Phila Independence Awards

PHILADELPHIA INDEPENDENCE AWARDS

The Philadelphia Independence Awards celebrates regional high school musical theater and its student artists by providing rigorous development for existing high school theater programs, promoting diverse elements of the professional theater community and fostering support for under-resourced school theater programs. 

The CB East Patriot Players are proud members of the Philadelphia Independence Awards!

SOME OF OUR ADJUDICATOR REVIEWS OF ANASTASIA (April 3-6, 2025)

“Overall, what is there to say? This show really sets the bar for a high school production. In all areas, this show was masterful. The students exude a quiet confidence that I am certain comes from the top. There was no need to overact. The technical parts of the show supported the storytelling but never competed with it. From costumes, to staging, to lighting, to the live orchestra, every piece added to the mood and each student lifted each other up so that all actors on stage received the highest rating possible… Congrats CB East on this gorgeous production of Anastasia”

“Central Bucks East High School's Anastasia was a polished and beautifully performed production, led by a superb and well-prepared cast. The storytelling was clear and confident, with strong vocal and ensemble work throughout. Overall, a thoughtful and impressive production from a very talented cast.”

“The technical team for Anastasia at Central Bucks East did an exceptional job supporting the production with precision and care. Quick changes were executed seamlessly, which is no small feat given the complexity of the costumes. The lighting cues were perfectly timed and played a vital role in enhancing the mood and storytelling throughout the show. Every technical element worked together smoothly, adding depth and professionalism to an already stunning production.”

“I LOVED this production of Anastasia! I saw this on Broadway and I think I liked today's production even better. The students' voices were extraordinary with one students' voice better than the next. The show had an energy that carried the audience into the world of early 20th century Russia and then drew us in. What I Ioved most about this show was each student's commitment to character. I felt like each actor knew who they were and why they were doing everything they did. There was no lifting my arm up here because my director told me to do that. It felt like each character moved in a way that was truthful to the story they were telling. Each song was delivered by a storyteller, not just a singer. That characterization was evident not just in the leads but across the whole ensemble.”

“I absolutely loved the train number! I loved the creative staging to change directions of the train. This was some of the strongest dancing I have seen in a show especially in terms of synchronization. The partner dancing was elegant and enchanting. It looked like a lot of time was spent on timing. Bravo for actually doing a ballet number during the ballet.”

“This show was magical, and magic does not happen without the tech crew. The lighting was extraordinary! The effect when the family was killed was powerful and creative. Also loved the lighting when the music box played and the lighting during the rumor song. I loved the backdrops and the use of lighting on them. The lighting at the end of Act 1 was just perfect. The stage crew moved quickly and effectively, moving the many set and scenic pieces on and off seamlessly. I liked that many times actors were moving things on and off to help with the speed of transitions. The sound mix was perfectly balanced between the orchestra and the actors… The costumes in this show were just gorgeous and definitely helped transport me to Russia and then Paris. While an adult did the design, I can appreciate the amount of work done by Ella to oversee this show while in production. This show was incredibly well directed and if having a student director helps elevate a show to the level I saw today, this is an excellent role and Julia N really excelled. Congrats tech team!”

“A wonderful performance of a difficult show. So much talent not just of those on stage but of those that dressed them and those that made it happen. Glad to see so much student leadership is varied areas. The costuming of this production- from ball gowns to ballet tutus to shoes! Staging was wonderful. Great use of the whole stage and making every actor be seen. Congratulations on a great show. Thank you for the opportunity to see your show.”

“This production of Anastasia was absolutely beautiful, filled with energy and heart from the entire cast. The ensemble's performance in "A Rumor in St. Petersburg" immediately captured the audience's attention and held it all the way through. With so many unique characters interacting and reacting to one another, the scene truly came alive. It felt like a real, bustling small town. There was one actor in particular during Paris Holds the Key, in a red dress and matching red hat who was completely in the moment, bringing her own story to life through her performance. I loved the specific choices she made.”

