San Dieguito, Canyon Crest actors among area students honored with awards

The 10th annual National Youth Arts Awards results are in, and several North County schools and theater groups featured prominently in the lineup of winners.

Canyon Crest Academy students were well-represented, with 11 winners, as were San Dieguito Academy students with six winners; both schools had many nominees.

Also honored with awards were members of the Theatre School at North Coast Repertory Theatre, members of North County School of the Arts, and more.

Two award ceremonies will be held on Sunday, July 12 at CCA’s Proscenium Theatre to recognize North County area winners and nominees.

For San Dieguito Academy, the event is a matinee with registration starting at 1:15 p.m. followed by the awards presentation at 2 p.m.

For Canyon Crest Academy, registration begins at 6:45 p.m. with the awards presentation scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Winners being recognized at the matinee ceremony include these local youths:

Outstanding lead actor in a musical, Will Fletcher as Albert Paterson, and outstanding lead actress, Delaney Ryan as Rose Alvarez, both for “Bye Bye Birdie”; outstanding lead actress in a musical, Jenna Steinburg for Cinderella in “Cinderella,” through North County School of Arts.

Outstanding lead actor in a play went to San Dieguito Academy’s Caleb Gibson as Lennie in “Of Mice and Men.”

Outstanding lead actress in a musical went to San Dieguito Academy’s Samantha Steinberg as Mary Poppins in “Mary Poppins.”

Outstanding supporting actress in a musical went to SDA’s Rachel Dovsky as Jane Banks and Shea Fairbanks Galaudet as Michael Banks, both for “Mary Poppins.” In addition, Galaudet won as Page in “The Mouse that Roared. SDA was also awarded outstanding ensemble for “Mary Poppins.”

For the evening ceremony, Canyon Crest Academy’s “Evita” will be recognized with eight outstanding awards including best production.

Individual “Evita” outstanding winners include lead actor in a musical, Steve Macario as Che; lead actress in a musical, Brooke Patterson as Eva Peron (in her decline) and Samantha Tullie as Eva Peron (in her zenith); choreography, Max Cadillac; youth orchestra; musical direction, Leigh Scarrit; and direction, Jeannine Marquie.

Outstanding supporting actress in a musical went to CCA’s Julia Vanderwiel as Delilah Strict in “Zombie Prom”; outstanding costume design, Janet Pitcher for “Museum”; and also outstanding ensemble for “Museum.”

NYA is a member-based organization that honors outstanding work by youth in the arts. This year more than 400 productions were considered for the awards, including shows from more than 160 different members in more than 70 cities spanning 13 states.

Winners were selected from nominations by a panel of more than 25 judges and reviewers. In addition to the youth who performed in schools and youth theatre companies, anyone age 18 and under who performed at a show reviewed by a National Youth Arts judge was also considered for the awards, as well as adults who participated in the youth productions as directors, designers or choreographers, according to NYT’s website.

Locally, a team of 17 volunteer judges saw 64 shows among 27 different groups for the North County awards, said Rob Hooper, NYT executive director.

“The number of youth theatre performance opportunities in San Diego County has to be among the highest in the country, and that helps foster an experienced and immensely talented group of performers who can choose from a wide variety of venues and shows — musicals from ‘Annie’ to ‘Zombie Prom,’ as well as comedies and dramas,” Hooper commented.

“It’s an honor to be able to enjoy their work during the year and recognize some of their work with the summer ceremonies; their excitement and support for one another when brought together in one place is inspiring.”

Award show tickets may be purchased at www.nationalyouththeatre.com. Award winners and nominees receive one free ticket; additional tickets cost $15 each. The public is invited to attend. Follow links from https://nationalyouththeatre.com/news/news_nya_awards2015.asp for each show.

Canyon Crest Academy’s Proscenium Theatre is at 5951 Village Center Loop Road, San Diego, CA 92130.