PHOTO PROVIDED Students perform a dance number during the 2024 Ray of Light Awards in Williamsport.

WILLIAMSPORT — From 2022 to 2023, 15 adjudicators, theater professionals from around the area, traveled all over the region to judge talent in many high school plays and musicals.

They came together recently to celebrate the Ray of Light Awards 2024 16th annual season. This ceremony is dedicated to the “best and brightest” in high school theater and extraordinary performances in leading, supporting and featured musical roles.

High schoolers from all over the region dressed in formal attire and walked the red carpet before the ceremony. Ray of Light’s mission is “to acknowledge the essential role of performing arts programs in the development of young adults, while recognizing emerging talent and providing a showcase to expand arts awareness and appreciation.”

Historian Joe Radley said he has been at the Community Arts Center since 1977 and has watched 14 ceremonies including the present 16th season of the Ray of Light Awards.

“I have seen so much growth in the schools and the dedication,” Radley said. “The support they get from the administration has grown tremendously and we have many students who have gone on to college.”

Jack Felix, who is also a retired attorney, said he is “one of the original co-founders and adjudicators of the awards for all 16 years along with Andree Phillips who is the president and many others. We are all very committed to the awards ceremony.”

“The Awards Ceremony is so important,” Keith Wagner, another adjudicator, emphasized. “I was a theatre kid and many kids do not get recognized. This ceremony gives them equal recognition. I am excited to be giving out the leading female award in a musical and in a drama. The female roles are doing a lot of the work, and we go as far away as Columbia County.”

Andree P. Phillips, cofounder of the Ray of Light Awards and adjudicator, recognized her beloved husband, Dr. Ray Phillips, who passed 17 years ago.

“We received so many donations to the theatre after Ray’s death,” Phillips said. “Ray was committed to acting. He was an educator and actor. The donations have been devoted to nurturing programs, enrichment and for the kids. We love the kids, and it means the world to me as we have over 500 kids here today. There is one Ray and one light!”

BJ Kropp, another adjudicator added she went “to every single show.” Kropp recollected she traveled to “eight plays and 14 musicals.”

Debbie, a volunteer at the Community Art Center said she “always signs up for this show even though I am not talented and admire all these kids, whatever degree of talent and just their gumption to get up on the stage and perform.” Matthew Shively, a parent of two of the students, Micah and Naomi Shively from Cat in the Hat, Shikellamy High School, said “We are so very proud of our son, Micah joining the theatre program and introducing the program to our younger daughter, Naomi. It is an exceptional opportunity for them to grow. It has become a family event at our school.”

“Alongside schoolwork, chores-if you did them, jobs and extra-curricular activities you dedicated time to theater,” Ray of Light coordinator Seth Sponhouse told the teens.

Sponhouse welcomed Rubie Natal, the new co-coordinator of Ray of Light Awards. Natal talked of how “Tonight is testament to your hard work and creativity. This year we had over 650 students involved in Ray of Lights Awards. From 14 school districts, we want to welcome Wellsboro High School here for the first time and welcome back Central Mountain High School.”

“Together, Rubie and the team here are happy at CTL (Community Theater League) to recognize all your achievements, awarding over $310,000 in scholarships and prizes,” Sponhouse added, “We have seen thousands of students pass through on the stage and attend the ceremony to go on and follow their dreams on and off stage.”

Aubyn Johnson, the Musical Director of the Danville Area High School stated “the Ray of light Awards is something we participated in under the Milton High School Program under direction of Russ Wynn. And he is everything to me. He was my mentor in life and sadly after his passing, I have the opportunity as the director to emulate him more. Bringing Danville to the Ray of Light Awards has been a full circle moment for me and just an honor to me for the students and their hard work. School districts focus a lot on sports and athletics, and we put in the same amount of work into theatre and don’t get the same recognition. Now is our time to do that. It’s great the Community Theatre League can give that recognition.”

The High School students accepted their awards with much laughter, tears, applause, and gratitude to the adjudicators. Kyle Huggins, CTL’S marketing coordinator, gave out Outstanding Achievement in Lighting and Sound to Milton Area High School for White Christmas.

“Tonight we celebrate those talented individuals who make sure we all look good and sound even better,” Huggins said.

Mayor Derek Slaughter gave out Outstanding Dramatic Performance in a Featured Role, saying, “all the nominees have captivated audiences with their powerful portrayals…with unforgettable performances.”

The award went to Jaslin Shand as Gilda in A Simpler Time, Williamsport Area High School and Outstanding Musical Performance in a Featured Role to Emily Shapiro as Beggar Women in Sweeney Todd, Central Columbia High School.

Jean Gold gave out the Gerry Gold Memorial Outstanding Achievement in Scenic Design to Shikellamy High School. She emphasized how “Gerry believed in the transformative power of theatre where every set was a canvas and every production a masterpiece waiting to unfold-to make a lasting impression on audiences and fellow artists.”

Michael Haven, Russ Wynn’s husband, gave out the new award Russ Wynn Achievement Award.

“This is a true honor to be on this award as Russ was all about inspiration,” Haven said. “You were all inspired to tap into stage and that’s what Russ is all about.”

Haven proudly gave the award to Ellen Boyer of Shikellamy High School, who Haven said, “has made an indelible mark on the Shikellamy School District. Ellen Boyer’s legacy is one of passion, dedication and excellence. Her lifetime of achievements stands as a testament to what one can accomplish with dedication, creativity and an unwavering commitment to fostering young talent.”

Boyer gave a tribute to “Rusty” as she calls him, as she accepted the award.

“Rusty was my student, colleague and most importantly my dear friend – my students were blessed to work with him on two musicals,” she said. “I wish with all my heart Rusty was standing here receiving this award. His light is felt and is carried on.”

Among all the many awards, there were 15 high schools who participated, and all were recognized for their outstanding talent. The Dr. Raymond Phillips Memorial Award for Best Drama Program was presented by Andree P. Phillips and was awarded to High School Programs which had both a Play and a Musical. The High Schools were Central Mountain High School, Mama Mia and Dancing at Lughnasa; Hughesville Area High School, Into the Woods and One Stoplight Town; Jersey Shore Area High School, Damn Yankees and The Red Velvet Cake War; Loyalsock Township High School, Anything Goes and The Creature Creeps; Milton Area High School, White Christmas and Makin’ it; Montoursville Area High School, Freaky Friday and Hurry Up and Wait; Shikellamy High School, Seussical the Musical and That’s The Spirit and South Williamsport Area Jr./Sr. High School, Legally Blonde and Peter and The Starcatcher.

All other high schools were highly recognized for extraordinary talent – Benton Area High School-Catch Me If You Can (Musical), Central Columbia High School-Sweeney Todd (Musical) Danville Area High School in Anastasia (Musical), Meadowbrook Christian School-Seussical the Musical (Musical), Southern Columbia High School-Little Shop of Horrors (Musical) Wellsboro Area High School in Shrek (Musical), and Williamsport Area High School-A Simpler Time (Play).