Tucked underneath the high-popularity, talent-demanding high school musicals and senior high plays is a stage production that many in the North Allegheny community have long overlooked — until this past week. This fall, the Intermediate High School presented Charlotte’s Web, a charming show about a pig and a spider seeking friendship in unlikely places. For many spectators, the show was heartwarming, but for the judges in the audience, it was an impressive, award-worthy performance.

The plays, usually directed by NAI school counselors, Mr. Kiggins and Mrs. Feliciani, took a new approach this year, and it paid off. The two directors submitted the show for the Prime Stage High School Drama Awards, which forced the dynamic of the rehearsal process to be changed. Rather than Kiggins and Feliciani leading, as usual, NASH seniors Ian Rampton, Julia Moose, Aleni Antalis, and Skylar Rodgers were handed directors’ hats.

“Turning over control was stressful,” said Kiggins. “There are so many deadlines and budgets to follow that many do not realize are a part of a production. There were moments that were more trying, but as usual, the play came together in the end and they did an outstanding job.”

Rampton and Moose, both former NAI play participants, focused on the cast’s acting and blocking the show.

“I was extremely enthusiastic about having a more hands-on approach to the play, and it was really a unique opportunity to express my creativity,” said Moose. “After I began to become more comfortable with the show and the cast, directing became much easier and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.”

Antalis and Rodgers worked on the creative side of the show. Antalis, who plans to major in design and art in college, focused on scenic design for the set, while Rodgers took charge of costumes and props.

The four seniors worked alongside each other, with support from Kiggins and Feliciani and the help of three NASH juniors, to put on a series of five performances. Joining the audience on Saturday afternoon were representatives from the High School Drama Awards Review Committee, who judged the show and decided which, if any, of their 15 award categories the performance might contend for.

By Saturday night, once the cast had hung up their costumes after the final performance, Kiggins received the long-awaited email.

“We told the cast and crew that we did not know which performance on Saturday the selection committee was coming to, even though we totally knew,” said Kiggins. “The cast was anticipating the news all day. When we told them to meet after the final performance to hear the announcement, they were so excited.”

And they had every right to be. Between the cast and crew, NAI’s production of Charlotte’s Web was nominated for 13 of the 15 awards, including Best Overall Production and Best Crew. Along with these teamwork-driven awards, each of the senior student directors was nominated for individual awards to honor the hard work and time put into the show.

Moose was nominated for Best Student Director, Rampton for Best Student Lighting Design as well as Best Student Production Manager, Antalis for Best Student Scenic Design, and Rodgers for Best Student Costume Design and Best Student Stage Manager.

“I’m really proud of the set, and I’m glad that others noticed all of the detail and hard work that went into it,” said Antalis, who is eager to place the nomination on her resume.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to represent a program I am so proud of,” said Moose, “and I feel that the hard work that I and the rest of the cast, crew, and directors put forth was evident in the final product.”

The cast and crew plan to attend the awards ceremony in March of 2020, with much anticipation for the final results that lie ahead.

“I feel [the cast] will hold their own against the other schools nominated, but even if they do not win — as the cliche goes — it was a pleasure to be nominated,” said Kiggins.