On Saturday, June 1, the FHS Players and Franklin Footlight Theatre once again celebrated their amazing success from the year's season at the annual Academy Awards Night. This year's celebration was held at the Elks Club with a masquerade theme. The decorations were gold and glamorous and there was plenty of snacks and desserts for the entire evening. Everyone was dressed in their gala finest and there was amazing entertainment provided by the top Solo nominees from both groups.
There were numerous Footlight recognitions throughout the evening as well, but the FHS Players honors were led in the evening by the outgoing President of FHS Players, Olivia Sylvester, who announced next year's officers for 2024-2025 including Zoe Nagle as President, Kaia Roper as Vice President, Arden Greenrod as Secretary, Alana Alers-Alers as Historian and Noah Roper as Footlight Rep. Other awards given included the Jason A. Stoddard awards given by cast and crew members that went to Noah and Kaia Roper, and Kadance Laro who received the Michael David Stoddard Non-Lemming Award from the Footlight Board. Directors Choice awards went to Nox McDonald, Kaia Roper, Alana Alers-Alers and Noah Roper.
For the Academy Awards portion of the evening, the FHS Players Best Bit Part award went to Arden Greenrod for his role of Shane Oman in Mean Girls. The FHS Players Thespian of the Year went to Olivia Sylvester as a senior and the Best Technical Achievement award went to Nox McDonald for costume design in Mean Girls. Ollie Foskey took the Best Techie award and Leah Cote won the Best Supporting Actress Award for her many roles in Mean Girls. The Best Actress award went to Lillian Corrow for her role as Regina George and Noah Alers-Alers took the Best Actor award for his role as Damian Hubbard.
It was a night of celebration, memories and fun! It ended with karaoke and many people walking away with trophies in their arms and smiles on their faces! We look forward to next year and the new amazing productions our groups bring to Franklin!
