Sophia Benson ’14 Voted NCS Performing Artist of the Year

Sophia “Fia” Benson ’14 and William Ogden Moore (STA ’14) have been named the 2014 NCS/STA Outstanding Performing Artists. Each year, an NCS senior and a STA senior are selected by a combined vote of the NCS and STA Upper School students. The recipients have their names inscribed on a plaque, presented by NCS Head of School Kathleen O’Neill Jamieson and STA Head of School Vance Wilson. The award, established in 2002, is donated by former STA parent Joyce Brently and her son Nick, STA ’02.  The winners were announced at the annual Performing Arts Banquet held May 20 at St. Albans (the two schools alternate hosting the banquet). 

The evening’s special guest speaker was Ethan McSweeny, STA ’89, an award-winning theatrical director with more than 65 productions to his credit. McSweeny gave an engaging account of how he received the received Columbia’s first-ever undergraduate degree in theater and dramatic arts, then learned his craft through a series of apprenticeships before breaking into Broadway at the age of 29. Describing theater as collaborative “handmade” work, McSweeny made an eloquent argument for devoting oneself to art, despite the sacrifices it may entail.

The audience was also treated to a rendition of the Doo Wop classic, “Come and Go with Me," sung by performing arts faculty members Scott Wood, Mark Bishop, Charles Bowers, and Ben Hutto.

The NCS and STA communities extend their thanks to event co-chairs Lydia Benson (mother of Fia Benson ’14 and Lida Benson ’10) and Elizabeth Boe (mother of Matt Boe STA ‘14) for a wonderful evening!