Bay High wins ‘Best Scenic Design’ at recent Dazzle Awards

Bay High School rising senior Nicholas Szekely (Jack), left, and rising sophomore JR Kenney (Crutchie) are shown in a scene during the school's spring musical, "Newsies." Nicholas was nominated for Best Actor for the recent Playhouse Square Dazzle Awards.

View Image Gallery

During its first year participating in the coveted Dazzle Awards, Bay High School was nominated for 10 awards for its spring musical, "Disney's Newsies: The Broadway Musical," in categories such as Best Actor, Best Student Orchestra, Best Musical and Best Scenic Design.

During the Saturday, May 20, Dazzle Awards ceremony at Playhouse Square, Bay High School received its first Dazzle Award for Best Scenic Design. Recent Bay High School graduate Jack Oster accepted the award on behalf of the entire production team, including Director Luke Scattergood and Technical Director Keith Stevens.

Bay High School’s production of "Newsies" featured about 125 Bay Village Schools students, from elementary through high school, who were involved with the musical, ranging from cast and crew to pit orchestra. "Newsies" sold out three of its four performances and was 30 seats shy of selling out the fourth, and was touted by attendees as one of the best productions mounted at Bay High Auditorium.

Scattergood was surprised by all the nominations Bay High School’s "Newsies" production received, especially during the first year of eligibility. He said it’s always an honor to be nominated, but he really wanted the students to just be proud of their work.

“We have great community support and great administrative support right down the line,” Scattergood said.

The Dazzle Awards, presented by Pat and John Chapman, inspire and honor excellence in high school musical theater, and recognize the importance of musical theater and arts education within the northeast Ohio community. The program offers arts education opportunities throughout the school year, including professional master classes, audition workshops, technical apprenticeships and more. These opportunities culminate regionally at Playhouse Square with the Dazzle Awards Ceremony, modeled after the Tony Awards, to recognize outstanding musical theater productions and students.