The audiences will determine the standout performers at shows this spring across the greater Cortland area.
Two students from each production will receive Audience’s Outstanding Performance Awards from Cortland Repertory Theatre’s Pavilion Awards. At the end of each performance, boxes will be provided for audience members to vote for a crew or cast member.
The participating school productions:
•“Into the Woods” – March 7 and 8 at Homer High School.
•“Five Mini Musicals” – March 7 and 8 at Cincinnatus High School.
•“Matilda” – March 7 to 9 at Tully High School.
•“Newsies” – March 14 and 15 at McGraw High School.
•“Seussical” – March 20 to 22 at Groton High School.
•“Robin Hood” – March 27 to 29 at Cortland Christian Academy.
•“The Hello Girls” – March 28 and 29 at Dryden High School.
•One-Act Play- Festival – May 2 to 4 at Cortland High School.
•Shakespearean Society Play – May 9 and 10 at Homer High School.
Each production will receive up to two Shining Star Student Awards, which are chosen by the show’s cast and crew. They go to enthusiastic, supportive, humble and caring company members.
“It’s really more about inclusivity,” said Mark Reynolds, a member of the Cortland Reperatory Theatre board of directors. “It’s not about who’s the best actor. We’ve taken away that old sort of way of looking about awards, and made it more about the work, and the appreciation for the work.”
The awards will be presented in May, and schools will each perform one number from their shows.
Up to two students from each performance will receive the Director’s Champion Award. These students will be picked by the directing team for showing leadership, compassion, maturity and bringing a positive influence on the rehearsal and performance process, the awards sheet says.
One school will receive the Rona Knobel Excellence in Theatre Education Award, named after Rona Knobel, a previous director at Homer Central School District who died in 2023.
The recipient will be an example of creativity, inclusion and community outreach. There is no monetary award for this, but the goal is to eventually award the winning drama club with one, Reynolds said.
– Lily Byrne