Five theater students from Wantagh High School were recently recognized in the 2026 Roger Rees Awards, reflecting a variety of talents including acting, dancing, singing and costume design. 

 

Junior Stella Storic was honored in the Costume Designer Showcase. Students in the Page to Stage: Directing and Design class submitted costume designs for characters in the Broadway show, “La Cage aux Folles.” Stella’s designs were featured at the Roger Rees Awards on May 17 at Symphony Space. She also receives a $200 prize, an opportunity to interact with City Center Encores! creative team members, and two tickets to “La Cage aux Folles” in June along with a backstage tour.

Stella has been part of the stage crew for Wantagh High School’s drama and musical productions since freshman year.

Sophomore Peyton Burlew and junior Jackson Lehrer were among students recognized in the annual New Faces competition. Peyton was named a 2026 New Faces honoree in acting, and Jackson earned the accolade in dance. Only 10 students from the New York region were selected for each category. They got to take part in a full-day enrichment program at Open Jar Studios on May 9, which included a masterclass in their respective discipline, as well as workshops and question-and-answer sessions with casting directors. They were also recognized on stage at the May 17 Roger Rees Awards.

For her nomination, Peyton recorded a monologue from “Puffs,” the fall 2024 drama production, during which she played Megan Jones. She has been involved with Wantagh theater since sixth grade and took The Art of Improv in the fall semester. 

“I’m really honored that other people notice that I have acting talent,” she said.

Jackson recorded a video performing a self-choreographed, two-and-a-half minute piece, “Internal Drift.” He has been dancing since he was 6 years old with a local studio and began competitively dancing at 7. This year, he is enrolled in the Choreography and Dance class at Wantagh High School and assisted with choreography for the middle school’s spring musical, “Dare to Dream.”

Following their performances in the spring musical, “Annie,” sophomore Angelina DiTroia and junior Ryan Mundy were nominees for the Outstanding Performer in a Musical Award. Angelina played Miss Hannigan and Ryan took on the role of Mr. Warbucks. As nominees, they both participated in a session at LIU Post on May 2 that incorporated an individual audition and a group masterclass. 

For Angelina’s audition, she sang “Little Girls,” her main solo piece from “Annie,” while Ryan performed “Something Was Missing.” Both students have been involved with Wantagh theater since sixth grade. Angelina said it was fun to play a villain in this year’s show because of the creative freedom, and Ryan enjoyed portraying a more mature character after being cast as a young social media influencer in “1660 Vine” in the fall.

“These hardworking and talented students are very deserving of the recognition,” said Dr. Kimberly Davis, Wantagh High School theater teacher and director of the fall and spring drama productions. “I'm excited that our new course offerings – Choreography and Dance, and Directing and Design – are allowing students new opportunities to shine.”