Broadway In Chicago Opens Applications for 2018 Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards

Broadway In Chicago is delighted to invite high schools across the State of Illinois to participate in the Seventh Annual Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards. The Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards celebrate excellence in high school theatre throughout the State of Illinois.

Beginning Friday, September 8 at 10AM, 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 75 schools to apply will be accepted. The deadline to submit School Applications for the 2018 Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards is Friday, September 15, 2017.

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, 2017 and April 30, 2018; to be adjudicated, a musical production qualifies if it is a full-length musical listed on the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (The Jimmy Awards) Qualifying Show List.

The categories include Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Production presented by Guardian Music Travel, Best Direction of a Musical and Best Scenic Design of a Musical presented by Grosh Backdrops & Drapery. 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: Friday, September 8, 2017 at 10AM

School Applications Due: Friday, September 15, 2017 at 10AM

IHSMTA Program: June 2018 (exact date to be announced)

The Jimmy Awards: Summer 2018 (exact date to be announced)

The 2017 Illinois High School Musical Theatre Award recipients were Justin Smusz of Benet Academy in Bolingbrook, IL (Best Actor), Carly Meyer of Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook, IL (Best Actress), York Community High School for their production of WEST SIDE STORY (Best Production), Cary-Grove High School for their production of EVITA (Best Scenic Design) and Lauren Condon and Brian Wand of Benet Academy for their production of ALL SHOOK UP (Best Direction).

The Jimmy Awards/The National High School Musical Theatre Awards (NHSMTA) impacts more than 50,000 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 $1,000,000 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.

Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 17 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining well up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago's Loop including The PrivateBank Theatre, Oriental Theatre, Cadillac Palace Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

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