When the 2019 National Youth Arts Awards were announced on July 15, Pelham Memorial High School’s Sock ‘n’ Buskin troupe was recognized with seven awards, and an additional seventeen nominations. The group was recognized for both the fall 2018 production of Brighton Beach Memoirs and the spring 2019 musical Mamma Mia!

National Youth Arts began as a local, San Diego-based institution dedicated to recognizing and encouraging the very best work of young, emerging artists and the mentors who work with them in the fields of theatre, music, film, painting and photography. In 2005, the organization expanded to a national level, recognizing the work of students and teachers in eleven regions of the country. The various arts are judged by theatre professionals who critique the nominated shows.

 Sock ‘n’ Buskin was recognized this year for the following work:

Outstanding Production: Brighton Beach Memoirs

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical: Maggie Solimine as Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia!

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play: Jack Finegan as Eugene Morris Jerome in Brighton Beach Memoirs

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Play: Athena Woodfin as Kate Jerome in Brighton Beach Memoirs

Outstanding Ensemble: Mamma Mia!

Outstanding Set Design: Joseph J. Egan for Brighton Beach Memoirs

Outstanding Direction: Thomas F. Beck, Jr. and Neil Schleifer for Brighton Beach Memoirs 

Additional nominations went to the following:

Outstanding Production: Mamma Mia!

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical: Malia McLellan as Sophie Sheridan in Mamma Mia!

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical: Jack Finegan as Sky in Mamma Mia!

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical: Meredith Heller as Tanya in Mamma Mia!

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical: Jack Hopkins as Harry Bright in Mamma Mia!

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical: Sam Rodd as Sam Carmichael in Mamma Mia!

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical: Athena Woodfin as Rosie in Mamma Mia!

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Play: Maggie Solimine as Blanche Morton in Brighton Beach Memoirs

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Play: Meredith Heller as Nora Morton in Brighton Beach Memoirs

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Play: Jack Hopkins as Jack Jerome in Brighton Beach Memoirs

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Play: Sam Rodd as Stanley Jerome in Brighton Beach Memoirs

Outstanding Ensemble: Brighton Beach Memoirs

Outstanding Costume Design: Neil Schleifer for Mamma Mia!

Outstanding Lighting Design: Andrew Gmoser for Mamma Mia!

Outstanding Set Design: Joseph J. Egan for Mamma Mia!

Outstanding Choreography: Jesse Pellegrino for Mamma Mia!

Outstanding Direction: Thomas F. Beck, Jr. and Neil Schleifer for Mamma Mia!