“A highlight of the show was the dynamic duo of Vlad and Lily. Vlad entered with a strong, lovable character and flawless comedic timing. And though Lily doesn't appear until Act II, she made an unforgettable impression with her commanding presence and incredible energy. Watching the two of them play off each other was truly brilliant. They were both funny, charming, and full of chemistry that had the audience rooting for them. Overall such an incredible show.”

“The show overall was spectacular, and I thought there were many standouts. The ensemble of the show really shines and keeps the show from dragging. Helena as Anya was marvelous and gave an absolutely stunning performance.”

“The show was spectacular overall, and the level of talent was eye-opening. Everyone worked well together in keeping the pace and energy high from beginning to end.”

“The crew did a wonderful job of keeping the set changes moving effectually and without distraction. Sound and sound effects were flawlessly delivered, and the lighting was well executed and added to the overall production quality. The costumes were gorgeous - fit for a professional production - and helped to transport the audience to Russia and Paris and out of a high school auditorium.”

“I mean... wow. you have quite the talent bench! I have yet to score so many lead and supporting actors/vocalists so consistently high. But, you also directed them well and supported them with beautiful staging, choreography, costumes and set, and so it resulted in a very professional feeling experience that is rare in a high school. Congrats and well done.”

“Overall, Central Bucks High School East's production of Anastasia was a triumph, with stunning performances, beautiful technical elements, and a clear dedication to creating a high-quality show. The performances were filled with emotional depth and chemistry, while the technical aspects—particularly the costumes, lighting, and projections—enhanced the overall experience.”

“I thought your production felt very professional, and I thought your actors handled the material with a level of maturity beyond their years. The story felt authentically told, and the crew kept the energy moving forward with quick, safe scene changes. Your actors created characters that felt very real while still having a certain flair that made them entertaining to watch. I also want to give a shout-out to your choreographer, Alicia, for creating beautiful movement that captured the feeling of each song beautifully. Overall, you, your students, and your creative team should be very proud of the show you brought to life. Welcome to the Philadelphia Independence Awards.”

“This was incredible. A really highly professional polished performance. The actors were expertly trained and coached and still given room and agency to show their own personalities in each role. Terrific standouts from entire cast. Overall, this show is a stand out of the current season and should be a contender for top recognition. The young actors met the high bar of musical difficulty and the challenges of heavy themes of war deathly love loyalty. Mature and gifted cast. Superbly directed.”

 

SOME OF OUR ADJUDICATOR REVIEWS OF JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (March 27-29, 2026)

OVERALL:

• WOW - what a fantastic performance. From start to finish your amazing leads, ensemble, technical crew and everyone involved here put on easily one of the best performances I've seen this year. Everything about this show was high quality. Every student gave their all and it was so easy to see all the heart and soul that went into this production - that all starts from the top. Great work from all of the leadership. Thank you for a wonderful night of theater and high quality production that was truly enjoyable from start to finish.

• This show was really fast-paced and fun, just as it should be, but also with a heart behind it, too – the fun numbers were fun, but then they were also able to pull at our heartstrings with a breathtaking "Close Every Door"! Great job – I loved the show!

• Your show was an absolute party, from start to finish. I first saw this show on a trip with my Hebrew school when I was ten or eleven years old, but aside from the movie version, I have not seen another performance since. I am so, so glad that I returned to this show with your school's production, and I am doubly glad that I got to introduce my son to the show in this way, as well. He kept turning to me with the biggest smile on his face, which is a high compliment from a teenager. Webber shows are big, flashy, and tough to execute with the right balance of silliness and seriousness for the subject matter, and your production found that balance skillfully.

• This production was very well done. The cast delivered performances that were engaging, polished, and full of energy. It was infectious how much they enjoyed the show and doing the show.

• A delight to watch! With so much excitement from beginning to end there was never a dull moment.

• Every student gave their all and it was so easy to see all the heart and soul that went into this production - that all starts

  from the top. Great work from all of the leadership.

• Overall, this show featured excellent design work, incredible performances, and was a joy to experience.

