TOWNSHEND — The Leland & Gray Players have been named the sole secondary school recipient of the 2014 Moss Hart Award.
Meanwhile, the Players open their current season with a 65-member cast in “The Wizard of Oz” on Nov. 13.
Presented annually at the New England Theatre Conference (NETC), the Moss Hart Award honors outstanding productions in four different categories from around New England.
Moss Hart (1904-1961) was a renowned dramatist and director who made major contributions to Broadway in its Golden Age with plays he wrote or co-authored with George S. Kaufman, including “Once in a Lifetime” and “You Can't Take It with You.” His Hollywood credits include screenplays for “A Star is Born” and “The Man Who Came to Dinner.”
Early last spring, the Players applied to the NETC to submit their May 2014 production of “A Midsummer Night's Dream” for the award which honors Hart's wit, sensitivity, and enthusiasm for life.
According to the NETC, “The award is given to productions of scripts that are strong both literally and artistically and that present stories of human courage and dignity.”
After accepting the Players' application, the NETC sent reviewers to two performances. To complete the process for consideration, director Ann Landenberger was required to submit supporting documents and photos.
Out of 10 secondary schools from across New England finally considered, the Players were selected for the Moss Hart Award in the secondary school division.
The Players' production of Shakespeare's “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” set in the early 19th century, featured set design by Madison Cannella ('15) and costumes by Tino Benson ('17) and Abby Wicker ('02).
Addie Mahdavi ('14) was assistant director and music coordinator. Nastia Stevens ('18) and Stephen Scott and Nate Laning, both '14, designed lights.
Music teacher Tom Walters created incidental music, dance tunes, and songs for the Players' “Dream” using Playford's English dance tunes popular in the early 1800s. Dale Stevens was technical director.
“A Midsummer Night's Dream” was the first production that the Players had submitted for consideration by the NETC.
Recipients in recent years have included Amity High School in Woodbridge, Conn; Phillips Andover Academy in Andover, Mass.; Staples High School in Westport, Conn.; Barrington (R.I.) High School; and Shrewsbury (Mass.) High School.
A contingent of 27 representing the Players traveled to the Westford Hotel and Conference Center in Westford, Mass., on Oct. 25 to receive the award.