This season, students at W.T. Clarke High School in East Meadow earned numerous honors through various award programs given through the Broadway Education Alliance’s Roger Rees Awards Program.
The Roger Rees Awards aims to showcase talented high school performers from the New York Metropolitan area in various aspects of musical theatre performers. This program serves as the regional qualifier for high school Tony Awards, known as the Jimmy Awards, for Outstanding Performers in a Musical. The Roger Rees Awards encompasses several different award programs. W.T. Clarke High School is proud to have winners and finalists in four out of the six award programs.
The Pit Orchestra from Clarke’s winter production of “Anastasia” has been named the first winners of the New York City Center Outstanding Orchestra Award. Under the direction of Band Director Mrs. Molly Tittler-Ingoglia, the 34-person orchestra will perform the opening and closing songs for the Roger Rees Showcase on May 19 at the Gerald W. Lynch Theatre at John Jay College. They will have the opportunity to work with New York City Center Encores conductor Rick Hip-Flores, who has conducted the productions of “Fun Home,” “Beautiful,” and “Rocky on Broadway,” and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Mr. Hip-Flores will conduct the opening song, as well as work with the Clarke High School pit for a two-hour masterclass, and Mrs. Tittler-Ingoglia will conduct the closing song. This is the first year of this specific award program and we are very proud of the students and staff for this achievement.
Three students have been named winners of the 2024 New Faces Honors for Excellence in Solo Performance. Sophomore William Benowitz and senior Sarah Rubinfeld have been recognized in the category of Acting, and senior Kayla Cunha has been recognized in the category of Dance. William and Sarah both submitted monologues they prepared in Mr. Gregory Krajci's Theatre 1 class and Kayla submitted her competitive lyrical dance solo she's preparing with her teachers at Danceworks NY in Port Washington. This year saw the highest participation with more than 100 audition videos submitted. Audition videos were reviewed by a panel of 12 professional casting agents who are members of The Casting Society of America. Their scores were used to determine 10 students in each discipline (Acting, Dance, Vocal) to be recognized as New Faces 2024 Honorees. The winners will participate in a two-hour masterclass with industry professionals at Professional Performing Arts High School and be recognized at the Roger Rees Awards Showcase at the Gerald W. Lynch Theatre at John Jay College on May 19.
Clarke’s students were also named finalists for two additional awards programs. Junior Daniel Greff was named a finalist for the Student Reporter Search, which is an opportunity for students with an interest in media marketing and journalism. This included a virtual masterclass with Theatrely Chief Critic Juan Ramirez, as well as participation in a press conference with cast members of the new Broadway production, “The Outsiders.” The Select Chorale, under the direction of Choral Director Ms. Kaitlin Melker, was named a Finalist in the Harmony Helper Award for Outstanding Choral Group. Freshman Cooper daSilva and junior Georgina Petkanas also had the opportunity to participate in an audition day workshop for the Outstanding Performer in a Musical Award on May 6 at LIU Post.
The W.T. Clarke High School Music Department and East Meadow School District are very proud of the achievements of the students and staff in the theatre program.
