Awards

Pascack Theatre is proud to participate in the following local awards ceremonies, honoring excellence in high school theatre.

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Montclair State University Foxy Awards (Plays & Musicals)

STANJ Governor's Awards Competition

Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards (Musicals)

Helen Hayes Youth Theatre Metros Awards (Musicals)

BergenPAC High School Musical Awards (Musicals)

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From 2008-2025, PV Theatre received recognition several times.​ Of note, at the MSU Theatre Night Foxy Awards, the program has been awarded Outstanding Production (of a Drama/Comedy/Virtual Musical) four times, and our directors have been nominated for Outstanding Direction or 'Pushing the Envelope in Academic Theatre' eight times, winning for Little Shop of Horrors in 2022.  

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In 2014, our directors, Tom & Merielle Lupfer were awarded the Jo Ann Fox Award, given to a director who is: "an inspiration to his/her students, whose passion for theatre is infectious, and who creates a community, a loving extended family in his/her school in the process of producing high quality productions."  

 

BergenPAC High School Musical Awards

(2 awards, 8 additional nominations in 2 years of participation)

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2024- High School Musical

NOMINATIONS

• Production Set Design - Mr. Nick Bernard

• Outstanding Featured Performer - Taylor McKessie played by Maya Teckwani

• Best Female Identified Supporting Role - Ms. Darbus played by Brianna Finch

• Best Male Identified Supporting Role - Ryan Evans played by James Campenot

• Best Female Identified Lead - Gabriella Montez played by Olivia Carpenter

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2023- Chicago

WINNER

• Outstanding Lighting Design of a Musical: Matthew Weisgable 

• Outstanding Female Identifying Lead Character: Kelly Donlan as Roxie Hart

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NOMINATIONS

• Outstanding Choreography of a Musical: Kelsey McGrail, Merielle Lupfer, Francesca Silvano

• Outstanding Musical Direction of a Musical: Gayle Fuentes

• Outstanding Costume, Hair and Make Up Design of a Musical: Merielle Lupfer

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Montclair State University Theatre Night "Foxy" Awards

(17 awards, 91 additional nominations in 16 years of participation)

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2024- Peter/Wendy

NOMINATIONS

• Outstanding Production of a SciFi/Fantasy Play

• Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a SciFi/Fantasy Play- Kayla Klas as Smee

• Outstanding Achievement in Period/Fantasy Costume Design for a Play- Merielle Lupfer

• Outstanding Achievement in Lighitng Design for a Play- Matthew Weisgable

• Outstanding Achievement in Choreography/Movement in a Play

• Outstanding Achievement by a Dance Ensemble in a Play

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2024- Chicago

WINNER

• Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Design for a Musical- Matthew Weisgable

NOMINATIONS

• Outstanding Production of a Period Musical

• Outstanding Achievement by an Actress in a Period Musical- Kelly Donlan as Roxie Hart

• Outstanding Achievement in Period/Fantasy Costume Design for a Musical- Merielle Lupfer

• Outstanding Achievement by a Student Lighting Technician for a Musical- Xander Duffus

• Outstanding Achievement in Scenic Design for a Musical- Patrick Brennan

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2023- Museum

NOMINATIONS

• Outstanding Production of a Comedic Play

• Outstanding Achievement by an Acting Ensemble of a Comedic Play

• Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Comedic Play

• Outstanding Achievement in Scenic Design- Patrick Brennan

• Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design- Jonathan Melchiorre

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2023- You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown​

NOMINATIONS

• Outstanding Achievement by an Acting Ensemble in a Period Musical

• Outstanding Achievement in Student Stage Crew- Star Arias, Cyan Armstrong, Jamie Bade, Alex Coleman, Nicole Darian, Xander Duffus, Michael Flatley, Sophia Lambrinos, Aurora LoBello, Callie Muska, Daniel Quezada, Addison Steimle, Colby Tesoriero, Ioanna Tsompanellis, Regan Witt

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2022- Night Night, Roger Roger

NOMINATIONS

• Outstanding Production of a Contemporary Comedic Play

• Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Contemporary Comedic Play: Shana Bloom as Freddie

• Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design- Jonathan Melchiorre

• Outstanding Achievement in Educational Impact & Community Outreach- Tom & Merielle Lupfer​

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2022- Little Shop of Horrors

