The Lindy Award ceremony is an annual recognition of the projects, performances, and productions the school’s theater program put on during the school year.
This year marks the 17th anniversary of the Lindy’s, which was conducted May 16 in the Hanes Auditorium.
In the past, award recipients were chosen by members of the International Thespian Society. This year, however, recipients were selected by theater teacher Thomas Drago and technical director Andrew Way.
“We ran the award selections differently this year because we haven’t held them in person for three years,” Drago said.
The Thespian of the Year award was given to senior Linden Clemens for his dedication to the technical theater program; the Big Cheese Senior Award was given to senior Julian Brown for his leadership and mentorship in the theater program; and the Outstanding Achievement in Student Directing was awarded to senior Grace Davis for her oversight of Mamma Mia!
There were three awards for the Outstanding First-Year Technical Theater Student, given to freshmen Amana Aguilar, Eileen Jiang and Orly White. The award for Outstanding Returning Technical Theater Student was went to sophomore Hyemin Im, junior Lily McCarthy and senior Lola Oliverio.
Junior Amelia Brinson, senior Mia Kalish and senior Mary Menelik were honored as Outstanding Performers in a Leading Role, while freshman Ellen Cruickshank and sophomores Armand Nardi and Walker Smith were named Outstanding Performers in a Supporting Role.
Nardi credits his award to his performance as Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol, a role and production he feels he put a lot of effort into.
“It was a very unique experience. I had never been in anything like [A Christmas Carol] before and, because of the small audience and short run time, we performed the play more than ten times,” Nardi said. “After all of that, it feels good to be awarded for it, especially considering how great my fellow cast members were.”
Cruickshank’s debut as a performer was in Chapel Hill High School’s spring musical, Mamma Mia!, where Cruickshank played Lisa, best friend and bridesmaid to the protagonist.
“Winning this award means a lot because, about three months ago, I didn’t even think I would get cast in a show, and now I’m here winning awards for my performance,” Cruickshank said. “I’m really proud of myself, and I’m so happy to be a part of this amazing theater program.”
Aguilar has been in theater programs since middle school but decided this year to pursue the more hands-on and artistic side of things and join the technical theater program.
“I think helping wherever I was needed and being ready to try new things helped [me win the award],” Aguilar said. “To me, the award means that my actions and contributions to the program are appreciated and significant enough to be recognized in this award.”
Im acted as assistant stage manager for A Christmas Carol and run crew for Mamma Mia!.
“I think my passion for this theater program earned me the award,” Im said. “I really enjoy participating, working and learning in the theater. That feeling makes me want to make better results.”
Drago believes that the Lindy Award Ceremony is a “great opportunity for the students to celebrate their achievements and bring closure to the season.”
“This has been one of the strongest seasons we’ve had in our drama department,” Drago sai. “The students are one big family who support and mentor one another, and I really appreciate how hard they work and how dedicated they are.”
