awards, the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards encourages and rewards exceptional accomplishments in the production of New Jersey high school musicals. Over 90 schools across the state participated this year, including public, private, and performing arts magnet schools—all of which are in the same nominations pool. The awards ceremony will take place at the Papermill Playhouse in Millburn on June 6.

We earned the following nominations:

• Outstanding Leading Performer in a Female-Identified Role: Katie Walsh as “Ella”
• Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role: Erica Watts as “Charlotte”
• Outstanding Performance by a Chorus
• Outstanding Costuming Achievement: Sabrina Windt & Matt DiDonato
• Outstanding Hair & Makeup Achievement: Dawn Scheidt
• Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction: Tyler Mills
• Outstanding Achievement by a Teacher or Outside Director: Matt DiDonato

We also earned honorable mentions for Overall Production, Choreography, Scenic Design, and Lighting Design.

The awards ceremony is June 6 at 7:30 pm. Our very own Cinderella, Katie Walsh, will be performing at the ceremony. We anticipate a streaming link will be shared for everyone who wants to watch from home.