News
May 8, 2020Proctors Collaborative Produces High School Musical Theatre Awards TV Event; Airs Saturday, May 16
The media has given considerable coverage about how high school students are missing out on many of the traditional rites of spring including proms, sporting events and graduations. A less-reported casualty of the COVID-19 crisis has been the cancellation of school musicals.
The pandemic also impacted Proctors School of the Performing Arts’ fourth annual High School Musical Theatre Awards, a celebration of regional scholastic productions. Many schools were unable to stage their performances before schools closed due to state COVID-19 executive orders, making it impossible to complete adjudication and award student actors, technicians and ensembles. The 27 schools participating in the 2020 HSMTA represented 1,400 students participating in musicals.
But, as they say in show business, the show must go on – not as an awards presentation – but as a virtual High School Musical Theatre Awards celebration showcasing the talents of cast and crew from 26 of the schools slated to participate in HSMTA. Televised in a variety show-styled broadcast, the show features videos submitted by the schools showcasing rehearsals, solos, dance numbers and backstage activity. The event will end with a performance of “Finale B (No Day but Today)” from the musical Rent that will include at least one artist from each participating school. There is also a red-carpet component on social media.
“Our hearts go out to the thousands of students and teachers across the region who worked so hard preparing for school spring musicals only to have them cancelled,” said Christine Sheehan, director of the School of Performing Arts at Proctors. “We felt it was extremely important to celebrate them this year, despite the difficult circumstances.”
The High School Musical Theatre Awards 2020 Special can be viewed live at 7 p.m. Saturday on May 16 several ways:
- Spectrum subscribers can view it on Channel 1302 in Albany and Schenectady. It will be rebroadcast at later dates.
- Verizon Fios subscribers in the Albany area can view it on Channel 37.
- And a live stream will be available at openstagemedia.org/channels/live-stream.
Students are also encouraged to participate from home in a virtual red carpet. Students can post a photo beginning at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 16 using the tag #HSMTAatProctors on Instagram to “walk” the red carpet on Proctors Instagram page.
The hosts of the show are Philip Morris, CEO of Proctors Collaborative, and Rex Smith, editor at large of the Times Union, HSMTA’s presenting sponsor.
The event is produced by the School of Performing Arts at Proctors and Collaborative Studios, an affiliate of Proctors Collaborative.
Schools represented in the pre-taped 2020 HSTMA broadcast event: Albany Academies, Berlin, Broadalbin-Perth, Catskill, Cohoes, Colonie Central, Columbia, Fonda-Fultonville, Fort Ann, Galway, Germantown, Gloversville, Hadley-Luzerne, Hoosic Valley, Hudson Falls, Mayfield, Mohonasen, Niskayuna, Northville, Queensbury, Schenectady, Schoharie, Scotia-Glenville, South Glens Falls, Troy and Voorheesville.
There is a suggested donation of $10 per household to view the event; viewers can text HSMTA to 41444 to give.
Cool Insuring is a sponsor of this event.
