Two area students have been nominated for national performing awards. They were top local winners of the recent Kenny Awards at Shea's Performing Arts Center that recognizes students in high school musicals. They are in New York City for the National Jimmy Awards Monday evening. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley talked with the students about their work and future theater ambitions.
Rachel Kauderer is a senior at Clarence High School and Joseph Russi is a junior at Frontier High School. Both captured 'Outstanding Actress' and 'Outstanding Actor' for their leading roles in their high school musicals at last month's annual Kenny Awards at Shea’s.
Kauderer played Frau Blücher in Young Frankenstein at Clarence High School.
“She was a grouchy, old woman. She was the maid to the doctor who brought Frankenstein the monster back to life and she’s very comedic,” said Kauderer.
Kauderer noted it was a challenge. “I had to talk in a really thick German accent, which was completely different from any other role I ever played,” Kauderer remarked.
Russi played Gomez Addams in The Addams Family at Frontier High.
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“It was phenomenal. It was like a dream come true,” said Russi.
Over the last ten days Kauderer and Russi have been among 62-high school students from across the nation attending an intensive professional training session for their Broadway debut. Monday night they compete for the top Jimmy Award for Best Performance by an Actor or Actress.
Shea's sent both students to the Big Apple on an all-expense paid trip.
“Winning the local division of the Kenny Awards was such a blessing in itself and this year, now that Joe and I are both off to the Jimmy Awards, there is no other opportunity that I can think of at this age that we could be going to,” Kauderer stated.
“It’s going to be so fun. I’m so excited.” I want to go to college for musical theater,” declared Russi.