The Columbia High School Pit Orchestra performing music for “Into the Woods” (courtesy Columbia Players).
Columbia High School received two nominations for the 2025 High School Musical Theatre Awards, which was announced by the Collaborative School of the Arts at Proctors last week.
Holly Thorpe ’26 (Best Supporting Performer) and the Columbia High School Pit Orchestra (Best Student Orchestra) were nominated for the Columbia Players’ production of “Into the Woods.”
Winners will be announced at the High School Musical Theatre Awards on Saturday, May 10 at Proctors in Schenectady. Tickets go on sale April 18.
“Holly Thorpe shines not only as Rapunzel but as a centerpiece of the Musical Theater Program,” said T.J. Collins-Gutierrez, director of the Columbia Players. “Holly is welcoming to new students and always makes sure she is off book (memorized) and with fresh ideas. A great actress to collaborate with! We’re really looking forward to seeing what Holly does next year!!!”
The Columbia Pit Orchestra is directed by Columbia Music Department Chair Scott Halliday, who is retiring at the end of this school year.
“Mr. Halliday and his orchestra stole hearts last year with Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and this year the challenge of Sondheim’s ‘Into The Woods,'” said Mr. Collins-Gutierrez. “Scott’s meticulous knowledge of the scores is only complemented by his innate feel of the heart with which it needs to be executed. Columbia Players will miss his orchestra direction immensely.”
Columbia was nominated for Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Student Orchestra for Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” last year.
In 2018, Columbia won Best Musical for “Cinderella” and in 2019 won Best Musical for “Big Fish.”
Best Student Orchestra
- Albany High School – “Bring It On”
- Ballston Spa High School – “Catch Me If You Can”
- Columbia High School – “Into the Woods”
- Niskayuna High School – “Sunset Boulevard”
- Shenendehowa High School – “Legally Blonde”
Best Supporting Performer
- Serenity Palmer as Tomika Spencer-Williams in “School of Rock,” Schenectady High School
- Sarah Pipino as Brooke Wyndham in “Legally Blonde,” Saratoga Springs High School
- Elizabeth Signoretti as Penny Pingleton in “Hairspray,” Catskill High School
- Lily Sinnott as Serena in “Legally Blonde,” Shenendehowa High School
- Holly Thorpe as Rapunzel in “Into the Woods,” Columbia High School