May 21, 2018
By KEITH RYAN CARTWRIGHT
Rutherford County Schools
Sevon Askew admitted he was “a little shocked” to hear his name called.
A junior at Central Magnet School, Askew had been one of three Best Actor nominees at the recent Spotlight Awards in Nashville.
Askew and his cast mates performed “The Fantasticks” earlier this year.
In addition to his Best Actor win, Askew and Elisha McFarlin were named to the All-Star Cast, while Sandra Mansour and Karis Knierim were named to the All-Star Crew. All are students at Central.
In addition to Central, Siegel High School was also recognized for its performance of “Hairspray.”
Lelan Wilhoite was named Best Male Dancer, Diamond Goins was Best Female Soloist, and Anna Cooper and Seth Finch were named to the All-Star Cast, while Corbynn Byers and LC Marlatt were named to the All-Star Tech Crew.
“Mostly I was just grateful,” said Askew, who deflected the attention by adding, “I’m thankful to be part of the (theater) community — love what we’re doing and that’s why we do it.”
A true testament to character is the fact that Askew even impressed Brenda Gregory, who is the director of choir at Siegel High School.
“He’s an incredible talent,” Gregory said, “and a great young man too — very nice and very humble.”
The Spotlight Light Awards were held May 12 at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.
The annual awards are presented in partnership with Lipscomb University’s College of Entertainment and the Arts to encourage young theater artists in Middle Tennessee, according to a release from TPAC.
Through the program, the release also explained, high school musicals are evaluated by a diverse panel of adjudicators. In May, the program culminates with workshops taught by industry professionals on the Lipscomb campus. That evening, exemplary work is recognized with The Spotlight Awards ceremony, where the Top 10 contenders for Best Show perform and honors are presented in a variety of categories, including Best Actor and Best Actress.
Best Actor and Best Actress winners then move on to national consideration for The Jimmy Awards in New York.
“This will open so many doors and he plans to pursue a career in musical theater,” said Tara Winton, Askew’s theater and drama teacher at Central. “His voice is a strong suit. He has a huge, powerful voice. It’s beautiful. … He’s also incredibly thoughtful on stage and makes really good choices as an actor.”
Askew will now make a weeklong trip to New York City, where he will perform on Broadway as part of the nationally acclaimed Jimmy Awards.
He leaves June 18 and will take part in rehearsals, workshops and prep for the June 25 awards show in which all 80 of the Best Actors and Best Actresses will perform the opening and closing numbers.
During the week, four national finalists will be chosen for Best Actor and Best Actress.
Each of them will also perform solo numbers.
“I’m trying not to have too many expectations,” Askew said, “so I can be in the moment.”
Askew said he used to think of himself as a singer who acted, but the junior has worked hard to develop both skills.
Like Askew, Goins has worked hard to develop her acting skills.
“I’ve really grown,” said Goins, a Washington, D.C., native, who moved to Murfreesboro two years ago. “Singing out in front of people wasn’t really my thing. I kind of wanted to be in the background.”
She added, “Doing this for the past two years improved me as a person and showed me I can actually do it and Mrs. Gregory is really one of the reasons why.”
This is the second year the Spotlight Awards have been officially tied to the Jimmy Awards.
“Because of that everybody is coming out of the woodwork and wanting to enter this,” said Gregory, who observed many new schools she had not seen participate in past years. “It’s great opportunity for the kids to celebrate other people’s performances too. … You know they’re awesome, but it’s really gratifying to know they are recognized outside of the realm of Siegel High School.”
Winton agreed with Gregory.
Talking one last time about Askew, Winton said, “He’s developed over the years and he has grown and matured as a person.
“I am extremely excited for him and I think this is going to be an enormous opportunity for him, and I’m excited to see what kind of doors this opens for his future.”
PHOTOS PROVIDED