The Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts (FWAFA) and Arlington Martin High School were the big winners in this year’s Buckley Awards, hosted recently by Casa Manana. Each school came away with three awards at the annual event to honor high school theatre productions.
FWAFA won for Best Musical with The 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee. The show also won awards for Sydney Dotson as Best Supporting Female Actor in a Musical, and David Postlewate as Best Supporting Male Actor In a Musical.
Martin captured the award for Best Play for A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The show also won for Excellence in Costume Design (Caroline Demby, Daniella Prado, Kai Skidmore).
Also from Martin, Ivan Friend was named Best Male Actor in a Play for his performance in The Importance of Being Earnest.
This was Martin’s first time to win any Buckleys. FWAFA has been a regular winner in the competition, but this is their first time to win since 2017.
“The Buckley’s are one of our favorite nights of the year,” Casa President and Executive Producer Wally Jones said. “The excitement and hard work of the students, teachers and parents inspires us to continue our efforts in providing great theatre and arts education for the citizens of North Texas.”
The Buckleys are named after Fort Worth’s own Tony Award-winning Best Actress, Fort Worth Independent School District and Casa alumna Betty Lynn Buckley. The first Buckleys were handed out in 2001.
Participation is open to schools in Denton, Wise, Parker, Hood, Johnson and Tarrant County. The program culminates in a Tony Awards-style ceremony at Casa each year.
Awards include a $1,000 scholarship, which is provided by donors. To underwrite a scholarship, contact 817-321-5005 or donate on the Casa website at http://www.casamanana.org.
2019 Buckley Award winners
Best Musical: Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts (FWAFA), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
Best Play: Arlington Martin, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Best Male Actor in a Musical: Logan Corley, Catch Me if You Can, Mansfield.
Best Female Actor in a Musical: Devan DeLugo, Side Show, Southlake Carroll.
Best Male Actor in a Play: Ivan Friend, The Importance of Being Earnest, Martin.
Best Female Actor in a Play: Lauren Meece, You Can’t Take It with You, Prestonwood Christian Academy.
Best Male Supporting Actor in a Musical: David Postlewate, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, FWAFA.
Best Female Supporting Actor in a Musical: Sydney Dotson, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, FWAFA.
Best Student Orchestra: Birdville High School, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.
Excellence in Choreography: Emma Dixon, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Birdville High School.
Excellence in Sound Design: Josh Morton, Hamlet, Arlington Oakridge School.
Excellence in Scenic Design: Jennelle Cumberland, Peter Pan, Haslet Eaton.
Excellence in Costume Design: Caroline Demby, Daniella Prado, Kai Skidmore, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Martin.
Excellence in Lighting Design: Nick Bright, Side Show, Carroll.