Ridge Drama Club Wins Multiple Awards

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — The Ridge Drama Club ended the year on a high note as they recently won two awards at The Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards.

Ridge Drama Club had been recognized in the past for various productions, but this year's spring musical, "Cats", pulled in a record-breaking four nominations, resulting in two wins.

"Macavity", featuring Eileen Brady, Elisabeth Schmitt, Eve Armstrong, Samantha Rascio, Morgan Connell, Gabriella Hairston, Jordan Perla, brought home a win in the category for Outstanding Performance by a Small Ensemble.

Morgan Beatty, a junior, was also one of the winners of the Student Achievement Award for her work as a student director.

In addition, Ridge Drama Club was nominated for "The Jellicle Ball" for Outstanding Performance by a Large Cast, along with junior Max Rodriguez for Outstanding Performance by a Solo Actor for "Gus the Theater Cat."

The club this year had the opportunity to perform two Live Radio Plays for the holidays, produce a virtual showcase, attend the New Jersey Thespian Festival, and perform a live musical this past May.

Under the direction of Martha Harvey, the 100-plue member club took home several awards this spring including:

• Several members of the Ridge Drama Club ITS Troupe 7742 were awarded with a Superior Rating, with some advancing to a National level, after participating in the annual New Jersey Thespian Festival.
• Ridge Drama Club also received 18 Montclair State Foxy Award Nominations for their live productions of A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play, and It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play from this past Fall.
• The productions took home 4 awards this past May: Outstanding Production of an Unmasked Play, Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor in an Unmasked Play (Patrick Jotz as Jake Laurents), Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in an Unmasked Play, (Rachel Vanek as Lana Sherwood) and received a high superior score for both productions.
• The performances of A Christmas Carol and It's A Wonderful Life are available for viewing on the Ridge Drama Club YouTube Channel and Cats will be available soon.

For more information about Ridge Drama Club and future performances visit RidgeDramaClub.com.

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