The NHS drama department’s spring production of Guys and Dolls has earned this years group a litany of nominations and a chance to take that stage once more on Wednesday, May 27th at the Palace Theater in Waterbury for the Semina DeLaurentis Halo Awards. (Photo Credit – Lila Rodgers)

NHS Drama Department Earns 13 Nominations Ahead of Wednesday’s Halo Awards

NHS Chief Advocate Staff

May 22, 2026

WOODBURY – With yet another banner year for NHS’ drama department, the talented group has even more limelight ahead.

Later this month at the Palace Theater in Waterbury, NHS drama director Catherine Pelkey will bring her group to compete in the Halo Award night on Wednesday, May 27th. For the first time in three years the group has been nominated for one of their shows, but what makes this year’s cast unique is that both fall and spring productions have been nominated.

For Pelkey, next week’s award symbolize a unique achievement for her program.

“This year marks my fourth year working with the Nonnewaug Drama Club, and I really feel that something clicked within the students this year,” Pelkey said. “Every season, they learn and grow and develop new skills, and our two productions this year really felt like the culmination of the whole team’s dedication and commitment—and for our seniors it was. Most of the seniors in the drama program have been an integral part of productions since they were freshmen, back to my first year when the club was a lot smaller. They have been working tirelessly alongside myself and the creative team to learn how to design and program lights, how to portray the characters on stage with conviction and energy, and also how to run the entire performance from curtain to bows from the tech booth.”

Pelkey and her seniors know that it takes a collective group to make not just one, but two productions, worthy of such lofty nominations.

“Without this group of students, the club wouldn’t be half as successful as we have been this year. They’ve helped me to create a welcoming environment and encourage their peers to take creative risks,” Pelkey added. “That has resulted in energetic, entertaining performances that not only were such fun to work on but also excites the audience.”

On stage, NHS senior member June Robinson has seen the program grow during her four years and sees Wednesday’s awards show at the Palace Theater as an opportunity to showcase the wide array of talents from this year’s group.

“Over the course of four years that I’ve been a member of the NHS drama club, I’ve worked with various casts, all with different abilities and talents to offer the productions, but of all of them, this year’s cast for Dracula and Guys and Dolls, I must say, are some of the most inspiring and collaborative I’ve ever worked with as an actress, said Robinson. “I’m beyond proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish by combining our passions for theater.”

NHS senior Aubrey Fengler (center) performs during Guys and Dolls. Fengler was one of many key seniors in this year’s performances. (Photo Credit – Lila Rogers)

NHS senior member Delia Coelho understands the significance of the achievement.

“It’s an absolute honor,” Coelho said. “I’m beyond proud. This is the first time in many years since we’ve been nominated for some of these categories. I’m so proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish this year.”

What made this year’s cast and crew so impressive. Putting that into words is no easy task.

Senior June Robinson (left) performs with Desmond Palmer (right) during Guys and Dolls. (Photo Credit – Lila Rogers)

“The energy for every rehearsal and production has been at an all-time high,” Coelho said. “Everyone who’s part of these productions is passionate and it shows in all of our productions.”

From the director’s chair, earning a historic amount of nominations for next week’s awards in a feeling that defies description.

“It feels incredible to have the students’ work and performances recognized by the Halo Award judges—especially our nominations for Best Classical Play and Musical,” Pelkey said. “These two categories are some of the most prestigious awards of the night, and to be recognized for our productions as a whole (something that hasn’t happened in at least the last four years) feels like the students have really hit a huge milestone in their theater making journey. They are not only having fun during rehearsals, but their talent and performances have caught up with their passions, and we are putting on some really great shows.”

Wednesday night at the Palace Theater will provide a special type of validation for Pelkey’s collection of talented actors.

“What I think is really special about the Halo awards specifically, is that the judges who come to see our shows only evaluate the students’ work—so nothing that I or the adults on the creative team do is up for nominations; it is all drama club kids’ hard work! So, this Wednesday night is really a time for them to celebrate their dedication to theater with other students who share their same passion, from around the state. They get all dressed up and attend the awards ceremony at the Palace Theater to be recognized and lifted up by their peers (because the ceremony is overwhelmingly positive, and the students are all so supportive of each other). And no matter the outcome, this year I feel we have quite a bit to celebrate with these nominations.”

In total, the group has been nominated for 13 awards:

2026 HALO AWARD NOMINATIONS:

Best Performance in a Featured Female Role in a Play

Morgan McCann as Renfield in Dracula