The application deadline for the 2012 IHSMTAs is now passed. Please check back this
September for information about the 2013 Illinois High School Musical Theater Awards.
Broadway In Chicago is presenting The Illinois High School Musical Theater Awards to enable Illinois schools to participate in the National High School Musical Theater Awards, a national celebration of outstanding student achievement in high school musical theater.
Categories:
- Best Performance by an Actor
- Best Performance by an Actress
Eligibility Requirements:
- Nominees must be enrolled in grades 9-12 in an Illinois public or private high school, have performed in a full-length high school affiliated musical theater production during the 2011-2012 academic year, and must be a resident of the state of Illinois.
- To compete in the Best Performance by an Actor or Best Performance by an Actress categories, a nominee must have played the lead role in a full-length high school musical theater production. A supporting role does not qualify. A comprehensive list of eligible roles can be found here.
- Nominees must agree to the possible videotaping, televised opportunities, photos, press interviews, and print advertising in conjunction with the Broadway In Chicago Illinois High School Musical Theater Awards.
- Nominees must be willing and available to participate in both the Broadway In Chicago Illinois High School Musical Theater Awards on Monday, May 7, 2012, and the NHSMTA program from June 20-26, 2012 in New York City.
Rules:
- The application must be completed in full and received no later than Friday, March 30, 2012 at 5:00pm by Broadway In Chicago, attn: IHSMTA, 17 N. State Street, Suite 810, Chicago, IL 60602.
- Schools may nominate one student for Best Performance by an Actor and/or one student for Best Performance by an Actress for the lead role performed in the high school production. Each student nominated must submit a complete application.
- Only one lead male and one lead female submission will be accepted per nominating school program.
The completed application must include:
- The application form (available to download here).
- A recent headshot (300 dpi or higher) and resume of nominated student.
- A program from the school production.
- A letter of recommendation from a principal, teacher or director of the school production.
- A video recording of the student’s performance in his/her high school musical production.
- The video recording must include the student performing one ballad and one up-tempo number from the production. This must be submitted on a DVD highlight reel.
- In the event the production has not yet occurred by the application deadline, a student may submit video (on DVD) singing one ballad and one up-tempo number from the show for which they are nominated. A DVD of the actual production must be provided prior to the May 7 event. Such materials must be accompanied by proof the student applicant has been cast in an eligible role.
- At least three (3) color photos of the student’s performance in her/his high school musical production.
- In the event the production has not yet occurred by the application deadline, a student may submit at least three (3) production photos from a similar performance by the high school having occurred in the last 12 months. Actual production photos must be provided prior to the May 7 event. Such materials must be accompanied by proof the student applicant has been cast in an eligible role.
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 2012 AT 5:00PM.
ALL MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THIS TIME.
LATE AND/OR INCOMPLETE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Nominees’ applications will be reviewed by a panel of qualified judges selected by Broadway In Chicago. Twenty-four finalists will be notified by Monday, April 23, 2012. The finalists will be invited to perform at the Final Awards Program on May 7, 2012. The judges’ decision is final.
IHSMTA Judging Guidelines: The finalists will be evaluated through an audition process that includes one live performance of a solo (one up-tempo or one ballad, if applicable) from the lead role he/she played in the musical for which they have been nominated. No substitutions will be considered eligible. Finalists must provide their own clearly-marked sheet music. Sheet music should be in a 3-ring binder in page protectors. There will be an accompanist. All finalists must perform with live accompaniment – no tapes or recordings will be allowed. Singing a cappella is also not allowed. Two students (one actor and one actress) will be selected as the winners.
If selected as a Broadway In Chicago Illinois High School Musical Theater Award winner:
• The student must be available and willing to participate in the National High School Musical Theater Awards held in New York City beginning Wednesday, June 20 through Tuesday, June 26, 2012.
• The two winners (one male, one female) will travel on an all-expense paid trip with a Broadway In Chicago chaperone. Air transportation, meals, and housing in New York will be provided for the week of the program.
• The National High School Musical Theater Awards includes one-on-one coaching, auditions and rehearsal for the Jimmy Awards presentation. Finalists are selected by a panel of judges made up of Broadway professionals.
• Additional release forms for the trip and for the NHSMTA program must be signed by the student and a parent/guardian.
To download a PDF of the Rules and Regulations, click here.