Freedom, Parkland and Emmaus lead Freddy 2012 nominations

Freedom, Parkland and Emmaus are again the top schools to beat in the Freddy Awards.

Freedom garnered 17 nominations while Parkland and Emmaus received 12 each in Thursdays ceremony broadcast on Channel 69-WFMZ. For the past two years, the three schools have been in the ranks of the highest nomination-getters. All three are competing for the Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical award this year, joined by Notre Dame High School and Southern Lehigh High School.

Every school is eligible for that award, but once nominated a school is taken out of the running for the Outstanding Overall Production by a Smaller School category (named for those with less than 1,000 students), said Freddy Awards Producer Jamie Balliet.

The Freddy Awards honor the best in high school theater programs at 29 schools in Lehigh, Northampton and Warren counties. The Freddy Awards ceremony will be held 7 p.m. May 24 at the State Theatre in Easton.

We are extremely proud to receive the recognition from both our audiences and the broader Lehigh Valley community through the Freddy Awards, said Jennifer Wescoe, Freedom High School Theatre Company Advisor and Director. Its just a great day.

While the Freedom nominations rang in, there was a yelp of excitement across the river. Jan Labellarte, theater instructor and drama director at Warren County Vocational Technical School, cheered as her daughter, Kate Dawson, got the nod for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role.

I thought (director) Jen Wescoe helped her a lot and pulled a great performance out of her, Labellarte said of her daughters challenging role as Mrs. Meers in Thoroughly Modern Millie. The role required the Freedom junior to learn two different accents.

Though Labellarte said theater is a big part of the Bethlehem Township familys life, she insists: Kate did this on her own. Im very proud.

Labellartes own cast and crew picked up four nominations.

It was intense, Labellarte said of her students gathering to watch the live nominations. I thought someone was going to pop an artery.

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Freedom, Parkland and Emmaus lead Freddy 2012 nominations