Festival Information

2009 CDA Festival Winners

This year's festival was held at
Ridgefield High School
March 27 and 28, 2009
Festival Director is Marylee Belanger
Festival Host is Sherry Cox

2008 CDA Festival Winners
2008- Connecticut Drama Association Festival
Host- Bill Prenetta, Ellington High School
Festival Director- Sherry Cox

Shows performed:
Ellington High School - Booby Trap
Haddam Killingworth High School - Youth
E.O. Smith High School - Rise and Rise of Daniel Rocket
Ridgefield High School - Overtones
Hall High School - Of Mice and Men
Westhill High School - Good Woman of Szechwan
Pomperaug High School - Acid in Wonderland
Stamford High School - Soap Opera
New Canaan High School - Most Massive Woman Wins
Sacred Heart Academy - Mill Girls
Guilford High School - The Romancers
Daniel Hand High School - Present Tense

Stage Manager’s Award
"For the backstage crew that in the opinion of the host’s schools staff is most organized, works in a spirit of cooperation among themselves and with the host school’s crew, and demonstrates courtesy and respect."
Haddam Killingworth High School

Distinguished Service Award
Lenore Grunko, E. O. Smith High School

People’s Choice Award
"This award goes to the school that was voted best by all of the schools attending Festival."
Ridgefield High School

The following two awards are determined by the Technical Adjudicators

Technical Design Award
Jamie Wagner of Ridgefield High School for Costuming

Technical Design Honorable Mention

Outstanding Productions
"These productions have incorporated and integrated all aspects of theater into a superior work of art. These awards are given to the top two schools ranking first and second, without regard to order. They are selected to represent CT at the NEDC Festival."
In no particular order:
Stamford High School for Soap Opera
New Canaan High School for Most Massive Woman Wins

Theatrical Excellence
"These awards are given to three schools which are considered runners up in the Outstanding Production category and have demonstrated excellence in the theater arts in all components of production. They are presented here in no particular order."
Haddam Killingworth High School for Youth
Pomperaug High School for Acid in Wonderland
Sacred Heart Academy for Mill Girls

Outstanding Actor/Actress
(The maximum allowed is 4)
"For truly superior work in creating and developing characters in an artistic manner."
Derick Deloro as Lennie, Hall High School
Sarah Corapi from New Canaan High School
Meghan Crosby as Hannah Chafee, Sacred Heart Academy
Jake Levitt as Repairman, Stamford High School

All Connecticut Cast "Twelve individual awards are given for excellent work in creating characters that are believable, often complex and textured, and truthful to style of the production."

Nick Zak as Doug Willar, Daniel Hand High School
Andy Belt as George, Hall High School
Andrew Bryce as Richard, E. O. Smith High School
Sasha Prell as Percinet, Guilford High School
Tori Esposito from New Canaan High School
Kevin Goldwaithe as Soldier from Ellington High School
Greg Wright as March Hare, Pomperaug High School
Nick Moreno as Cheshire Cat, Pomperaug High School
Eliana Catalano as Lemuel Gulliver, Haddam Killingworth High School
Danielle Dietzek as Margaret from Ridgefield High School
Iame Manucci as Washing Machine from Stamford High School
Victoria Esposito as Mabel from Stamford High School

Honorable Mention - Acting
Corey Welden as Jeffry, E.O. Smith High School
Lauren Bochicchio, New Canaan High School
Samantha Skeels, As Sister Anne, Ellington High School
Bobby Williams as Drill Sergeant, Ellington High School
Jay Purwin as Tweedle Dee and King, Pomperaug High School
Olivia Carr as Tweedle Dum and Doormouse, Pomperaug High School
Arantza Solabarrieta as the Duke of Cornwall, H-K High School
Bethany Burke as Millie Steadman, Sacred Heart High School
Kevin Downing as Ephraim Chafee, Sacred Heart High School
Alex Accarnero as Wong, Westhill High School
Nicholas Amico as the MaitreD'/Madman- Stamford High School