WINNERS

• Outstanding Production of a Virtual Musical

• Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Virtual Musical- Tyler Toledo as Seymour

• Outstanding Achievement in Direction of a Musical- Tom & Merielle Lupfer

• Outstanding Achievement in Editing- Vincent Laino, Tom & Merielle Lupfer, Kelsey McGrail

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NOMINATIONS

• Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Virtual Musical- Kyle Towey as Orin

• Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Virtual Musical- Abby Lange as Audrey

• Outstanding Achievement by an Acting Ensemble of a Virtual Musical

• Outstanding Achievement in Virtual Background Design- Vincent Laino

• Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design- Jonathan Melchiorre

• Outstanding Achievement in Educational Impact & Community Outreach- Tom & Merielle Lupfer

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2021- The Brother's Grimm Spectaculathon

NOMINATIONS

• Outstanding Production of a Virtual Play (Zoom Format with Significant Editing)​

• Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Virtual Play (Zoom Format with Significant Editing): Kelly Donlan as Narrator​

• Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Virtual Play (Zoom Format with Significant Editing): Tyler Toledo as Rumplestiltskin, Prince 2 & King 2​

• Outstanding Achievement in Editing ​

• The Jo Anne Fox (Outstanding Theatre Teacher) Award: Tom & Merielle Lupfer

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2020- A Midsummer Night's Dream

NOMINATIONS

• Outstanding Production of a Classical Play

• Outstanding Achievement by an Acting Ensemble of a Classical Play

• Outstanding Achievement in Stage Combat

• Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor in a Classical Play: Dan Large as Lysander

• Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in a Classical Play: Shana Bloom as Helena

• Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Classical Play: Tyler Toledo as Demetrius

• Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Classical Play: Lauren Kalfus as Hermia

• Outstanding Achievement in Stage Direction: Tom & Merielle Lupfer

• The Jo Anne Fox Veteran Award: Tom & Merielle Lupfer

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2019- Brainstorm

NOMINATIONS

• Outstanding Work of Innovation and Invention (Kiwi Cast)

• Outstanding Work of Innovation and Invention (Kumquat Cast)

• Outstanding Achievement by an Acting Ensemble of a Work of Innovation (Kiwi Cast)

• Outstanding Achievement by an Acting Ensemble of a Work of Innovation (Kumquat Cast)

 

2018- Crush

WINNER​

• Outstanding Achievement in Dramaturgy

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NOMINATIONS

• Outstanding Work of Innovation and Invention

• Outstanding Achievement in Stage Direction - Tom & Merielle Lupfer

• Outstanding Achievement in Choreography or Movement

• Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Design- Erin O'Brien

• Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design- Jon Melchiorre

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2017- Metamorphoses

WINNER

• Outstanding Achievement by the Acting Ensemble of a Drama​

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NOMINATIONS

• Outstanding Work of Innovation and Invention

• Outstanding Achievement in Choreography or Movement

• The Peter Filichia Award for Pushing the Envelope in Academic Theatre- Tom and Merielle Lupfer

• Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Design- Erin O'Brien

• Outstanding Achievement in Scenic Design

• Outstanding Stage Crew

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2016- Letters to Sala

WINNER

• Outstanding Production of a Drama

• Outstanding Leading Actress in a Drama -- Brenna Fitzmaurice as Ann Kirschner

• Outstanding Lighting Design -- Erin O'Brien

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NOMINATIONS

• Outstanding Overall Production of a HS Play

• The Peter Filichia Award for Pushing the Envelope in Academic Theatre-- Tom & Merielle Lupfer

• The Susan Kerner Award for Educational Impact and Community Outreach

• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama -- Laura Santo as Sala Kirschner

• Outstanding Scenic Design

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2015- The Dining Room

NOMINATIONS

• Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama -- Calvin Rezen as Father, Ted, Jim

• Outstanding Stage Crew

• Outstanding Scenic Design: Tom Lupfer & Adam Farnan

• Outstanding Lighting Design: Erin O'Brien

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2014- Don't Drink the Water

WINNER

• Outstanding Scenic Design -- Tom Lupfer 

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NOMINATIONS

• Outstanding Production of a Comedy

• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy -- Alexis Parsells as Marion Hollander

