Two veterans of the Wantagh High School stage were recognized for their theatrical prowess, as seniors Ashlee Fucarino and Lorenzo Hilliard were selected to perform in the preliminary rounds of the Roger Rees Outstanding Performer competition. They took part in auditions and workshops from May 2-4 at LIU. 

Ashlee and Lorenzo were named nominees following their stellar performances in Wantagh High School’s spring musical, “Monty Python’s Spamalot.” Roger Rees adjudicators attended several of the performances, and the two seniors were named to the Outstanding Performing competition based on their high scores. Ashlee played the Lady of the Lake and Lorenzo was Sir Lancelot.

The duo performed in all eight shows during their time in Wantagh High School, which included fall drama productions and spring musicals, as well as all three middle school shows. They both attend Nassau BOCES Long Island High School for the Arts, where Ashlee has been in four shows and Lorenzo in three. Additionally, they are involved with the Cultural Arts Playhouse and Lorenzo acts with the CM Performing Arts Center.

Ashlee’s favorite roles were Lucy in Wantagh’s 2024 production of “Jekyll and Hyde” and Hope in the LISHA’s “Urinetown.” Lorenzo’s top roles were Don in the Cultural Arts Playhouse show “A Chorus Line” and Shark in CM’s “West Side Story.”

The two students are no strangers to the Roger Rees Awards. Lorenzo was a finalist for the student reporter award in 2024 and Ashlee was the female winner in the Outstanding Performer in a Musical category, which allowed her to attend the national Jimmy Awards and meet Broadway professionals. 

“I’m grateful to have gone once,” she said of the Jimmy awards, “but I would love nothing more than the opportunity to go again.”

For the preliminary rounds of the Roger Rees Outstanding Performer competition, Ashlee and Lorenzo each had to perform a two- to two-and-a-half-minute selection of a song from “Spamalot” in front of judges. 

Next year, Ashlee plans to major in musical theater and is still in the process of selecting a college. She hopes to be performing on stage for the rest of her life. Lorenzo will be studying musical theater at Montclair State University and also wants to pursue a career in acting. 

“I just love performing and love being in the arts,” Lorenzo said.

 They are both involved in the arts beyond theater. Ashlee is the president of the chorus, a member of the A-cappella choir and plays trumpet in the jazz band. Lorenzo is secretary of the chorus, plays baritone saxophone in the jazz band and sings and plays the piano with a band outside of school, the Can’t Helps. 

Ashlee and Lorenzo both cite theater teacher and director Dr. Kimberly Davis, chorus teacher Sameerah Cassidy and LISHA teacher Chris Brick for guiding them on their paths to theatrical and musical success. They also expressed their gratitude for Wantagh’s commitment to the arts as well as the district’s partnership with the Roger Rees Awards to further their talents and create connections in the industry. 

“We’re very excited to have this opportunity,” Ashlee said. “We’re grateful that our district strongly supports the arts.”

Dr. Davis expressed her appreciation for the devotion they have shown to the theater program over the past several years. She can vividly remember their first performances as sixth graders – Lorenzo as Papa Bear and Ashlee as one of the Three Little Pigs – and has been proud to watch their transformation into dedicated, talented young artists.

“Lorenzo and Ashlee have been tremendous assets to the Wantagh theatre program since their earliest days in middle school,” she said. “Not only have they embraced every opportunity available to them here, but they have also sought out additional experiences to further their growth on their own. Their passion, work ethic and drive to succeed in this demanding field make them truly deserving of this recognition.”