Many working actors and actresses from New Jersey were honored with “Rising Star Awards” from Millburn’s Paper Mill Playhouse, a community theater, when they were still in high school.
A fresh round of winners has been revealed, including students from Columbia High School in Maplewood and South Orange.
Ridge High School in Basking Ridge won the most coveted honor, the award for the overall best high school play, for their rendition of “Matilda.”
Columbia High School, on the other hand, had a great showing, earning many awards, a feat shared by only a few high schools in the state.
The following two Rising Star Awards were given to Columbia’s production of “Newsies”:
- Outstanding Achievement in Choreography and Staging
- Outstanding Achievement in Scenic Design
Jonah Ruderman of Livingston High School was the only other Essex County award winner, winning Outstanding Solo Version for his performance of “If I Were a Rich Man.”
