STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The curtain rose — and roars of applause followed — as the 14th Annual Minty Awards lit up the historic St. George Theatre on Sunday, June 1, celebrating excellence in Catholic high school musical theater on Staten Island.

A record-breaking crowd of 1,200 students, educators, families, and local dignitaries filled the iconic venue for what has become one of the borough’s most anticipated cultural events.

Often dubbed “Staten Island’s Tony Awards,” the Mintys honor artistic achievement, school spirit, and the dedication of young performers from the island’s Catholic high schools.

This year, Notre Dame Academy took home the evening’s highest honor, the coveted St. Genesius Award for Outstanding Musical, for its high-energy production of “Mamma Mia!” — the school’s third win in the top category.

6 STATEN ISLAND CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOLS FEATURED

Broadway star and Minty alumna Analise Scarpaci returned to present the St. Genesius Award, which Notre Dame Academy previously earned for “Xanadu” in 2018 and “Jesus Christ Superstar” in 2017.

Hosted by Minty Award winners James McKeon and Kirsten Kaiser, the evening showcased 7-minute performance selections from each participating school, as well as a custom opening number.

Featured schools included:

• Monsignor Farrell High School – “Jesus Christ Superstar”
• Moore Catholic High School – “Mary Poppins”
• Notre Dame Academy – “Mamma Mia!”
• St. Joseph By-The-Sea High School – “Shrek the Musical”
• St. Joseph Hill Academy – “Disney’s The Little Mermaid”
• St. Peter’s Boys High School – “Sweeney Todd”

“We are not just celebrating musicals — we’re celebrating community, faith and the transformative power of the arts,” said Kayla McBratney, executive director of The Minty Awards and a former Minty recipient. “These students raise the bar every year, and tonight they reminded us why the arts matter — perhaps more than ever.”

THE 2025 MINTY AWARD WINNERS

Among those presenting awards were City Council Members David Carr and Frank Morano, and District Attorney Michael McMahon.

The 2025 Minty Awards winners are:

• St. Genesius Award for Outstanding Musical: “Mamma Mia!” – Notre Dame Academy
• Outstanding Leading Actor: Ryan Albertson – “Jesus Christ Superstar”
• Outstanding Leading Actress: Ella Dreher – “Shrek the Musical”
• Outstanding Supporting Actor: Sean Penias – “Disney’s The Little Mermaid”
• Outstanding Supporting Actress: Sofia Fink – “Mamma Mia!”
• Outstanding Featured Actor: Justin Chi – “Disney’s The Little Mermaid”
• Outstanding Featured Actress (TIE): Marlowe Ferrie – “Mamma Mia!” & Allison Kuhn – “Sweeney Todd”
• Outstanding Featured Dancer: Gabriela Favuzza – “Mary Poppins”
• Outstanding Chorus: “Mamma Mia!” – Notre Dame Academy
• Outstanding Choreography: “Mary Poppins” – Moore Catholic High School
• Outstanding Artistic Design: “Mamma Mia!” – Notre Dame Academy
• Outstanding Production Number: “Step in Time” – “Mary Poppins”, Moore Catholic High School

2025 THEATRE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR AWARD

Jann Amato, Regional Superintendent of Catholic Schools, presented the 2025 Theatre Players of the Year Award to:

• Ryan Albertson (Msgr. Farrell)
• Caleb Rivera (Moore Catholic)
• Isabella Gramegna (Notre Dame Academy)
• Ella Dreher (St. Joseph By-The-Sea)
• Sean Woods (St. Joseph Hill Academy)
• Tommy Polyzos (St. Peter’s Boys)

Notre Dame Academy will receive a $5,000 grant for its performing arts program as part of the St. Genesius Award. Each of the other participating schools will receive $2,000.

MINTY ORGANIZATION GIVES BACK

Since its founding in 2010, The Minty Organization for the Performing Arts has given back more than $150,000 to local high school theater programs — fostering creativity, discipline and teamwork in the next generation of performers.

The 2024–2025 Minty Awards season is generously supported by a number of dedicated sponsors. Northfield Bank serves as the Season Sponsor, while Councilmembers David Carr and Frank Morano are this year’s Council Sponsors.

Event co-sponsors include Jimmy Max, The Law Office of Ted V. Parnese, The Montanti Family, The Lois & Richard Nicotra Foundation and Wagner College.

Mr. and Mrs. Donato Pinto, along with the Northfield Bank Foundation, are Platinum Sponsors. Gold Sponsors for the season include Verrazzano Rotary, AJR Creative Solutions, Great Escapes Travel, Gallo & Spero LLP, The Manor and a collection of local restaurants.

MISSION OF MINTY ORGANIZATION

The Minty Organization for the Performing Arts is dedicated to honoring the sacrifice and dedication of Catholic high school students involved in dramatic arts programs.

The organization aims to establish a lasting tradition that promotes and celebrates these programs, their performers, and the communities that support them.

The Minty Awards recognize the exceptional self-discipline, teamwork and faith demonstrated by these students and their schools, highlighting their efforts and achievements as shining examples within the broader arts and education landscape.