With the closing of Robert C. Byrd High School’s Thoroughly Modern Millie over the weekend, the theatre season for high schools in Harrison County has come to a close. However, in two weeks, for the first time ever, there will be a year-end celebration of this year’s academic theatre season.

 

The Vintage Theatre Company, LLC, in cooperation with the Harrison County Board of Education, is proud to present the first ever Harrison County Theatre Awards on Saturday, May 2 at Robert C. Byrd High School.

 

“It’s Harrison County’s very own version of the Tony Awards,” said Jason A. Young, Vintage Theatre Company’s Founding Producer and Artistic Director. “The goal is to bring together the high school theatre programs in Harrison County and recognize the tremendous talent of our area youth.”

 

Each high school in Harrison County was given the opportunity to enter any main stage production from the school year. This year Bridgeport, Robert C. Byrd, Notre Dame, and South Harrison chose to participate and have their shows adjudicated or judged.

 

VTC sent at least two adjudicators to see each participating school’s productions. The adjudicators were local theatre professionals and professors from West Virginia Wesleyan College, Glenville State College, Fairmont State University, West Liberty University, and Davis and Elkins College.

 

“The adjudication process is what I am most proud of in this entire new program,” said Young. “We sent professional working artists and college professors into these high schools, connecting them with faculty and student. The long term value of that is immeasurable.”

 

Now that all of the shows are complete, the adjudicators will be meeting soon to determine the awards to be presented on May 2.

 

Only students are eligible for awards, and categories being considered are Outstanding Actor and Actress, Outstanding Supporting Actor and Actress, Outstanding Male and Female Ensemble Member, Outstanding Ensemble, Outstanding Show, and many more. There are also four special awards that are decided by the leaders of each school’s theatre program.

 

The awards show itself will feature opening and closing numbers performed by students from all Harrison County high schools as well as performances from many of the nominated shows. Awards will be handed out, and students will be invited on-stage to make acceptance speeches.

 

“It’s the theatre equivalent to the Frank Loria Awards,” said Young. “Except we aren’t going to have a dinner and a speaker – we are going to put on a show and have a blast doing it.”

 

The Harrison County Theatre Awards will take place on Saturday, May 2 at Robert C. Byrd High School. The “Red Carpet Reception” will begin at 6:30 p.m., and the awards show begins at 7:30 p.m.

 

Any student involved in a school’s theatrical production this year will be admitted free, as well as the artistic staff for each production. All other tickets are $10 and will go on sale Monday, April 27.

 

To make a ticket reservation, email VintageTheatreCo@gmail.com or call 1-855-VTC-8588.

 

VTC is also looking for sponsorship for the show’s individual awards. Businesses, groups, or individuals interested in becoming award sponsors should contact VTC by the email address listed above.

 

“We are very close to the inauguration of a new and exciting program in Harrison County schools,” said Young. “The nominations will be announced in the coming days, and I think that is when the excitement will really begin.”