By ED COURRIER

Special to The Press

Student thespians from area high schools gathered May 23 on Easton’s State Theatre stage for the 2024 Freddy Awards.

Cast members from Northwestern Lehigh’s “Mamma Mia!” joined others in performing the annual event’s opening and closing numbers.

Two of their members had received Freddy nominations.

Megan Holman was up for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance as Tanya Cresham-Leigh.

Tessa DeJesus was nominated for the Vic Kumma Award for Outstanding Solo Vocal Performance as Donna Sheridan for the song “The Winner Takes It All.”

Between musical numbers and award presentations, State Theatre President and CEO Shelley Brown interviewed graduating seniors DeJesus and John Meltsch, who played Sam Carmichael, about Northwestern’s spring musical being the first of the season.

“Mamma Mia!” ran Feb. 29 through March 3.

DeJesus was asked by Brown about her post graduation plans.

“I will be attending Northwestern University,” she said. “I’m majoring in theater and I will be auditioning for their musical theater certificate program in the fall.”

Meltsch was asked the same question.

“I’m going to be attending Belmont University down in Nashville, Tenn.,” he replied.

“I will be majoring in music business.”

Brown quipped that Meltsch be DeJesus’ agent when they both graduate from college.

Unfortunately, Bill Mutimer, drama director for Northwestern Lehigh middle and high schools, died suddenly on March 6.

The 60-year-old was the founder and producing artistic director of Northampton Community College’s Summer Theatre.

The Northampton Community College Scholarship in Memory of Bill Mutimer was recently created in the professor’s honor.

The award provides a $1,000 scholarship that is renewable for a second year.