Strength of Each School
Ellington High School-Booby Trap- Stage Composition
Haddam Killingworth High School- Youth-Attention to Detail
E.O. Smith High School- Rise and Rise of Daniel Rocket- Stage Composition
Ridgefield High School- Overtones- Theatrical Collaboration
Hall High School- Of Mice and Men- Execution of Concept
Pomperaug High School- Acid in Wonderland- Physical Characterization
Stamford High School- Soap Opera- Comic Timing
New Canaan High School- Most Massive Woman Wins-Use of Vocal Characterizations
Sacred Heart Academy- Mill Girls- Transforming History into Theater
Guilford High School- The Romancers-Interpretation of Classical Drama
Daniel Hand High School- Present Tense- Comic Timing

Ensemble Acting Award
"One school receives this award. This award is for a cast or part of a cast such as a Greek Chorus in which a group works closely together in a seamless fashion. One actor does not stand out because all of the actors are so strong."
Sacred Heart Academy - Mill Girls
Each of the following is given to only one school:
Outstanding Use of Voice - New Canaan High School- Most Massive Woman Wins
Outstanding Movement – Pomperaug High School- Acid in Wonderland
Outstanding Timing - Stamford High School- Soap Opera
Outstanding Characterization - Hall High School - Of Mice and Men

Technical Awards:
Technical Awards to be given by the Festival Responders to the technical elements present in the productions Each of the following technical awards is given to only one school:
Outstanding Costumes (non-rented only) - Pomperaug High School - Acid in Wonderland
Outstanding Scenery - Ridgefield High School - Overtones
Outstanding Lighting - Haddam Killingworth High School - Youth
Outstanding Make-up - Hall High School - Of Mice and Men
Outstanding Sound - Haddam Killingworth High School - Youth
Outstanding Properties - Westhill High School - Good Woman of Szechwan
Outstanding Special Effects - Pomperaug High School - Acid in Wonderland

Responders may create special awards at their discretion. The following were awarded:
Outstanding Musical Composition- Alex Mack - Ellington High School - Booby Trap
Outstanding Achievement in total theater, writing, directing and acting - Sara Doble - Pomperaug High School - Acid in Wonderland
Outstanding Achievement in Live Musical Accompaniment - Guilford High School - The Romancers
Outstanding Stage Direction by a student- Amy Roy - Haddam Killingworth High School - Youth

2007 CDA Festival Awards E. O. Smith High School Storrs, CT March 23-24, 2007 Festival Director- Bill Prenetta Festival Host- Lenore Grunko THE PLAYS:
E.O. Smith High School	The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie
Ridgefield High School	Suddenly Last Summer by T.Williams
Daniel Hand High School	Am I Blue by Beth Henley
Rockville High School	Was It Something I Read? By C. Donahue
Pomperaug High School	The Tempest by W. Shakespeare
Ellington High School	Property Rites by Alan Haehnel
Stamford High School	Life Force: A Shoah Love Story by M.Limone, Mary Lee Grisanti and Tamar Gershberg
Hall High School	I Never Saw Another Butterfly by C. Rasuponti
Westhill High School	Scenes from Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare
Haddam-Killingworth High School	Aria Da Capo by E. Millay
Amity Regional High	The Compleat Works of Wll. Shkspr. by A.Long

STRENGTH OF EACH SCHOOL REPRESENTED AT THE FESTIVAL
Interpretation of Classic Drama	Haddam-Killingworth High School	Aria Da Capo
Execution of Concept	Westhill High School	Romeo and Juliet
Comic Rhythm	Daniel Hand High School	Am I Blue?
Transforming Literature into Theater	Rockville High School	Was It Something I Read?
Transforming History into Theater	Stamford High School	Life Force: A Shoah Love Story
Stage Composition	E.O. Smith High School	The Mousetrap
Commitment to Concept	Ellington High School	Property Rites
Attention to Detail	Ridgefield High School	Suddenly Last Summer
Execution of Mood	Hall High School	I Never Saw Another Butterfly
Magical Movement	Pomperaug High School	The Tempest
Comic Energy	Amity High School	The Compleat Works of Wll. Shkspr.

