Waterbury's Seven Angels Theatre recognized talented Tafties and Taft's theater program with two Halo Awards, and an extraordinary 17 nominations this year. Congratulations to Halo Award winners Harry Wang and Ivy Zhuang. Harry was honored for his musical contributions to The 39 Steps, while Ivy earned honors for her performance in It's a Wonderful Life.
This year, Taft mounted two major productions on the Bingham Auditorium stage under challenging circumstances, dictated by COVID-19 restrictions: It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play in the fall, and The 39 Steps: Escape From a Live Radio Play in the spring.
Now in their 18th year, Halo Awards honor high school student achievements in all aspects of theater, from acting and dancing to set design and stage management. Productions mounted by high schools across the state of Connecticut were considered during the nominating process.
Congratulations to our two winners, and to all the nominees!
BEST PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A PLAY:
Ivy Zhuang as Zuzu/Joseph/Mrs. Hatch in It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play*
BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY:
Sam Choi as Clarence Oddbody in It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY:
Audrey D'Autorio as Violet/Young Violet/Janie in It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
BEST LIGHTING DESIGN AND/OR EXECUTION:
Mercury Titterton for The 39 Steps
BEST SOUND DESIGN AND/OR EXECUTION:
Alex Janssen & Theo Norledge for The 39 Steps
BEST SCENIC DESIGN AND/OR EXECUTION:
Stagecraft Class for It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS
Sheina Patrick, Benjamin White, and Kendra Papanek for It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
BEST STAGE MANAGEMENT:
Kendra Papanek for The 39 Steps
BEST INCIDENTAL OR ORIGINAL MUSIC IN A PLAY:
Harry Wang for The 39 Steps*
BEST PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A PLAY:
Jack Almasian as Harry/Potter/Mr. Gower/Mr. Welch in It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
BEST PERFORMANCE BY A COUPLE OR DYNAMIC DUO IN A PLAY:
Theo Norledge and Alex Janssen in The 39 Steps
BEST PERFORMANCE BY A CAST IN AN ENSEMBLE PLAY:
The Taft School: The 39 Steps
BEST MALE STANDOUT PERFORMANCE IN AN ENSEMBLE PLAY:
Leo Kaplan as Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps
BEST FEMALE STANDOUT PERFORMANCE IN AN ENSEMBLE PLAY:
Elena Echavarria Gil as Pamela Stuart in The 39 Steps
BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTOR IN A PLAY:
James Hughes as George Bailey in It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTRESS IN A PLAY:
Alice Lander as Mary Hatch Bailey in It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
BEST CONTEMPORARY PLAY:
The 39 Steps
*Denotes Halo Award winner