HHS Drama Club's fall play nominated for 15 Prime Stage Drama Awards

The Hampton High School Drama Club’s fall play production of “Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years in a Certain School of Magic and Magic!” has received an impressive 15 nominations in the Prime Stage Drama Awards.

For the first time, the HHS Drama Club is participating in the Prime Stage Drama Awards, which honors excellence by student actors performing in non-musical plays. The cast of “Puffs!” will perform a scene at the Prime Stage Theatre’s 4th Annual High School Drama Awards on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, on the New Hazlett Theater stage. Hampton is one of 12 area schools participating.

“Even though this is the first year that Hampton has been involved in the Prime Stage Drama Awards, the recognition, validation, and reception from the local performing arts community have been overwhelmingly rewarding,” said Hannah Dunlap, HHS English teacher/Drama Club advisor. “We are also excited that students who work tirelessly behind the scenes have this opportunity to be recognized for their achievements.”

Puffs has been nominated for the following awards:

• Best Actor: Nathan Connelly

• Best Actress: Echo Schomaeker

• Best Supporting Actress: Ashley Kimmell

• Best Student Directors: Andrew Kaehly & Kiley Vande Geest

• Best Student Stage Manager: Margaret Sager

• Best Student Scenic Design: Jacob Baker, Margaret Sager & Lily Stalewski

• Best Student Lighting Design: Jacob Baker, Michael Petrucci & Garret Vasil

• Best Student Prop Design: Samantha Nicely

• Best Student Costume Design Team

• Best Student Makeup Design: Shane Noone

• Best Student Use Of Creative Special Effects: Jacob Baker

• Best Student Sound Design: Melanie Roth & Claire Topper

• Best Student Backstage Run Crew Team

• Best Student Program/Poster Design: Kiley Vande Geest

• Best Overall Production

The HHS Drama Club performed “Puffs!” from Nov. 9-11. The student directors were Andrew Kaehly and Kiley Vande Geest.

“The student directors wanted to select a play that was different from the production of prior years,” said Dunlap. “Additionally, they wanted to build on the successes of last year's play, Noises Off, and generate renewed excitement for the Drama Club program. The student production team's job was to guide the talent they found, both cast and crew, to do the best job they could in bringing the show to life.”

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WHAT: Prime Stage Theatre 4th Annual High School Drama Awards

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, 7 p.m.

WHERE: New Hazlett Theater, 6 Allegheny Square East, Pittsburgh PA 15212

MORE INFO: https://primestage.com/events/drama-awards/