"Archie R. Cole Drama Club Wins in Boston"

The entire cast of Cole Drama Club’s 2014 production of “The Little Mermaid, Jr.” won the Best Acting Ensemble Award and Mermaid’s comical mersisters won the Best Specialty Ensemble award at the Massachusettes Educational Theatre Guild Awards ceremony in Boston on Monday night. The mersister ensemble was comprised of: Petranea Smith, Ally Carlsten, Sarah Brusini, Maddie Jenkins, Noelle Salisbury and Katrina Plaziak. “The Little Mermaid, Jr.” also won Best Costume Design and Execution. Costumes were created by Andrea Ricci and Sheri White (see photos).

“The Little Mermaid Jr.” was a standout among the 23 participating middle school productions as it also received the following nominations: Best Lead Actress –Abby White as Ariel; Best Supporting Actress – Emma Tedeschi as Ursula; Best Hair and Make-up Design and Execution; Best Stage Management; Best Choral Ensemble; Best Props Design and Management; and Best Overall Production.

The Cole Drama Club produced two musicals in the 2014-2015 school year. Both musicals, “The Little Mermaid, Jr.” and “Willy Wonka, Jr.” were adjudicated by the Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guild and then recommended for nominations for awards in the various categories.

“Willy Wonka, Jr.” also received nominations in the following categories: Best Featured Actor - Jackson Morin as Mike Teavee; Best Props Design and Management; and Best Set Design and Execution.

Cole Drama Club students Abby White, Petranea Smith and Patrick Shenefield performed Mermaid’s “Kiss The Girl,” at the June 15 Awards Ceremony which was held at the Cutler Majestic Theatre in Boston.

After working with the Cole Drama students for the past three years, Producer, Meggan Shenefield and Director/choreographer, Kathi Curtis are looking forward to watching the club continue to grow under the guidance of the new advisors, Danielle Salisbury and Barbara Brusini.