H-ton Drama Club Captures Three Hunting-Tony Awards

Hunting-Tony Awards for Best Play (Kodachrome), Best Technical Production for a Play-Sound (Kodachrome) and Best Orchestra Pit (Mean Girls) were captured by the Huntington High School drama club and musicians at the annual awards ceremony at Harborfields late last week.

Huntington Town Board members Dr. David Bennardo and Theresa Mari presided over the affair, which was attended by hundreds of actors, actresses, musicians, stagehands and drama club advisors.

Hunting-Tony Awards judges were in attendance at every high school drama club production in the town over the past year, forming the basis for the nominations and the ultimate honors in each category.

“This year’s drama club productions were nothing short of incredible,” junior Dana Saramago said. “There were so many talented people involved in the productions. I don’t think they could have gone any better because of all the amazing people involved.”

The Hunting-Tony Awards ceremony brings to a close this year’s drama club program. Huntington drama club members are celebrating after staging two wildly successful productions; “Kodachrome” and “Mean Girls.”

“I feel that our drama club has worked exceptionally well this year,” Alex Tine said. “The effort that was put in by my peers was outstanding. I couldn’t ever ask for a more amazing group of performers to work with.”

Huntington High School stages a dramatic production in the fall and a musical in the spring. Auditions and rehearsals precede the plays by about two months.

“This year’s drama club had a stronger sense of friendship and teamwork than ever,” Alexa Schirripa said. “Through ups and downs, every single cast member pulled their weight to put on amazing productions. I couldn’t be prouder to have ‘Kodachrome’ and ‘Mean Girls’ be my senior shows.”

Huntington High School’s acting royalty turned out in full force for last week’s awards ceremony, which featured a well-deserved buzz for the talented teenagers, who came dressed in gorgeous outfits.

“I thought this year’s drama club season was as perfect as it could get,” Sam Soric said. “Although I was only in the musical, ‘Kodachrome’ was such a heartfelt show and allowed each student to be completely expressive in their given roles and ‘Mean Girls’ was so fun to be a part of as it was energetic and truly captured positive aspects of high school that we witness as students ourselves. I really felt like both productions showcased not only the talent of the individuals in the cast, but also how much we’ve grown as performers.”

The drama club members worked especially hard on both the fall and spring productions and the crowds that attended appreciated the efforts.

“I feel that we made large strides through both productions and the Best Play and Best Pit Orchestra awards and our stage crew award were so incredibly well deserved,” Mr. Soric said. “I am so sad to leave the drama club next year, but I have grown as an individual in this club in ways I never imagined!”

Huntington High School garnered 15 separate Hunting-Tony Award nominations, but the competition was fierce.

“I thought this year’s drama club was truly special,” Michaela Dopico said. “‘Kodachrome was such a heartfelt and introspective piece that gave so many of us the chance to stretch ourselves creatively and ‘Mean Girls’ was an absolute blast; energetic, bold, and full of unforgettable moments. I really felt like both productions showcased not only the depth of talent in our group but also how much we’ve grown together as a community.”

Many of the drama club members are seniors who will be graduating in a few weeks. Mr. Schwendemann is hopeful the club will be able to maintain the traditional high quality of its productions in 2025/26.

“I thought the Hunting-Tony’s were a great experience this year,” Lily Wasoski said. “The experience of being a nominee and getting to walk on the red carpet is so fun and memorable and I’m so glad I got to do it again this year for Best Supporting Actress in a Play. I’m also so happy that we got Best Play for Kodachrome this year. I think we as a club really put in a lot of effort into that show and I’m so glad that the Hunting-Tony judges recognized that.”

The name of next fall’s dramatic production will be announced in early September. The name of the spring musical will become known during the winter.

“I feel our drama club had an amazing year, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience to go out with,” Sofia Rodriguez said. “I believe both ‘Kodachrome’ and ‘Mean Girls’ were sensational. I had such an incredible time working on and performing in both. I’m so proud of everyone involved and wish only the best for the drama club in years to come.”

Participating in the drama club has been a large part of every member’s life. “As it has been my last year in the drama club at Huntington High School, everything has been bittersweet for me,” Liva Camarata said. “I feel that the drama club put so much time and energy into the production of ‘Mean Girls’ this year and truly exemplified commitment. Although it was a challenging production to put on and we faced occasional setbacks, we ended up putting on an amazing show that I was so proud to be a part of.”

Along with their counterparts from across the town, the Huntington High School actors and stagehands walked the red carpet outside of Harborfields prior to the Hunting-Tony Awards show.

“I really had fun at the Hunting-Tony’s,” Toni Reyes-Sorto said. “No matter how many awards we won, we’re still a strong cast and crew! I appreciate everyone’s work throughout the year with both productions. We are able to complete this work by how confident, motivated and creative everyone is.”

The drama club has always been a tightknit group. “This year I had the honor of being elected the drama club’s vice president and it was an experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world,” Isabelle Gregorio said. “Our club is so special compared to outside of school activities. I’ll never forget walking through the hallways after school at every audition and feeling tensions rise among my peers and friends who wanted to do the very best possible for our shows. Our fall production of ‘Kodachrome’ definitely taught me many lessons about myself and others, but the most important ones would be to never waste the opportunity to talk to someone, because you’ll never know if it will be the last time and second, whether you know it or not, you’ll always have someone who needs you around.”

The seniors felt emotional about their final turn on stage. “My last drama club production of ‘Mean Girls’ felt extremely bittersweet because although I had so much fun dancing and singing with my closest friends and the people who see me on my good days and bad ones, I’d be leaving my family,” Ms. Gregorio said. “I can confidently look back and know that through all our efforts, we did the very best we could. I couldn’t be more satisfied and grateful for the opportunities that I’ve landed these past few years.”

Huntington UFSD residents approved a capital reserve fund project to renovate the high school auditorium, including the stage area. The work is awaiting approval by the State Education Department.

“‘Kodachrome’ and ‘Mean Girls’ were really special productions and it meant a lot to work with our seniors during their final year in the drama club,” Walter Lopez said. “I’m so proud of everyone and everything we created this season and glad our work was recognized at the Hunting-Tonys.”

All things considered, this has been a banner year for Huntington’s actors and actresses. “Despite many hardships, the Huntington drama club still managed to pull through and put on an incredible performance with Kodachrome,’” Kyra Scott said. “The Huntington High School drama club has truly shown me an amazing time both on stage and off. ‘Mean Girls’ as a sendoff show for the seniors truly displays that we are going out with a bang!”

Huntington’s nominees in the Hunting-Tony’s drama category included:

• Best Play: “Kodachrome”

• Best Supporting Actor in a Play: Sergio Portillo – “Kodachrome”

• Best Scenery in a Play: “Kodachrome”

• Best Technical Production for a Play (Lighting): “Kodachrome”

• Best Technical Production for a Play (Sound): “Kodachrome”

Huntington’s nominees in the musical category at last week’s awards’ show included:

• Best Lead Actress in a Musical: Josie Sullivan

• Best Orchestra Pit: “Mean Girls”

• Best Scenery in a Musical: “Mean Girls”

• Best Stage Crew for a Musical: “Mean Girls”

• Best Ensemble in a Musical: “Mean Girls”

• Best Featured Actor in a Musical: James Stensland – “Mean Girls”

• Best Supporting Actress in a Musical: Lily Wasoski – “Mean Girls”

• Best Supporting Actor in a Musical: Walter Lopez – “Mean Girls”

• Best Technical Production for a Musical (Lighting): “Mean Girls”

• Best Technical Production for a Musical (Sound): “Mean Girls”