Broadway In Chicago Announces Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards

Broadway In Chicago is delighted to invite high schools across the State of Illinois to participate in the Eighth Annual Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards sponsored by NBC 5. Broadway In Chicago's Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards (IHSMTA) celebrate excellence in high school theatre throughout the State of Illinois.

Beginning Thursday, September 6, high school educators may fill out a School Application form. Application details can be found at www.BroadwayInChicago.com/IHSMTA. Broadway In Chicago encourages all Illinois Public and Private High Schools to apply, however School Applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis and only the first 70 schools to apply will be accepted. The deadline to submit School Applications for the 2019 Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards is Wednesday, September 12, 2018.

Eligible schools must adhere to the following: the High School must be located in the State of Illinois; musical productions must take place between September 30, 2018 and April 15, 2019 to be considered, a musical production qualifies if it is a full-length musical listed on The Jimmy Awards (National High School Musical Theatre Awards) Qualifying Show List.

The categories include Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Production presented by Guardian Music Travel, Best Direction, Best Scenic Design presented by SPL and two new categories this year: Best Choreography and Best Ensemble. Twenty-four nominees (12 actors and 12 actresses) will receive tickets to a Broadway In Chicago show, perform on stage at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place (175 E. Chestnut) and compete in front of Chicago casting agents and theater professionals.

From the twenty-four nominees, two Illinois award recipients (one Best Actor, one Best Actress) will go on an all-expense paid trip to New York City to represent the State of Illinois at The Jimmy Awards and participate in a week-long theatre intensive of coaching and rehearsals with industry professionals in preparation for a one-night-only showcase on Broadway, where a panel of judges crowns the nation's top performers. The Jimmy Awards are named for legendary Broadway theater owner and producer James M. Nederlander. Broadway In Chicago is a Nederlander presentation, and is excited to join the network of theatres across the country participating in The Jimmy Awards.

Important Dates

School Applications Available: Thursday, September 6, 2018

School Applications Due: Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards: May 6, 2019

The Jimmy Awards: Summer 2019 (exact date to be announced)

The 2018 Illinois High School Musical Theatre Award recipients were Darian Goulding of Hampshire High School in Hampshire, IL (Best Actor) for his portrayal of "The Beast" in BEAUTY & THE BEAST, Natalie Doppelt of Deerfield High School in Deerfield, IL (Best Actress) for her portrayal of "Sister Mary Robert" in SISTER ACT, York Community High School for their production of TUCK EVERLASTING (Best Production), Crystal Lake South High School for their production of PETER PAN (Best Scenic Design) and Rebecca Marianetti of York Community High School for their production of TUCK EVERLASTING (Best Direction).

ABOUT THE JIMMY AWARDS
The Jimmy Awards (The National High School Musical Theatre Awards) impacts more than 100,000 students who participate in high school musical theatre competitions sponsored by presenters of Touring Broadway productions throughout the United States. A Best Actress and Best Actor winner from each of these competitions is sent to New York for a week-long theatre intensive of coaching and rehearsals with industry professionals in preparation for a one-night-only showcase on Broadway, where a panel of judges crowns the nation's top performers. Named for Broadway impresario James M. Nederlander, the program has been the catalyst for more than $2,000,000 in educational scholarships.

In 2012, the program inspired preeminent broadcaster WGBH Boston to produce a 3-part documentary series called "Broadway or Bust," which follows students on a journey from their hometown competitions to their debut on Broadway. The series remains popular viewing at www.pbs.org. For more information, please visit www.JimmyAwards.com.

To post a comment, you must register and login.