Every year across the nation, plays are attended and reviewed by critics who send in nominations to the NYA Awards Organization. NYA, or the National Youth Arts organization, has been honoring the works of youth in theatre for a little over a decade. The organization may be young it does not allow that to hold it back.

This past year alone “More than 300 productions were considered for the awards… in more than 50 cities spanning 10 states,” according to statistics on the official website. Among the productions considered were CHS’s own Almost Maine and Singing in The Rain.

Current critic and founder of The NYA Awards, Rob Hopper, is closely tied to CHS and its productions.

“We’re lucky because Rob Hopper himself flies out from Arizona to look at our shows,” performing arts teacher Mrs. Hall said. “He likes our stuff.”

Some may assume this would result in extra stress for the students, however Mrs. Hall is assured by her students that they always rise to the occasion without a worry.

“Students aren’t stressed so much,” Mrs. Hall said.

Their best efforts seem to have paid off, with nine nominations and five wins, CHS was held at great honor during the 2013 Carlsbad Spring ceremony.

“It was very cool to be recognized for all the hard work I and other members of the cast put into the show,”senior Josh Collins said. “To win an award for it felt even better.”

Returning students to the program enter this year with tenacity as the production of On The Razzle rolls forward. As for the rookies hoping to live up to CHS’s theatre department’s name this coming year, it may be intimidating. Mrs. Hall is not discouraged by past success however, she is actually quite hopeful.

“Hopper has the dates for this year, and the kids are fabulous,” Mrs. Hall said. The future of CHS’s theatre department looks promising.

As the ancient Latin proverb states, “Let the evidence speak for itself.” 

For the full list of nominations and winners click here to be taken to the NYA Website.