People’s Choice Award

"This award goes to the school that was voted best by all of the schools attending the Festival."
Ellington High School for Property Rites

Technical Design Award

Nicole Viesta of Stamford High School for her lighting design of Life Force

Technical Design Honorable Mention

Laura Petrucci of Stamford High School for her costume design of Life Force

Ensemble Acting Award

"One school receives this award. This award is for a cast or part of a cast such as a Greek Chorus in which a group works closely together in a seamless fashion. One actor does not stand out because all of the actors are so strong."
Stamford High School for Life Force

Outstanding Actor/Actress

"For truly superior work in creating and developing characters in an artistic manner."

Michael DiBaccaro as John Polk Richards in Am I Blue
Cynthia Brunelle as Ashbe Williams in Am I Blue
Adrienne Camm as Ariel in The Tempest
Kevin Goldwaithe as Kyle McManus in Property Rites
Stephanie Cahill as Eva in Life Force

All Connecticut Cast

"For excellent work in creating characters that are believable, often complex and textured, and truthful to style of the production."

Erika Noll as Mrs. Boyle in The Mousetrap
Aidan Eastwood-Paticchio as Giles Rolston in The Mousetrap
Bartholomew Flaherty as Holden Caulfield in Was It Something I Read?
Abigail Boulrice as Clarisse McClellan in Was It Something I Read?
Emily Reed as Figure 1 in Property Rites
Samara Shwidock as Old Woman in Life Force
Hannah Kapplan as Young Raja in I Never Saw Another Butterfly
Mark Nechols as Romeo in Scenes from Romeo and Juliet
Daisy Schmitt as Columbine in Aria Da Capo
Andrew Eldredy in Compleat Works of Wllm. Shkspr. (abridged)
Nick Hattam in Compleat Works of Wllm. Shkspr. (abridged)
Shani Spencer in Compleat Works of Wllm. Shkspr. (abridged)

Honorable Mention For Acting

McKenzie Gibson as Miss Foxhill in Suddenly Last Summer
Olivia Carr as Trinculo in The Tempest
Ian Johnson as Ferdinand in The Tempest
Patricia Doolin as Miranda in The Tempest
Kayla Pavia as Anni in Life Force
Andy Belt as Honza in I Never Saw Another Butterfly

Stage Managers’ Award

"For the backstage crew that in the opinion of the host’s schools staff is most organized, works in a spirit of cooperation among themselves and with the host school’s crew, and demonstrates courtesy and respect."
Ridgefield High School

Outstanding Use of Voice

in characterization in The Mousetrap, E. O. Smith High School

Outstanding Movement

for fight choreography in Romeo and Juliet, Westhill High School

Outstanding Timing

Am I Blue, Daniel Hand High School

Outstanding Characterization

The Mousetrap, E. O. Smith High School

Technical Awards
Outstanding Costumes (non-rented)	Aria Da Capo	Haddam Killingworth HS
Outstanding Scenery	Property Rites	Ellington HS
Outstanding Lighting	Property Rites	Ellington HS
Outstanding Make-Up	Property Rites	Ellington HS
Outstanding Sound	Life Force	Stamford HS
Outstanding Properties	Aria Da Capo	Haddam Killingworth HS

Special Awards
Outstanding Student Direction

Shannon Tobin, Am I Blue? Daniel Hand High School

Outstanding Set Dressing

Suddenly Last Summer, Ridgefield HS

Outstanding Playwriting

Caitlin Donahue, Was It Something I Read? Rockville HS

Theatrical Excellence

"These are given to three schools which are considered runners up in the outstanding production category and have demonstrated excellence in the theater arts in all components of production. They are not announced in any particular order."
Aria Da Capo, Haddam Killingworth High School
The Mousetrap, E. O. Smith High School
Am I Blue?, Daniel Hand High School

