Butler County schools win big at Mancini Awards ceremony
MIDLAND, Beaver County — County high schools captured multiple awards at the Mancini Awards ceremony Saturday night at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center.
Best Actress went to Addison Albert for her portrayal of Peggy Sawyer in Knoch High School’s “42nd Street.”
Knoch’s musical also won Best Musical in its Budget 2 category, along with Best Student Orchestra.
Best Supporting Actress was Freeport High School’s Halle Surgil in her role as Charlotte in the modern take on Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella.”
Freeport’s musical also garnered Best Scenic Design in its Budget 1 category.
Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School captured the award for Best Musical, Best Costume Design and Best Lighting Design in its Budget 1 level. CWNC performed the spring musical “Once Upon a Mattress.”
Addison, along with Best Actor winner Jacob Swanson from Beaver Falls High School, will go on to the National High School Musical Theatre Awards — The Jimmy Awards — in New York City in June.
The five-day experience includes private coaching, master classes and rehearsals with theater professionals. Their week’s journey will conclude with a panel of industry experts selecting exceptional students for The Jimmy for Best Performance by an Actress and Actor. Students receive opportunities for merit scholarships, professional advancement and other prizes.
The pair will be sponsored by the Pittsburgh CLO.
The Henry Mancini Musical Theatre Awards celebrate student achievement in high school musical theater in Butler, Beaver and Lawrence counties. All schools in the three counties were invited to participate, with 15 schools taking part this year, including Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic, Freeport, Knoch, Moniteau and Union.
