2008 Youth Awards

The youth awards for 2007-2008:

Michael Rogers - Youth Initiative Award

The Youth Theatre and Education Program is proud to honor Michael Rogers with this year's Youth Initiative Award.

Michael has taken 13 classes in the past two years! During that time he also served as a Teaching Assistant for a variety of classes. Last year, Michael was one of the dueling knights in Merlin And The Cave Of Dreams and was also a member of the cast of our Trouping show, Wind Of A Thousand Tales. Most of his time outside of school and theatre is spent helping his mother with his energetic younger brother to whom Michael is lovingly devoted. When he can find the time, Michael does make an effort to pursue his other love, the guitar.

About to graduate from High School, Michael has earned the respect of the RLT staff and faculty. Teacher and Director, Staci Sabarsky says, "I have watched this young man over the past two years grow from a quiet and unassuming boy to a confident young man. As a Teaching Assistant, he is always eager to volunteer, to help whenever needed and to set the example for the younger students. As a student, Michael has grown into a fine young actor who takes risks and gives his whole heart to each performance. I had the pleasure of having Michael, aka Fred, in this year's trouping show, Wind Of A Thousand Tales. His dedication not only as an actor but as an accompanist on the guitar won him the loyalty and friendship of this director and his cast mates. I wish Michael the best of luck pursuing his dreams and hope he returns to RLT to share his gifts and enthusiasm for theatre in the future." Congratulations Michael!

Emma Rich - Youth Initiative Award

The Youth Theatre and Education Program is proud to honor Emma Rich with this year's Youth Initiative Award.

Emma has taken classes here for the past three years and has served as a valuable Teaching Assistant for the past two. She began her acting career at Ligon Middle School appearing in Don't Rock The Boat, Get Smart and Damn Yankees. She is an honor student and rising sophomore at Raleigh Charter High School, where she is a member of the Tennis and Swim teams. Last year she appeared in Raleigh Charter's production of Cinderella under the direction of Maggie Rasnick. She was also one of those crusty pirates in Raleigh Little Theatre's production of Peter Pan. Emma has also been a member of Raleigh Little Theatre's Summer Advanced Musical Theatre Conservatory Ensemble for the past two years. The RLT faculty is privileged to have this young woman as a Teaching Assistant.

According to RLT Faculty Member and frequent Musical Director, Mary Kathryn Walston, "She is my favorite TA to teach with! She brings nothing but positive energy and happiness to the class room. She is always very uplifting and encouraging with the students and seems very comfortable communicating the class material. She is extremely responsible and I never worry about leaving the students in her care. I am so proud that she is receiving the Youth Initiative Award. She certainly deserves it!" Congratulations Emma!

Carlie Huberman - Youth Achievement Award

The Youth Theatre and Education Program is proud to award Carlie Huberman with this year's Youth Achievement Award.

Carlie has been taking classes at RLT since she was 6 years old. She recently graduated from Enloe High school where she was a member of The National Honor Society, an AP Scholar, a Home Room Representative and a member of the Music Club, Marching Band, Amnesty International Club and The Young Democrats Club. She was also the Co-Captain of the Gymnastics Team and a member of the Track and Field Team and was the first girl pole vaulter for Enloe!

She has also played the French horn since she was 10 years old and has been a member of Enloe Symphony Orchestra, the Enloe Wind Ensemble,The Triangle Youth Symphony, The Triangle Youth Philharmonic, The North Carolina Honor Symphony Orchestra and the East Regional Symphony Orchestra to name some. She was in the pit orchestra for Enloe's Little Women and Long Lake's Les Mis. Carlie's outside School athletic pursuits include Aerial Acrobatics and Orienteering where she placed 3rd at the US Interscholastic Championships at the age of 10.

Carlie has also participated in The Renaissance Faire for fours years. Other theatre credits include roles in Pippin, A Chorus Line and Fiddler On The Roof. At RLT she played the lead in A Secret Garden and was very active in Storytellers appearing in The Crucible and Rosencrantz and Guilenstern Are Dead. She has also served as a Light Crew Chief for two RLT productions. She has been an AD and a Dresser for Cinderella for the past two years and has just completed a 6 hour a week internship with RLT, which includes assisting teachers and office help.

After graduation, Carlie plans to spend the summer in Costa Rica doing community service and then it's off to American University with plans to major in Film Production & Public Relations with a minor in International Relations. We are proud that she has shared her talents with us at RLT. Of this student, Associate Education Director, Kathleen Rudolph writes, " I always know I can count on her to manage any situation that comes up in class. I especially enjoyed her TA'ing RLT Players because I could give her a scene and let her use her creativity to take it where it needed to go. She did an amazing job interning in the box office this year. She would always stop by my office to see if we needed help with anything. We will miss her! Congratulations Carlie!

Allison Powell - Youth Achievement Award

The Youth theatre and Education Program is proud to award Allison Powell with this year's Youth Achievement Award.

Allison has taken classes at RLT for the past 10 years since she was seven years old. She has been a valuable Teaching Assistant for the past four years and has appeared in numerous RLT productions including The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Jack And The Beanstalk, Honk!, The Emperor's New Clothes, James And The Giant Peach, Petite Rouge and The Reluctant Dragon. This summer she will appear as Ozma In Ozma Of Oz: A Tale In Time. She frequently ushers for RLT shows and is always available when the Youth Program puts out a call for volunteers.

At Cary Applause Theatre she appeared in Winnie The Pooh, The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow, Pocahontas and Beauty And The Beast. Other activities include active membership in the 4 H Club and also in The Augustine Project, an organization training tutors to teach literacy skills to economically disadvantaged children. According to Youth Theatre and Education Director, Linda O'Day Young, "I have been a fellow cast member with this young lady and I have directed her as well. Having her as a member of a cast is a truly wonderful thing. Not only does she bring individual talent, responsibility and creativity to the project, she also brings an immense amount of positive energy, kindness and team spirit. The show benefits by her presence."

Associate Education Director, Kathleen Rudolph says, " I have known Allison since she was 10 years old, back when she took her first camp in Apex. I knew right away what a special person she was. She cared for her fellow amperes and this appreciation of others has continued in all the years I have known her. Allison has been my TA for many years and I have worked with her on stage as fellow actors and have also directed her in 2 shows. She is always a joy to be with. Congratulations, Allison!

You are here: Home > Youth Awards > 2008 Youth Awards