Outstanding Productions

"These productions have incorporated and integrated all aspects of theater into a superior work of art. These awards are given to the top two schools ranking first and second, without regard to order. They are selected to represent CT at the NEDC Festival."
Life Force, a Shoah Love Story, Stamford High School
Property Rites, Ellington High School

2006 CDA Awards
Recognitions
Strength of Each School
Amity HS - Interpretation of Classic Drama

Daniel Hand HS - Execution of Concept

EOS HS - Comic Rhythm

East Hampton HS - Comic Rhythm

Ellington HS - Transforming History into Theater

Greenwich HS - Interpretation of Classic Drama

Guilford HS - Interpretation of Classic Drama

Haddam - Killingworth HS - Transforming History Into Theater

Ridgefield HS - Stage Composition

Rockville HS - Character Development

Stamford HS - Attention tp Detail

Westhill HS - Execution of Concept

Awards:
Distinguished Service Award - Sherry Cox, Theater teacher and director for Ridgefield High School
People's Choice Award - E. O. Smith High School, All in the Timing

Technical Design Award - Laura Petrucci - Costume Design for Stamford's High School's production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead
Technical Design Honorable Mention - Justin Macchio - Lighting Design for E. O. Smith's production of Urinetown

Ensemble Acting Award - Ridgefield High School Second Best Bed
Outstanding Actor/Actress - (No order)
Anne Tomaoka - Ridgefield High School, Second Best Bed
Shane Kegler - E.O. Smith High School, All in the Timing
Steven Jaworski - E. O. Smith High School, All in the Timing
Rachel Rosado - Stamford High School, The Long Goodbye

All Connecticut Cast - For Acting (no order)
Sean O'Connor - Daniel Hand High School
Emily Reed - Ellington High School
Jessica Tuttle - East Hampton High School
Ben Baxley - Haddam Killingworth High School
Aiden Eastwood - E. O. Smith High School
Aaron Konopka - Guilford High School
Libby Protzman - Guilford High School
Sarah O'Sullivan - Greenwich High School
Tim Garlid - Greenwich High School
Brendon Foley - Rockville High School
Dylan Fedora - East Hampton High School
Lauren Hafer - Westhill High School

Honorable Mention For Acting
David Gerhardt
Sally Slater
Bryan Dmuchowski
Zack Morello
Liza Renzulli

Stage Managers' Award -
Rockville High School

Outstanding Movement - Second Best Bed. Ridgefield High School

Outstanding Timing - All in the Timing, E. O. Smith High School

Outstanding Characterization - Second Best Bed. Ridgefield High School

Technical Awards: Technical Awards to be given by the Festival Responders to the technical elements present in the productions. Each of the following technical awards are given to only one school.

Outstanding Costumes - Silenced on Barbour Street - Ellington High School

Outstanding Scenery - MacBeth, Greenwich High School

Outstanding Lighting - The Long Goodbye, Stamford High School

Outstanding Make-Up - Endgame, Guilford High School

Outstanding Sound - MacBeth, Greenwich High School

Outstanding Properties - Endgame, Guilford High School

Outstanding Special Effects - The 11th, Haddam-Killingworth High School
Outstanding Student Direction - Devon Burke and Devon McCorkle, Ridgefield High School
Theatrical Excellence - "These awards are given to three schools, ranking 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th. If one or both of the top ranking productions are unable to attend the NEDC Festival, then these schools are asked to attend in order of their ranking.
3. Greenwich High School - MacBeth
4. Stamford High School - The Long Goodbye
5. E. O. Smith High School - All in the Timing

Outstanding Productions - "These productions have incorporated and integrated all aspects of theater into a superior work of art. These awards are given to the top two schools ranking first and second, without regard to order. They are selected to represent CT at the NEDC Festival."
1. Ridgefield High School, Second Best Bed
2. Guilford High School, Endgame