• Overall, the high energy from every individual in this show made it such an exciting performance.

  PERFORMANCE:

• ENSEMBLE - Totally pro job delivered by all! Every student on stage did a great job of playing their character and never mailing it in. You could look anywhere on the stage and no matter what role they had, be it a lead or a minor character in the background - everyone was always in the game, engaged and performing! This shows maturity as performers and great leadership - Bravo!

• The ensemble did a great job in this production. They demonstrated strong energy, focus, and commitment throughout the show. As a group, they contributed greatly to the storytelling and keeping the show moving forward. Their acting was engaged and expressive and supported both the humor and heart of the show. The ensemble worked well together, maintaining strong awareness of one another on stage and creating a cohesive picture. Vocally, they performed with solid musicality and a good sense of blend. They navigated the wide range of musical styles in the show with confidence and contributed effectively to both large ensemble numbers and smaller group moments.

• You could tell right from his first moment on stage that Santiago is a well-seasoned performer with loads of talent, confidence, charisma and star power. No notes - he knocked it out of the park! Fantastic!

• Joseph was phenomenal in every way. His control over his character was outstanding. His voice was unique, mature, and powerful. He used it to create layers of emotion that made his storytelling both fun and moving. He led the show with confidence but also knew how to step back and give other characters their moments. His physical movements were fluid and precise. He never disconnected from his character, even when not the focus. His ability to stay fully present and intentional in every movement was truly remarkable.

• Narrators - SLAM DUNK! All 4 girls did an amazing job - and even though they were extremely talented individually - they really shined as a whole. Their harmony was always on point and locked in - with a beautiful blend. It was obvious that they worked hard to make this "role" work for all 4 of them. Just an all-around beautiful job!

• I will admit, I was curious as to how well a "Narrator by committee" would work, as I have only ever seen/heard this role as a singular entity. Well, you made me a believer! Each of the four singers was strong in her own right, but they had different vocal qualities that allowed them each to shine and maintain individuality... captivating to watch as a unit.

• The dancing ensemble was outstanding. Their uniformity in hairstyles, outfits, and movements was impressive. They worked as a true unit. I truly could brag on each one of them.

• The dance ensemble was stellar. They were well coordinated, and they maintained strong awareness of spacing and formations on stage. They brought strong energy and enthusiasm to each number and created a fun and cohesive visual picture supporting the storytelling through movement.

• Song of the King - I loved everything about this song. Vocals, staging, lighting and choreography were all outstanding! Dylan showed his rockstar personality and talent throughout this number. The staging was perfect as well as the lighting for this song and it really looked like we were at a concert. I thought that out of all the big numbers in the show, this was the cleanest from an ensemble standpoint. Everyone slayed on this one - and really showed some pro level work! GREAT JOB!

• I want to show out The Baker as they were captivating whenever on stage. Their facial expressions were exaggerated yet believable. They added humor and depth to all of their characters.

• The students portraying the brothers delivered a strong and cohesive performance, bringing energy and individual character to their roles. As a group, they demonstrated clear commitment to the storytelling and effectively conveyed the sibling dynamics, humor, and personality of the brothers throughout the production. They interacted well with one another on stage, creating believable relationships and supporting the overall narrative. Vocally, the group handled the score with solid musicality and a good sense of ensemble blend contributing to both featured and group numbers.

• Choreography was strong and synchronized...A stand-out moment to me was when the folks with the Anubis heads were turning their heads in time with one section of music—those seemingly "smaller" choreography bits are sometimes the ones I love the most.

• The orchestra delivered a very good and supportive performance in this production. Their playing demonstrated solid preparation and an understanding of the varying styles of music required throughout the score. They generally maintained good balance and cohesion with effective pacing. They did not overpower but rather supported the cast.

• Keeping the energy of the show moving forward, the orchestra provided a steady backbone for the show. They maintained section balance, captured each different musical style excellently, and had a ton of groove throughout the show.

  TECHNICAL:

• There were so many great technical elements in this show! Most of the scene changes went very smoothly! The transitions of the stairs especially felt very smooth and efficiently swift!

