AUBURN — The cast and crew involved in Auburn Middle School Drama’s 2010 production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” recently won the 2010 Youth Theater Division of the Moss Hart Memorial Award for Excellence in Theater from the New England Theater Conference.

Last spring, the group applied for the Moss Hart Award and was visited by Jeffery Watts, University of Maine at Farmington professor and president of the New England Theater Conference, during their final performance of the spring show.

As a judge, he asked to speak candidly with the students after the show. He shared with them his surprise at seeing such a polished and inspired performance by middle school students. He had both kudos and constructive criticism for each member of the cast and crew.

In the fall, Watts chose to advocate for the group in the Moss Hart Award selection process. Hundreds of theater companies all over New England are reviewed for the award each year, and the group was selected as this year’s youth division recipients.

Liz Rollins, Auburn Middle School director of music and theater, will travel to the annual New England Theater Conference banquet in November to accept the award on behalf of the students.

Students involved in the production included: Hayley Barton, Matt Berube, Dylan Blanchard, Maddy Butts, Patrick Buzza, Carrie Close, Joe Cooper, Patrick Cowen, Connor Crawford, Megan Crowell, Delia Demers, Ryan Deveau, Miranda Dostie, Jen Dubois, Katie Duvall, Issy Earle, Brittany Eastman, Allie Flowers, Noah Fourner, Danielle Gagne, Liza Gaylord, Addy Goodwin, Max Goodwin, Jonathan Guy, Kellie Hackett, Erika Hazelton.

Also, Veronica Herandez, Zach Hurd, Ben L’Hommedieu, Tyler Lafean, Jacob Lamson, Julia Langevin, Ally Laverdiere, Olivia Mayo, Tori Rousseau, Emma Samson, Bretteny Sanders, Emily Schario, Matt Taylor, Misha Wagner, Paige Weber and Liam Webster.