FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Nicole Saffer, 386-681-2794
Or Nicole.Saffer@SeasideMusicTheater.org

SMT 2004 Blazing Star Awards Honor Area Student Actors

Tony’s for teens? You bet. Seaside Music Theater invites one and all to attend its 3rd Annual Blazing Star Awards, honoring talented high school thespians, which will be held at SMT Downtown on Friday, May 7, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. While our school system places heavy emphasis on our area's athletic stars, little is done to reward our artists. Young theatrical performers deserve recognition for the hard work and dedication they pour into their musical roles, and SMT would like the Greater Volusia County area to join us in honoring their talent.

Every school year, Seaside Music Theater visits high schools in Volusia and Flagler counties that produce a main stage musical, adjudicating only the student actor. Four adjudicators attend each student performance and critique character development, diction, energy, focus, vocal technique, control, pitch, volume, movement or dance skills, coordination, timing, and precision. Scores from each of the four adjudicators are averaged and compiled at the end of the year to determine five nominees in four categories. Adjudicators are asked NOT to evaluate the performer in relation to the school’s budget for sets, costumes, lighting, properties, sound, or even staging. The student actor is evaluated only on their acting, vocal, and movement skills. Seaside Music Theater sends only working theater professionals to adjudicate student performers.

This year, the awards will honor 25 student actors with Blazing Star nominations and honor five of them with awards in the following categories: Outstanding Actor/Actress Performance in a Lead Role, Outstanding Actor/Actress Performance in a Supporting Role, and our new award, Outstanding Featured Ensemble Role. High schools producing a musical and under consideration this school year include Seabreeze, Atlantic, Deland, Mainland, Spruce Creek, Father Lopez, Flagler-Palm Coast, Warner Christian, and the District III production.

The semi-formal gala ceremony will begin with performances of musical numbers from the student shows presented this year, showcasing their extraordinary talent. Award presentations will follow by prestigious presenters, including Mayor Yvonne Scarlett-Golden, Volusia's new Superintendent Dr. Margaret Smith, Flagler Superintendent Dr. Robert Corley, Bright House Network's Jan Edwards, and professional actress Susie Roeloefsz. There will be a reception with refreshments and dancing immediately following in the Broadway ballroom, where you can mingle with the up-and-coming stars of Volusia and Flagler County.

Please come and applaud this year’s most devoted student performers! The entire evening is completely free of charge and open to all. If you have any questions, please call. Gary Cadwallader at 386-681-2721.

Fast Facts:

3rd annual Blazing Star Awards

Date: Friday, May 7, 2004

Time: Ceremony: 7:00 p.m.

Place: SMT Downtown, 176 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach

Dress: Semi-formal

Cost: NONE