• Your shift crew/stage management team executed safe, quiet, efficient changes throughout the show that allowed the ebb and flow of energy to continue moving forward, keeping the audience engaged.

• The student shift crew did an excellent job in this production. They demonstrated strong organization, focus, and attention to detail, helping the production run smoothly from scene to scene. Transitions were handled seamlessly allowing the pace and flow of the show to be maintained with distraction. They were invisible on the stage. Their contribution played a vital role in the overall success and polish of the production.

• Loved the camel and surprise sheep!

• I was very impressed with the lighting design of this show. With such a fantastical story it gives the designer a lot of opportunity to play, and they did not disappoint! There were so many fun moments. For example, in "Joseph's Coat," watching the back of the stage quickly change color to each color they were singing was very exciting. While there were many fun lighting moments like those, there were also many beautiful ones too. I loved in the top of act two there was a moment where one of the narrators sings "At the end of the tunnel there's a glimmer of light," and then the lights moved and seemed to "glimmer" preparing the audience for the excitement that is to come next in Joseph's story. However, I think the most beautiful moment was right before "Benjamin Calypso" when Joseph was looking at Benjamin right before it seemed like he was going to make his decision. The way the light shined on Benjamin immediately brought the audience into Joseph's mind and raised the stakes of that moment in such a beautiful way. It was a moment of true theater magic...amazing work!

• My number one takeaway from this show was how incredible the lighting was. I had to remind myself repeatedly that this was programmed by a student, and one who should be so incredibly proud of their work. The cues were just complex enough that they were interesting, but not too difficult to pull off. Though, it would be difficult for an average high schooler, this board op is clearly not an average one. Even some choices went against traditional "rules" of theatrical lighting, but I think they worked anyway.

• Making the actors pop on stage was your costume crew. Their vision throughout the show was clear, with unified group looks that let the audience know who each character was.... Now, I mean this in the most absolutely loving way, but I was wondering if the inspiration for the Narrators' costumes came from The Wiggles, as they were dressed in the same four colors that group uses. I have such great admiration for what The Wiggles do, as they are, at their core, storytellers, just like the Narrators. Having four unique looks among the four Narrators allowed their individual personalities to shine, but all four still felt cohesive as a unit. I really enjoyed all the costumes and was very impressed by the breadth of work this team accomplished.

• The costume team did an excellent job in researching, coordinating, and finalizing the costumes for this production. Their work reflected thoughtful planning and a clear understanding of how the costumes would support individual characters as well as telling the whole story. The costumes were effective in defining time and place as well as the style of the song... The team further managed dressing responsibilities efficiently throughout the performance. Quick changes were handled smoothly, contributing to the flow of the show.

• The sound was so well balanced. This is especially impressive given the live orchestra and large cast.

• With so many actors on stage and so many open mics it would be easy to get overwhelmed and lose control. This was not the case here - as Megan did a fantastic job. The mix was generally well balanced, well EQ'd and professionally handled. GREAT WORK!

• One of the most impressive aspects of the direction was the commitment to purposeful movement. Joseph demonstrated an incredible level of control over his physicality. He avoided any unnecessary movements. Every gesture and step served a purpose. This level of intentionality is rare. It speaks to both the performer's skill and the quality of the direction.

Congratulations to the Cast & Crew of JOSEPH for 11 Nominations from the 2026 Phila Independence Awards:

Lead Actor Nominee: Santiago Zarate Martinez

Featured Actor Nominee: Ryan Federkiewicz

Male Vocalist Nominee: Santiago Zarate Martinez

Small Ensemble Nominee: Narrators (Hailey D., Emery F., Sarah M., Jillian S.)

Orchestra Nominee: CBE Orchestra

Ensemble Nominee: Joseph Company

Light Nominee: CBE Light Crew

Sound Nominee: CBE Sound Crew

Costumes Nominee: CBE Costume Crew

SHOW Nominee: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Jimmy Awards Actor Nominee: Santiago Zarate Martinez