‘Now In Color’ wins prestigious award

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By Rama K. Ramaswamy

“Now In Color,” the original Wellesley High School play, recently received a prestigious theater award from the New England Theatre Conference: the Moss Hart Award.

“The annual Moss Hart Memorial Award has a two-fold purpose,” reads the New England Theatre Conference’s website. “To honor the memory of Moss Hart, dramatist and director, for his wit and sensitivity, for his unconquerable enthusiasm for life and for his work in the theatre; and to recognize and encourage outstanding theatrical productions throughout New England of playscripts that present affirmative views of human courage and dignity, that have strong literary and artistic merit, and which in their productions, exemplify fresh, imaginative, creative treatment within the intent of the playwright. The New England Theatre Conference, in making the annual Moss Hart Memorial Award, seeks to encourage artistic growth and the highest standards of excellence in theatre.”

“Companies from all over New England are considered for this award,” said Wellesley High School Drama Specialist Stephen Wrobleski. “Judges came to view the show; once in Weston and once here at WHS … we are the overall winner, not just the high school winner. That means we received top honors among professional, community and regional theaters.

“This play was about what it is like to be a METCO student in the town of Wellesley,” Wrobleski continued, “although many of the experiences can translate into many communities. It dealt with some of the history of when METCO first was founded and came to Wellesley and some of the experiences students of color have with micro-aggressions. It was well received by the students and by the community. This award is another justification about how the truth of the students was powerful and needed to be heard”.

Wrobleski was the editor and director for this play, which was created via improvisation with the cast, otherwise known as “devised theater.” This was the “Now In Color” debut - and only - presentation.

According to Wrobleski, there were parts that surprised him, such as, “how much we grew as a cast and crew. This was challenging material to talk about and the cast came together beautifully to make a wonderful show.”

“Performing arts students are bravest of the brave,” he added. “The number one fear in America is public speaking and you add to that being on stage in a role - it can be a terrifying experience for most people. Actors get up there and put their heart and souls on the line with the sole aim of creating something beautiful for the audience to watch. They are the best”!

The cast members included the following students: Cam Ayer, Tess Buckley, Marcus Chalmers, Julia DeSantis, Emma Downie, Emma Frank, Will Fulginiti, Anand Ghorpadey, Jada Gibson, Caitlin Gillooly, Jess Gomes, Anne Griffin, Jack Grossi, Maria Kelley, Nykia Lumley, Zimmie Obiora, Mia Sewall, Liam Skelly, and Cypress Smith.

Understudies were Scott Johnson, Sofia Ko, Ezra Mogere, and Jackie Scholl.

Dramaturgs were Taylor Irish and Jada Parks.

The crew members included the following students: John Ashbrook, Alyssa Barre, Emma Bowman, Sophi Cerda, Anson Chan, Rachel Cheung, Tiera Chrystall, Carson Dobos, Blake Harju, Audrey Hill, Charlie Kennedy, Abby Klenk, Bri Ko, Alex Prideauxi, Katie Pyzowski, Nadine Richardson, Phoebe Rottersman, Zoe Salvucci, Alden Schmidt, Johanna Steensma, Madison Tucker, Brett Zaorski, and Jack Zhuo.

To watch the play on YouTube, recorded courtesy of Wellesley Media, visit: https://youtu.be/FOxULVP_caI. To see the cast/crew student interview, visit https://youtu.be/4RX3YKM4ELk.