PHS 'Mean Girls' wins 2 Marquee Awards

PHS 'Mean Girls' wins 2 Marquee Awards, 14 nominations, 4 honorable mentions
Posted on 05/15/2024
This is the image for the news article titled PHS 'Mean Girls' wins 2 Marquee Awards, 14 nominations, 4 honorable mentionsThe Piscataway High School production of "Mean Girls" won two Central Jersey Marquee Awards on April 15 at the Carteret Performing Arts Center.
PHS won awards for Best Production Number and Best Scenery at an awards ceremony worthy of Broadway. It was streamed live on YouTube.
The PHS cast also performed at the ceremony. The cast sang "Apex Predator" (at the 47-minute mark of the video above) and senior Ashley Hamilton took part in a medley of all the Best Leading Actress nominees (1:03 mark).
"Art changes everything - I believe this to my core - and it was so evident Wednesday night," said Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts Rebekah Sterlacci. "Our future is bright with the creativity, empathy, and talent of our students! A huge thank you to Mike Yoson - we would not be entered in all of these award programs without his hard work, organization, and passion to raise our program to one of the best in the state!"
Accepting the awards for PHS were director Mike Yoson (Best Scenery at the 43-minute mark) and choreographer Jessica Taylor (Best Production Number at the 1:15 mark).
acceptance speech
"On behalf of all of the students, I would like to thank our district administration and Board of Ed for allowing programs like our to flourish," Taylor said in her acceptance speech. "Thank you to our Supervisor of VPA Rebekah Sterlacci for being the greatest support system we could ever ask for. For the students of the PHS Drama Club and this production of 'Mean Girls,' thank you so much for helping to bring this story to life and letting me push you out of your comfort zone. ... I'm so impressed with all of you."
acceptance speech "Thanks to Matt Nickles for building our amazing set," Yoson said in his acceptance speech. "He said yes to all my ideas and just did it. It was amazing. I want to thank our Drama Club parents who dedicated their weekends to building. We're so grateful for you. I want to thank Erik Hall and our incredible running crew who make our scenic transitions seamless. Our dedicate student artists who painted every detail of the set. I was so impress by their creativity and skill throughout this process. Dorothy Amme, our wonderful art teacher at the high school and our AP art students who created our beautiful pop art creations. They were simply stunning and we're so grateful. Thank you so much Carteret PAC, this is awesome."
board members at ceremony
Board of Education members Sarah Rashid, President Shantell Cherry, and Nancy Salgado-Cowan were at the Marquee Awards to support and cheer for the PHS cast of "Mean Girls."
Here are the PHS nominations: Best Overall Production Best Lead Actress: Ashley Hamilton as Regina George Best Ensemble Member: Jacob Hall as Kevin Gnapoor Best Production Number: "Where Do You Belong?" Best Lighting Best Scenery Best Costumes Best Hair and Makeup Best Student Led Choreography: Jaison Labung, Mya Ware, Julia Costa, Faith Patrick Best Student Led Scenic Design Best Student Led Vocal Direction: Sophia Verzi Best Student Led Stage Management: Shiloh Roache, Adrian Pelszinski, Azrael Mark, Anjali Narine Best Choreography Best Direction
Here are the PHS honorable mentions:
Best Supporting Actor: Kai Salgado-Cowan as Damian Hubbard Best Ensemble Member: Abigail Jones as Ms. Norbury Best Chorus Best Music Direction