By Rob Forleo
Special to the Voice
West Haven High School made a remarkable impression at the 2025 Halo Awards, held at the Palace Theater in Waterbury. Competing against dozens of schools statewide, West Haven stood out by earning multiple honors across both play and musical categories, showcasing the depth of talent within the school’s theater program.
The Halo Awards, presented annually by Seven Angels Theatre since 1993, have grown from a small gathering of eight schools to Connecticut’s largest high school theater awards program. The event celebrates outstanding achievements in acting, directing, technical production, and more.
This year, West Haven’s production of Lend Me A Tenor earned the coveted Best Classical Play award, affirming the school’s excellence in presenting timeless theatrical works. The performances were equally celebrated, with Paige Kenny’s portrayal of Diana earning her Best Featured Actress in a Play, while Ada Akdag’s role as Julia garnered Best Supporting Actress in a Play honors. From the musical side, The Addams Family brought additional recognition as Barrett Welch was named Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Alice. Adding to the evening’s triumphs, Zienna Ziada was awarded the prestigious Dance Molinari Scholarship, highlighting her outstanding work and promising future in dance.
Beyond these well-deserved wins, West Haven’s strong presence was felt across numerous nominations, underscoring the collective effort behind the productions. Neena Hodgins was recognized for his role as the Bellhop in Lend Me A Tenor, receiving a nomination for Best Featured Male Role in a Play, while Nina Hodgins was nominated for Best Comic Female Role in a Musical for her lively portrayal of Grandma Addams. The creative artistry behind the scenes was also acknowledged: Ashlynn Trenchard, Zienna Ziada, and Ayla Jackson earned a nomination for Best Costume Design for The Addams Family, complemented by Tyler Greer and Michael Arcari’s nomination for Best Lighting Design on Lend Me A Tenor. Scenic design was celebrated through Justin Woychowski’s nomination for The Addams Family, and the school’s prop crew—including Dylan Walsh, Caitlyn Biancur, and Ayla Jackson—was recognized with a nod for Best Props Design. Stage management’s crucial role was honored with Justin Woychowski and Gianeli Quinones nominated for their work on Lend Me A Tenor. Lastly, the school’s dancers captured attention with a nomination for Best Dancing for their spirited performance in The Addams Family.
The accomplishments at this year’s Halo Awards highlight the dedication, creativity, and passion of West Haven High School’s students, faculty, and production teams. As the community celebrates these achievements, it eagerly anticipates the exciting performances this talented group will bring to the stage in future seasons!
Thank you for the write up. A few nominees not mentioned were DeVont’e
Campbell and Carmella Ruiz who were nominated for best duo in a play (Lend me a Tenor) and each were nominated for best actor/actress in a musical for their portrayals of Gomez and Morticia in The Addams Family. Additionally, Chase Goode was nominated for best supporting actor in Lend me a Tenor. Eddie Santiago was nominated for best actor in a classical play. All had outstanding performances.