Finalists Announced for the Triangle Rising Stars

Along with Marchael Bayne, Theatre in the Park and ABC 11, DPAC has just announced the finalists of this year's Triangle Rising Stars, part of the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (NHSMTA). This year marks the largest participation ever with 39 high school shows and 150 students competing for their chance to shine.

The Triangle Rising Stars Live Showcase and Awards show will take place at DPAC on Tuesday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m. starring student finalists from Triangle and surrounding area high school musical productions.

Tickets are $10 (+ ticket fees) for the Live Showcase and Awards Show at DPAC are on sale now:

-Online at DPACnc.com

-Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Ticket Center at DPAC: 919.680.2787, 123 Vivian Street, Durham, NC

-Ticketmaster.com / Ticketmaster Charge by phone at 800.745.3000

*All ticket sales support the Triangle Rising Stars program.

"Year after year, we see unbelievable talent from these students around the Triangle," said Megan Rindoks, DPAC Community Outreach Manager. "To be able to take these top talents and let them shine on A real BROADWAY stage along with students from around the country is astounding. We're so proud to be a part of the Nederlander family who started the Jimmy Awards that showcases and fosters the talent that these students have to offer."

The Triangle Rising Stars Best Actor and Best Actress scholarships will be awarded following a final closed audition process and several days of workshopping and rehearsals to take place leading up to the showcase ticketed event. The judging panel began the audition process in the fall by attending and adjudicating high school musicals from a record number of applicants.

As a regional qualifier program, the Triangle Rising Stars Best Actor and Best Actress recipients will also be invited to attend the National High School Musical Theater Awards in New York City on June 18 - June 26, 2018. This all-expense paid trip allows students from across the country to train with Broadway actors, directors and producers. Their week of coaching, auditions and rehearsals concludes with a sold-out performance on Broadway at the Minskoff Theatre (Home of Disney's The Lion King©) where the coveted JimmyTM Awards for Best Performance by an Actor and Best Performance by an Actress are announced.

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TRIANGLE RISING STARS BEST ACTRESS FINALISTS:

Allie Jessee (Lily, The Secret Garden, Cary High School, Wake County)

Anna Vtipil (Vanessa, In The Heights, Athens Drive High School, Wake County)

Averi Zimmermann (Nina, In The Heights, Athens Drive High School, Wake County)

Caroline Segars (Millie, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Eastern Alamance High School, Alamance County)

Delia Vaisey (Princess Winifred, Once Upon a Mattress, Chapel Hill High School, Orange County)

Elena Holder (Olive Ostrovsky, The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee, Durham School of the Arts, Durham County)

Lexi Yauch (Janet Van de Graff, The Drowsy Chaperone, Clayton High School, Johnston County)

Mya Ison (Sarah, Ragtime, Enloe High School, Wake County)

Samantha Zarate Rangel (Nina, In The Heights, Jordan Matthews High School, Chatham County)

Tara Clinkscales (Martha, The Secret Garden, Cary High School, Wake County)

TRIANGLE RISING STARS BEST ACTOR FINALISTS:

Adam Green (The Cat in the Hat, Seussical The Musical, Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School, Wake County)

Aidan O'Connell (Detective Carl Hanratty, Catch Me If You Can, CE Jordan High School, Durham County)

Benjamin Richardson-Piche (Frank Jr, Catch Me If You Can, CE Jordan High School, Durham County)

Dylan Gibson (Leaf Coneybear, The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee, DSA, Durham County)

Evan Martschenko (Neville Craven, The Secret Garden, Cary High School, Wake County)

Garrett Noga (Robbie, The Wedding Singer, Leesville Road High School, Wake County)

Kenneth Andrews (Oliver Warbucks, Annie, Graham High School, Alamance County)

Sterling Jones (Gaston, Beauty and the Beast, Broughton High School, Wake County)

Tyler Ellis (Robert Martin, The Drowsy Chaperone, Clayton High School, Johnston County)

Vishal Kasula (Benny, In The Heights, Athens Drive High School, Wake County)

"Partnering with DPAC for Triangle Rising Stars has been the thrill of a lifetime. I am so proud to be able to nurture young talent that is going to be recognized on a national level, and on the grandest of stages - Broadway!" noted Marchael Bayne, leading community partner of Triangle Rising Stars.

The Triangle Rising Stars Awards event on May 15 will be hosted by Amber Rupinta, of ABC 11 Eyewitness News. The 20 finalists will be featured in two group performances, as well as a medley of individual performances where each student will showcase their own solos. Along with the Best Actor and Best Actress awards, accolades will also be given for Best Musical and Best Ensemble. From the participating schools, four finalists have already been chosen for these honors:

BEST MUSICAL:

Seussical The Musical, Apex Friendship High School

Barnum, Holly Springs High School

Ragtime, Enloe High School

Catch Me If You Can, C.E. Jordan High School

BEST ENSEMBLE:

The Secret Garden, Cary High School

High School Musical, Hillside High School

In The Heights, Athens Drive High School

The Drowsy Chaperone, Clayton High School

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For more information about the Triangle Rising Stars Program, visit: http://www.dpacnc.com/trs
For more information about the National High School Musical Theatre Awards/ JimmyTM Awards, visit: http://nhsmta.com

 

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