Orpheum Announces High School Musical Theater Awards Program

Beginning this fall, high school theatre programs within 35 miles of The Orpheum will submit applications to enter their school's musical in the competition. Anonymous adjudicators will attend musicals at each participating school and complete evaluations that rate different elements of each production. From these evaluations, four nominees will be chosen in several categories including Best Actor and Actress, Best Set Design, Best Chorus, Best Choreography, and of course, Best Overall Production.

On May 27, 2010, students and supporters from all participating schools will gather at The Orpheum for the awards ceremony. Presented in grand scale with black tie presenters and professionally choreographed song and dance numbers, The Orpheum's High School Musical Awards will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the hundreds of students involved.

The winners of the Best Actor and Best Actress awards at The Orpheum will advance to the National High School Musical Theatre Awards in New York City where they will compete will regional winners from other theatres across the country. The overall winners of that competition will be offered $10,000 to further their education, as well as eligibility for four-year merit and need-based scholarship assistance to attend the NYU Tisch School of the Arts Department of Drama, Undergraduate at New Studio on Broadway: Music Theatre and Acting, contingent upon acceptance into the program.

In introducing this new program, The Orpheum has three goals: To recognize and celebrate the work of aspiring young performers in the region, to elevate the quality of the performing arts in local high schools, and to perpetuate the community's support for the performing arts.

Alice Roberts, Vice President of Education and Community Programs said, "We believe recognizing local high school talent and allowing students to compete on a regional and national level will strengthen musical theatre programs and empower arts students in high schools in the Memphis region."
Orpheum President, Pat Halloran agrees, "Thousands of students and teachers in high schools throughout the region work tirelessly and creatively to produce excellent musical theatre. These students and their teachers, to my knowledge, have not been adequately recognized for their accomplishments. We are going to change that with this program."

Sponsored in part by Sedgewick CMS, The Orpheum's High School Musical Awards officially launched August 7, 2009. Students and teachers interested in participating can call (901) 529-4244 for information on how to enter their school.

The Orpheum Theatre
203 South Main Street
Memphis, TN 38103
www.orpheum-memphis.com

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