• Outstanding Achievement in Stage Direction - Tom & Merielle Lupfer

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2013- Romeo and Juliet

WINNER

• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Classic -- Kira Player as the Nurse 

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2012- The Laramie Project (and Ten Years Later)

WINNER

• Outstanding Overall Production of a Drama

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NOMINATIONS

• Outstanding Overall Production of a High School Play

• Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Cast

• Outstanding Achievement in Stage Direction - Tom & Merielle Lupfer

• Outstanding Lighting Design - Luke Krauss & Curtis Shields

• Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role - Scott Crepea

• Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role - Kelsey McGrail

• Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role - Carlie Cattelona

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2011- The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)

WINNER

• Outstanding Production of a Comedy (Evening)

• Outstanding Leading Actor in a Comedy -- Brandon Essig as The Women

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NOMINATIONS

• Outstanding Overall Production of a High School Play (Matinee)

• Outstanding Overall Production of a High School Play (Evening)

• Outstanding Production of a Comedy (Matinee)

• Outstanding Production of a Classic (Matinee)

• Outstanding Production of a Classic (Evening)

• Outstanding Achievement in Stage Direction - Tom & Merielle Lupfer

• Outstanding Achievement by an Acting Ensemble (Matinee)

• Outstanding Acheivement by an Acting Ensemble (Evening)

• Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design

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2010- Under Milk Wood

NOMINATIONS

• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama -- Katherine Riley as Lily Smalls

• Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design- Merielle Lupfer

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2010- Disorientation

NOMINATION

• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy -- Maja Kruegle as Beth 

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2009- Museum

WINNER

• Outstanding Graphic Design -- Liz Lehman

• Outstanding Properties

 

NOMINATIONS

• Outstanding Production of a New Work

• Outstanding Achievement in Stage Direction - Tom & Merielle Lupfer

• Outstanding Performance by an Acting Ensemble

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Metropolitan Theatre Awards

sponsored by Helen Hayes Youth Theatre/LoHud

(7 awards, 53 additional nominations in 9 years of participation)

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2024- High School Musical

WINNER

• Outstanding Acting Performance by a Female Identifying Performer- Maya Teckwani as Taylor McKessie

NOMINATIONS

• Outstanding Vocal Performance by a Female Identifying Performer- Olivia Carpenter as Gabriella Montez

• Outstanding Comedic Performance by a Female Identifying Performer- Mia Vazquez as Jack Scott​

• Outstanding Performance in a Cameo Female Identified Role- Abby Campbell as Martha Cox​

• Outstanding Performance by a Student Pit Musician- Tim Ngai- Keyboard 1

• Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design- Merielle Lupfer

• Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Design- Xotchil Musser

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2023- Chicago

WINNER

• Outstanding Achievement in Hair and Makeup Design- Merielle Lupfer

• Technical Merit Award: Stage Management Team- Evelyn Jansen, Kayden Caleca, Abby DiSalvo

NOMINATIONS

• ​Outstanding Achievement by an Ensemble Group: Olivia Carpenter, Kayla Klas, Wendy Musks, Maya Teckwani and Alexandra Wells as The Merry Murderesses

• Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design- Merielle Lupfer

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2019- Once Upon a Mattress

NOMINATIONS

• ​Outstanding Graphic Design (Al Schlesinger)

• ​Outstanding Comedic Performance by an Actress (Keara Fernandez as Queen Aggravain)

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2018- How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

WINNER

• ​Outstanding Production Number- "Coffee Break"

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NOMINATIONS

• ​Outstanding Direction: Tom Lupfer & Merielle Lupfer

• Outstanding Musical Direction: Michael Mahadeen

• Outstanding Choreography: Francesca Silvano, Kelsey McGrail, Merielle Lupfer

• Outstanding Production Number: "Coffee Break"

• Outstanding Chorus

• Outstanding Stage Crew

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2017- Pippin

NOMINATIONS

• Outstanding Scenic Design- Merielle Lupfer

• Outstanding Musical Direction- Michael Mahadeen

• Outstanding Student Critic- Jamie Ryu

• Outstanding Duet- "Love Song" --Amy Santo & Ryan Muska

• Outstanding Production Number- "Magic to Do"

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2016- Urinetown

WINNER

• ​Outstanding Vocal Performance- Female -- Maggie Capone as Penelope Pennywise

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NOMINATIONS

• Outstanding Featured Ensemble Member -- Laura Santo as Officer Lockstock

• Outstanding Featured Ensemble Group -- "The Poor/Rebels"

