By ELIZABETH LITTLE
Sentinel staff
SOMERS POINT — There were speeches, laughs, tears and entertaining musical breaks Sunday, July 11, as supporters and members of the Greater Ocean City Theatre Company gathered at Greate Bay Country Club to honor the 2021 OCTC scholarship recipients.
The scholarship brunch, dubbed the “Broadway Banquet” by the theater company, was the 10th annual event, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization was unable to host a ceremony last year.
The OCTC, like all entertainment and performance organizations, struggled amid the pandemic. Jeremy Galloza, a member of the OCTC who is studying theater in college, said that when the pandemic first hit, he was unsure how his theater career would continue.
“It was heartbreaking because I saw how fragile it all was. I think all of us, in 10 years, need to invest and be invested in the arts. Because without that, what happens when the next big thing happens? If they don’t give us a seat at the table, we make our own,” Galloza said.
To raise funds for the company, vendors and businesses donated gift baskets, certificates or comps to be raffled off at the end of the event. The Philadelphia Eagles donated a basket of authentic merchandise and apparel signed by player Sua Opeta. Hard Rock Casino and Hotel donated dining credit, The Academy of Ballroom Dancing in Northfield donated a comp for lessons and Yoga Ginger of Ocean City donated free classes to be raffled off. There was wine, art, framed photographs and children’s toys, among other things.
“It’s been two years without theater and I do think that the lack of arts, performing arts, music and dance is a big reason why our world has been so disjointed,” said Michael Hartman, artistic director of the OCTC. “The arts bring people together, no matter what you believe. That’s what today is all about, as we celebrate arts in Ocean City and the surrounding area, and most importantly put the spotlight on tremendous young people. This is a really cool class because most of them started in third grade.”
The scholarship recipients — Aidan Brandt, Kayla DeAngelis, Carter Erickson, Mike Faverzani, Julie Stinson, Erik Wagner and Julia Wilson — all recently graduated from high school and will be attending college. Each winner was given the opportunity to make a speech.
“OCTC is my home and my stage family. There’s nothing that compares to taking the stage with OCTC. Being a part of this company has taught me many lessons beyond theater, such as accountability, leadership, responsibility, dedication and more,” said Stinson, who spends her summers in Ocean City but also resides in Lancaster, Pa.
Brandt’s speech took a more comical and nostalgic tone.
“I’d also like to thank my friends. You guys have made coming back each summer worth it. Whether it’s a Wawa run during dinner break or trying to figure out how to split the bill seven ways at Prep’s [Pizza], it’s never a dull moment with you guys,” Brandt said.
Brandt will attend La Salle University, where he plans to study communications in the fall “with the intent of becoming a news anchor.”
DeAngelis, who plans to double major in musical theater and psychology at Tulane University, said she was grateful for finding the OCTC.
“The first thing my mom and I did when we found out we would be spending our summers down here was researching a theater company in the area, which led us to find out about the Ocean City Theatre Company,” DeAngelis said. “I have felt welcome with open arms ever since the first time I stepped into the studio at the corner of 15th [Street] and West [Avenue].”
Faverzani told the story about how he got involved in theater with the OCTC, saying he never actually intended to do so but just followed his siblings. He said it was one of the greatest decisions he has made. Faverzani said he plans to go to Villanova University to double major in math and history in the fall.
“What I’m going to do with that [double major], I don’t know yet,” Faverzani joked.
OCTC alumna Morgan Kirner performed “Ribbons Down My Back” from the musical “Hello, Dolly!” and later performed “Gimme Gimme (That Thing Called Love)” from “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”
The scholarship speeches continued, with words from Wilson and Wagner.
“OCTC was hands-down the best thing to ever happen to me, and continues to do that for other kids waiting to blossom into the best possible versions of themselves,” Wilson said.
Assemblyman Antwan McClellan, a former city councilman, and state Sen. Michael Testa made an appearance at the banquet to present each scholarship winner a citation.
“Honestly with COVID-19 having shut down everything for so long, you can see that these young individuals really needed this theater, and the community aspect of this theater. Their admiration for each other, the community they’ve created, I think they will carry that with them wherever they go,” Testa said.
To finish out the ceremony, OCTC show choir went out with a bang with a performance of Katy Perry’s “Firework” and “Waving Through a Window” from the hit Broadway musical “Dear Evan Hansen.” The female vocalists were decked out in white, tulle corset-back dresses encrusted with rhinestones, while the male vocalists wore polos and red slacks. The performance was complete with choreography and a standing ovation from the audience.