Students earn nominations in Blumey Awards theater program

Ten students from Gaston County Schools have earned nominations in the prestigious Blumey Awards program that celebrates the best in high school theater in the Charlotte area.

Representing Gaston County Schools in the Best Actor category are Cody Meares of North Gaston High School for his role as “Baker” in “Into the Woods” and Bowie Werran of Stuart W. Cramer High School for his role as “Horton” in “Seussical.”  In the Best Actress category, Gaston County Schools’ nominees are Jayda Outen of North Gaston High School for her portrayal of “Witch” in “Into the Woods” and Marley Prato of Stuart W. Cramer High School for her portrayal of “Mayzie” in “Seussical.”

Gaston County Schools’ nominees for Best Supporting Actor are Wesley Lawson of North Gaston High School for his role as “Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince” in “Into the Woods” and Caleb Bailey of Stuart W. Cramer High School for his role as “General Schmitz” in “Seussical.”  The nominees for Best Supporting Actress are Lily Frazier of North Gaston High School for her portrayal of “Little Red Riding Hood” in “Into the Woods” and Nyla Hoffman of Stuart W. Cramer High School for her portrayal of “Sour Kangaroo” in “Seussical.”

In the Best Featured Performer category, Gaston County Schools’ nominees are Mike Schulz of North Gaston High School for his role as “Steward” in “Into the Woods” and Paxton Free of Stuart W. Cramer High School for her role as “Bird Girl #1” in “Seussical.”

Each high school participating in the Blumey Awards gets a nominee for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Featured Performer.  Six finalists are chosen for each category, and they go on to be featured during the Blumey Awards ceremony when the category winners are announced.  The ceremony is planned for Sunday, May 21 at the Belk Theater in Charlotte.  In past years, the ceremony has been recorded for television and aired on WTVI.

Forty-eight high schools are involved in the program this year, which is intended to recognize, reward, and encourage talent and achievement in musical theater.  The program also highlights the importance of musical theater and fine arts education.

Gaston County Schools has experienced success in the highly-competitive Blumey Awards program with student performances winning honors for set construction, costumes, best musical, and best supporting actor, and that is in addition to award nominations in categories such as best direction, best choreography, and best ensemble.  Students also have won scholarships that are presented through the Blumey Awards.