Out of 114 high schools in New Jersey, including private and community schools, Del Val’s winter production of “The SpongeBob Musical” received seven Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Award nominations on May 11.
Of the 22 opportunities for honors, only six schools are nominated per award.
One of many prominent nominations that the company won was the Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical. Seeing the importance of this award, the cast and crew were invited to perform a number from the production at the Paper Mill Rising Star Award ceremony that captures the cast’s award-winning production. The awards will take place on June 9 at 7:00 p.m. SpongeBob is now one of four Del Val productions to perform on the Paper Mill stage.
Senior Alex Apgar, who plays SpongeBob SquarePants, ends his Del Val performing arts career with a nomination for the Outstanding Performance in a Male-Identified Leading Role.
Alongside Apgar, junior Nolen Petty, who is both a dance captain for the production and plays Squidward Tentacles, is nominated for Outstanding Performance in a Male-Identified Supporting Role.
Senior Lila Pfefferle, who is both assistant choreographer and plays Patrick Star, won a Student Achievement Award for her positive impact on the production and her skillful leadership.
In the theatre world, no show can be perfect without its dedicated crew working behind the scenes.
Tessa Carr, the mastermind behind SpongeBob’s intricate, recyclable set design, is nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Scenic Design. Along with Carr, Clinton Ambs, a performing arts teacher and former director of Del Val’s winter productions and has been nominated for several Paper Mill awards, is nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Design.
First-year director Stephanie Grossman is nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Direction, and head choreographer and dance teacher Heather Fleischman is nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Choreography.
Along with Grossman and Fleischman’s nominations, vocal director and choir teacher Andrew Chojnacki earned an honorable mention for Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction.
To watch Del Val’s cast of “The SpongeBob Musical” shine onstage at the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Award ceremony, make sure to tune into Paper Mill Playhouse’s YouTube channel on June 9 at 7 p.m.
