BILLY ELLIOT Dream Awards Finalists Announced

In partnership with the Cincinnati Arts Association's Overture Awards and Local 12 WKRC, and in celebration of the recent local engagement of Billy Elliot the Musical, Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Cincinnati is proud to announce the finalists for the Billy Elliot Dream Award:

· Jake Kolesar, 15, Mt. Lookout, OH (Walnut Hills High School)
· Lauren Pauley, 16, Mason, OH (Mason High School)
· Megan Urz, 17, Independence, KY (Calvary Christian School)

The award and scholarship will be presented to one of these three finalists in recognition of their pursuit of an artistic dream. The prize will consist of a $500 scholarship provided by Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Cincinnati's Education Fund.

To view the Billy Elliot Dream Award finalists' essays and performance video's, visit www.CincinnatiArts.ORG/dream .

Billy Elliot the Musical tells the inspirational story of a boy who stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, and how his family and his community come together to support his dream of auditioning for London's Royal Ballet. The Dream Award was created in celebration of the show's visit to Cincinnati and in partnership with Local 12 WKRC and the Cincinnati Arts Association's annual Overture Awards, the region's largest solo arts competition for high school students. Billy Elliot the Musical recently played the Aronoff Center from January 17 – 29.

Applications for the Billy Elliot Dream Award were accepted from any student in grades 6 through 12 pursuing a dream as an artist in dance, visual art, performance art, creative writing, acting, singing, or music. Interested applicants submitted an essay or video describing his or her artistic dream, the challenges and obstacles they may have faced along the way, and how they have (or hope to) overcome these challenges. In addition, a performance video of under two-minutes was required exhibiting the talent of the entrant.

Applications were judged by a panel of arts professionals including Dee Anne Bryll (actor, director, choreographer, and theater instructor), Steve Finn (Director of Education and Community Relations, Cincinnati Arts Association), and Robert Lomax (classical / gospel vocalist). Three finalists were chosen on Thursday, January 26 and each was invited along with a guest to the final performance of Billy Elliot the Musical on Sunday, January 29 at 6:30pm. In addition, the three finalists and their guests will be invited to the Overture Awards Ceremony on Saturday, March 3 at 1:00pm at the Aronoff Center, where the winner will be announced and awarded their prize. The winner will receive a $500 scholarship provided by Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Cincinnati's Education Fund.

Billy Elliot the Musical played the Aronoff Center from January 17 – 29 as part of the Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Cincinnati 11/12 Season. Based on the international smash-hit film and featuring music from Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical has earned critical acclaim on Broadway including 10 Tony Awards. The musical has also earned 81 national and international awards including ten Tony Awards, Best Musical by the New York Drama Critics Circle, Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle.

The Cincinnati Arts Association's Overture Awards is the largest scholarship competition for high school students in the country. Last year more than 500 students from a thirteen county region of the Tri-state competed for $24,000 in scholarships in six artistic disciplines- Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Dance, Drama, Creative Writing and Visual Art. The Overture Awards have achieved such a strong reputation with college admission officers that success in the competition is considered a noteworthy accomplishment. For more information about The Overture Awards, visit www.cincinnatiarts.org/overture_competition.

Additional information about Billy Elliot the Musical is available at www.BillyElliotTour.com.

NETworks Presentations, LLC (Producer) Since 1995, NETworks has produced and managed over 45 touring productions in the US., U.K. and internationally . Current Productions include Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Young Frankenstein, Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific, Blue Man Group National Tour, La Cage, Shrek The Musical and The New 25th Anniversary Production of Les Misérables. Future productions include Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins, Flashdance the Musical and National Theatre of Great Britain's production of War Horse touring the U.S.

BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA (Presenter), part of the Key Brand Entertainment family of companies which includes Broadway.com, is owned and operated by British theatre producer John Gore (CEO) and entertainment industry veteran Thomas B. McGrath (Chairman). Broadway Across America presents first-class touring musicals and plays across 40 North American cities. Broadway.com is the premier theater website for new, exclusive content and ticket sales. Under the supervision of Beth Williams (COO and Head of Production), Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse theatre. Current Broadway productions include How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying starring Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette, Million Dollar Quartet, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Jerusalem, Memphis, La Cage Aux Folles, the West End production of Million Dollar Quartet and the touring production of Dreamworks' Madagascar Live! For more information, please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com 

Founded in 1992, the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is a not-for-profit organization that oversees the programming and management of two of the Tri-state's finest performing arts venues – the Aronoff Center for the Arts and Music Hall – and is dedicated to supporting performing and visual arts. Each year, CAA presents a diverse schedule of events; serves upwards of 700,000 people in its venues; features the work of talented local, regional, and national artists in the Weston Art Gallery (located in the Aronoff Center); and supports the work of more than one dozen resident companies. Since the inception of its acclaimed arts education programs in 1995, CAA has reached nearly one million students.

LOCAL12 serves viewers in SW Ohio, Northern Kentucky and SE Indiana. The station was licensed by the FCC in April 1949, and has built its reputation based upon its 50 year commitment to providing area viewers with the most up-to-date news, information, weather reports, and entertainment.

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