Colts Neck Musical Theater Standout Honored By Tony Award Winner

COLTS NECK, NJ – The Axelrod Performing Arts Center announced the winners of its debut NJ High School AXE Awards, which highlights high school musical theater standouts in the area. Anna Thorensen of Colts Neck was named one of the selected few, and was honored with a congratulatory message from Tony Award winner Laura Benanti.

The awards program was created in order to highlight local high school standouts whose musical theater productions were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m so honored,” Thorensen told Patch. “I know so many talented kids who submitted to be part of this and to be honest I’m completely shocked and blessed that I was lucky enough to even be nominated for an award, never mind win!”

Thorensen, a Red Bank Catholic High School senior, will be majoring in theater arts at the University of Arizona this fall. She was slated to play Paulette Buonafonte in a Spring 2020 production of Legally Blonde before the high school temporarily closed its doors.

“The pandemic took a huge toll on my senior year,” Thorensen said. “This year was the first year I was given a lead role in my school’s musical and it was the first year that I would’ve been eligible to be nominated for a Count Basie Theater award, which is my high school’s local theater awards ceremony. Thankfully though, the Axelrod Performing Arts Center was able to put together an awesome ceremony that made us high schoolers feel special in a time where we weren’t feeling so special.”

With the help of its sponsors, local nonprofit Cabaret for Life and Kearny Bank, the NJ High School AXE Awards granted four seniors $1000, as well as a top male and female underclassman with $500.

Out of 72 applications from 32 high schools throughout Monmouth, Middlesex and Ocean counties, six talented high school New Jersey students were selected. All four seniors plan on pursuing musical theater next fall, with Thorensen focusing her efforts on a career in the entertainment industry as a performer and a creator.

“I’ve always been passionate about this so I know I won’t change my mind,” said Thorensen. “I am over the moon excited to finally start my career as a professional actress and beyond.”