THE ELENBE AWARDS - CELEBRATING 22 YEARS IN 2018.
Two years before the "Stars of Tomorrow" program was launched by the Rochester Broadway Theatre League, Wayne County led the way with the Elenbe Awards.
Best described as the “High School Tony Awards of Wayne County”, The Elenbe Awards recognizes excellence in drama and musical productions, both individuals and overall productions, in Wayne County high schools. It was established in 1997 largely in part to efforts by Newark Superintendent (at the time) Bob Christmann and the Wayne County Council for the Arts.
In recent years Sue Bacon has served as the liaison between the schools, judges and the Council. Any adult in Wayne County is eligible to participate as a judge. Judges attend high school dramas and musicals throughout the year and rate performances with a Council established ratings sheet. Not all schools choose to participate every year. In May, a “red carpet” awards ceremony takes place at Newark High School (and broadcasts live on television). Each participating school has the opportunity to perform a short selection from their production. Due to copyright issues this portion of the ceremony cannot be aired on TV. Pre-taped interviews with the director and student representatives from each school are broadcast before the ceremony. Don Alhart serves as the Emcee for the ceremony (and has since its inception). A representative from Wayne Arts Council as well as Lyons National Bank are present and participate (short speech) as does Newark Board of Education President. Awards are presented to a winner and a runner-up in several categories (Best Supporting Actress/Actor in Play/Musical, Best Actress/Actor in Play/Musical etc.) as well as several ensemble awards and an overall production award. Winners are presented with a trophy and have the opportunity to give a short “thank you” acceptance speech. The schools that win overall best production also receive a monetary award sponsored by Lyons National Bank. LNB serves as the corporate sponsor for the program which is run by Wayne County Council for the Arts. It is a very exciting evening. Students are often dressed up and it feels like a red carpet event.
Wayne County is really a leader in recognizing achievement in the performing arts at the high school level.
Elenbe Awards
Wayne County Council for the Arts
2018 AWARDS
NEWARK HIGH SCHOOL
2018 ELENBE PERFORMING ARTS AWARD WINNERS
Best Supporting Actress Drama
Winner: Megan Cauwels, Newark
Runnerup: Kelsie Bushart, Newark
Best Supporting Actress Musical
Winner: Megan Cauwels, Newark
Runnerup: Cassie Courteau, Gananda
Best Supporting Actor Drama
Winner: Ashton Keene, Newark
Runnerup - Ryan Hermenet, Neawrk
Best Supporting Actor Musical
Winner: Jaston Brooks, Newark
Runnerup: Payton Loveless, Wayne
Best Actress Drama
Winner: Anisha Stallworth, Newark
Runnerup: Melanie Higgins, Lyons
Best Actress Musical
Winner: Avery Carlson, Williamson
Runnerup: Anna Bonafede, Marion
Best Actor Drama
Winner: Dakota Hinchman, Sodus
Runnerup: Benjamin Cepulo, Newark
Best Actor Musical
Winner: Reese Holahan, Marion
Runnerup: Dominic Lombardo, Wayne
Best Orchestra
Wayne Central
Outstanding Dance Ensemble
Marion
Outstanding Support Crew
Marion
Featured Performer (Actress)
Elizabeth Schneider, Lyons
C
Featured Performer (Actor)
Torin Sheahen, Williamson
Best Original Poster for Drama
Newark - poster by Olivia Bailey
Best Original Poster for Musical
Newark - poster by Olivia Bailey
Best Bill-Play for Drama
Newark - "A Charlotte's Web" "
Best Bill-Play for Musical
Marion - The Will Rogers Follies"
Best Production Drama
Winner: "Charlotte's Web" - Newark - directed by Emily Howard
Runnerup: "She Kills Monsters" - Lyons - directed by Larry Ann Evans
Best Production Musical
Winner: "The Will Rogers Follies" - Marion - directed by Shelly West Thompson
Runnerup: "The Addams Family" - Wayne Central - directed by Kathy Perconti