• Outstanding Production Number -- "Urinetown"

• Outstanding Chorus

• Outstanding Student Critic -- Nicole Zamlout

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2015- Anything Goes

WINNER 

• Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical -- Calvin Rezen as Moonface Martin

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NOMINATIONS

• Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical

• Outstanding Direction -- Tom and Merielle Lupfer

• Outstanding Musical Direction -- Michael Mahadeen

• Outstanding Leading Actor in a Musical -- Lukas Kruegle as Billy Crocker

• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical -- Tyler Halligan as Bonnie Latour

• Outstanding Acting Performance- Female -- Alexandra Brennan as Hope Harcourt

• Outstanding Vocal Performance -- Maggie Capone as Reno Sweeney

• Outstanding Instrumentalist -- Chandni Shah, Violin

• Outstanding Chorus

• Outstanding Scenic Design -- Tim DiGregorio

• Technical Merit Award -- Melissa Gargiulo (Costume Designer & Props Mistress)

• Technical Merit Award -- Ariana Aguero (Production Stage Manager)

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2014- Cabaret

NOMINATIONS

• Outstanding Leading Actor in a Musical -- Calvin Rezen as the Emcee

• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical -- Katie Collins as Fraulein Schneider

• Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical -- Lukas Kruegle as Herr Schultz

• Outstanding Acting Performance- Male -- Justin Culshaw as Cliff Bradshaw

• Outstanding Vocal Performance -- Maggie Capone as Sally Bowles

• Technical Merit Award -- Kristin Verost (Stage Manager)

• Technical Merit Award -- Ariana Aguero (Asst. Stage Manager)​​

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2009- Seussical

WINNER

• Outstanding Lighting Design- Luke Krauss

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NOMINATIONS

• Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role -- Liz Lehman as Gertrude McFuzz

• Outstanding Comic Performance -- Katherine Riley as The Cat in the Hat

• Outstanding Instrumentalist -- Graham Terry (Keyboards)

• Outstanding Stage Crew

• Outstanding Lobby Display -- Amanda Williamson (with Mrs. Lupfer & Parents)

• Outstanding Scenic Achievement -- Tom & Merielle Lupfer

• Technical Merit Award -- Rebecca Riley (Stage Manager)

• Technical Merit Award -- Cheryl Reman (Master Carpenter/Sound Board Operator)

• Technical Merit Award -- Sarah Kapilow (Master Carpenter/Asst. Stage Manager)

 

 

Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards

(1 award, 4 nominations, 7 honorable mentions in 12 years of participation)

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2018- How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

HONORABLE MENTION

• Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role: Karl Hauck as Bud Frump

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2017- Pippin

HONORABLE MENTION

• Outstanding Choreography & Staging -- Francesca Silvano, Kelsey McGrail, Merielle Lupfer

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2016- Urinetown

NOMINATION

• Outstanding Hair & Makeup Design -- Merielle Lupfer

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HONORABLE MENTION

• ​Outstanding Performance by a Featured Ensemble Group -- "The Poor"

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2015- Anything Goes

WINNER

• Student Acheivement Award -- Student Choreographers/Dance Captains -- Tyler Halligan and Alyssa Zoll

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HONORABLE MENTION

• Outstanding Hair and Makeup Design — Joyce & Jen Biener

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2014- Cabaret

HONORABLE MENTION

• Outstanding Leading Actor in a Musical — Calvin Rezen as the Emcee

• Outstanding Performance by a Featured Ensemble Group, Honorable Mention — "The Kit Kat Girls" -- Nicole Bellmay, Alexandra Brennan, Tyler Halligan, Anastasia Maltsev, Alexis Parsells, Allison Snider, Michelle Verkhoglaz, and Alyssa Zoll)​

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2011- Footloose

NOMINATION

• Student Achievement Award -- Kelsey McGrail (Assistant Choreographer & Dance Captain)

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2010- Into the Woods

NOMINATION

• Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role -- Brandon Essig as Jack

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2009- Seussical

NOMINATION

• Student Achievement Award -- Outstanding Stage Crew

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2008- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

HONORABLE MENTION

• Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role-- Travis Alvarez as Sweeney Todd