the magazine of G ill S T . B ernard ’ s S C H O O L
GSB’s Rising Star Awards (cont.) 2009 – Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine Honorable Mention – Outstanding Achievement by an Actress in a Supporting Role – Savannah Schechter ’12 Honorable Mention – Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Design – Donald P. Schlachter P ’91, ’97 2008 – The Secret Garden by Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon based on the book by Frances Hodgson Burnett Award – Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical Award – Outstanding Achievement in Musical Direction – Amy and David Southerland Award – Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design – Paul H. Canada and Lynn Helferich P ’06, ’08 Award – Outstanding Achievement in Scenic Design – Paul H. Canada and John Helferich P ’06, ’08 2007 - She Loves Me by Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick and Joe Masteroff
is an outstanding one. Now, everyone else does, and they realize that Gill St. Bernard’s is that rare school that has been able to truly balance achievement in the arts with those in athletics,” he added. One hundred high schools from throughout New Jersey participated in this year’s Rising Star program. Four evaluators attended and critiqued each production and gave their recommendations for nominations in 15 artistic and technical categories. Gill St. Bernard’s garnered a total of 11 nominations and one Honorable Mention this year. In addition to the categories which the school won, it was nominated for: Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – Savannah Schechter ’12; Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – Jessica Kundla ’13; Outstanding Performance by a Chorus; Outstanding Choreography – Margery Schiesswohl, Upper School theater teacher; Outstanding Lighting Design – Joseph Skowronski; In evaluating the play, one of the judges wrote, “This production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood was by far one of the most enjoyable experiences of the entire season.
Award – Outstanding Achievement by an Actress in a Leading Role – Lauren Ullrich ’08 Award – Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design – Paul H. Canada Honorable Mention – Outstanding Achievement by an Actress in a Supporting Role – Alexis Nedd ’09
4
The cast with director Paul H. Canada (front row, far left) and Paper Mill executives (back row far right and far left) at the awards ceremony.
From the moment I entered the theater to the minute I exited, I was completely immersed in the world of London’s Music Hall Royale.” Another judge said it ran “like a well-oiled machine.” Lisa Cooney, Paper Mill director of education, spoke about the program, “Programs like the Rising Star Awards have raised the bar and create opportunities for student-performers and theater technicians to be recognized for their achievements, while giving them access to thousands of dollars in scholarship money. Many Rising Star nominees and winners are now working professionally and we consistently hear from top-tier colleges and casting directors that the Rising Star Award is a significant accolade for an aspiring theater artist.” The Mystery of Edwin Drood is a playwithin-a-play based on an unfinished murder mystery by Charles Dickens. It begins at London’s Music Hall Royale where the actors are presenting their premier performance of The Mystery of Edwin Drood. The play is structured around the troupe’s dubious talents, and, in each performance, the audience casts a vote for the outcome and seals the ‘fate’ of its characters.