Blue Masques “The Prom” Continues to Receive Praise

RIVERHEAD, NEW YORK (JUNE 2023) — The Riverhead High School Blue Masques production of The Prom continues to win accolades. The production won the CM Performing Arts Center It’s Time to Dance Contest and received 13 Teeny Award nominations. The Teeny Awards, started in 2002 to celebrate high school theater across the East End of Long Island, took place on June 11th.

“Our students have dazzled not only our community but all of Long Island and beyond with their performances,” said Riverhead Central School District Superintendent Augustine E. Tornatore. “These accolades are well-deserved, and all involved in the production should feel incredibly proud.”

Riverhead High School was the first Long Island school to obtain the rights to perform this show, leading the way in the telling of this impactful story about being true to your identity and embracing all. In addition to the recent accolades, students received praise from members of the original Broadway cast. They were also sent an opening night letter of encouragement from the author, the lyricist and the composer of the original Broadway show. Jim Hoare, Vice President of Theatrical Rights Worldwide—the company that owns the rights to the show—attended a performance and was beyond impressed.

“This is the most beautiful story of acceptance I have ever seen,” said 106.1 WBLI host Aly Ali in her post complimenting the production. “Thank you, Riverhead, for sharing this story with Long Island for the high school premiere of The Prom! This became an instant favorite of mine, and the talent was absolutely unreal.”

“The students were just phenomenal, and there was an overwhelming positive response from the audiences,” said The Prom Director Laura Nitti. “The orchestra pit, led by Middle School Band Director Crystal Crespo, featured current students, alumni and the greatest number of current faculty members the pit has ever had. Thank you so much to everyone who made this production possible and to our community for supporting us.”

For more information about the Riverhead Central School District, please visit the District’s website at www.riverhead.net. Happenings in the District can also be followed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/riverheadCSD. #BlueWavesPride.