Miller Place Brings “Munchkinland” to the Teeny Awards

Students received several nominations and performed at East End Arts High School theater award show

Miller Place High School actors, set designers, musicians and more followed the “yellow brick road” from their hometown stage to that of the East End Arts’ 20th Annual Teeny Awards, where they were nominated in several categories and performed a number from their spring production of The Wizard of Oz.

The annual high school theater award show, whose name is a reference to the Tony Awards, recognized Miller Place High School among 20 other schools across Suffolk County during a ceremony on June 5 at Riverhead High School. Much like the Tony’s, the Teeny Award ceremony includes performances from participating schools and Miller Place students dazzled the crowd with their rendition of “Munchkinland.”

“Our theater productions are always a collaborative effort that would not be possible without the dedication and talent of our actors, dancers, musicians, designers and everyone involved. I’m so proud of the students who brought The Wizard of Oz to life and it’s an honor to see their efforts recognized by East End Arts and on display at the Teeny Awards,” said Miller Place High School Principal Kevin Slavin.  

The Teeny Awards has been celebrating outstanding performances and remarkable behind-the-scenes work in high school theater since 2002. Anonymous volunteer judges with backgrounds in theatre attend high school productions in Suffolk County throughout the year to select nominations before the winners are decided by a judging committee.

MPHS student Kai Schiera received accolades for his portrayal of the Scarecrow, for which he was nominated for Best Lead Male in a musical.

MPHS student Julianne Donohue was nominated for Outstanding Choreography in a play or musical, specifically for her choreography in the musical numbers “Munchkinland,” “Poppies,” “Merry Land of Oz,” and “Jitterbug.”

Technical Recognition Honorees from Miller Place included Julianne Donohue, as dance captain and student choreographer, Emma Balamoti, as assistant student director and lighting designer, and Violeta Valencia, as a stage crew member.

Several pit orchestra members also received technical recognitions, including Abigail Beers on viola, Analynn Bisiani on reed 1, Brennos Blake on cello, Liliana Bosshard on cello, Lucy Chang on violin, Bernard Creedon on trumpet, Eileen Duffy on violin, Kyle Fehling on reed 2, Jacob Huwer on violin, Giovanna Kalin on piano, Grace Lassiter on viola, James Loughlin on percussion, Maura Luby on trombone, Sean Muller on percussion, Abigail O’Connor on reed 3, Nailah Rahman on bass, Kyle Reese on English horn, Diya Saini on orchestra flute, Jack Serrentino on trumpet, Emma Venegoni on oboe, and Brandon Zou on violin.

For more information about the Miller Place School District, please visit the District’s website at www.millerplace.k12.ny.us. To read more about the great things happening in Miller Place schools, visit www.millerplaceinthemedia.com and ‘like’ our Facebook page.

Miller Place High School students were nominated in several categories at the East End Arts’ 20th annual Teeny Awards for their spring production of “The Wizard of Oz.”
The annual high school theater award show, whose name is a reference to the Tony Awards, recognized Miller Place High School among 20 other schools across Suffolk County during a ceremony on June 5 at Riverhead High School.
In addition to attending the award ceremony, students performed “Munchkinland” from their spring production of “The Wizard of Oz.”