Pittsburgh CLO Announces New Initiatives for Gene Kelly Awards Program

Pittsburgh CLO has announced two new initiatives of the Gene Kelly Awards program.

In an effort to provide more students professional development and scholarship opportunities, high schools located in an Allegheny County school district may choose to participate in the Gene Kelly Awards as a group or enter an individual student to compete in the Best Actor and Best Actress category as a solo competitor.

Last year, the Gene Kelly Awards extended its reach to include individual students that participate in the Henry Mancini Awards which include Beaver, Butler and Lawrence Counties.

In order for an individual student to be eligible for the Best Actor or Best Actress category for the Gene Kelly Awards, the student must be in grades 9-12 and perform a qualifying lead role in their 2018 spring high school musical (February 1 - May 1, 2018).

Upon winning the Gene Kelly Award for Best Actor or Actress, each winner will be awarded a $5,000 cash scholarship generously provided by Point Park University to be applied to any college of their choice and will travel to New York City to participate in the Jimmy Awards on Broadway.

All participating students in the Gene Kelly Awards are eligible to apply for the Gene Kelly Scholarship program, which includes over $100,000 in scholarship opportunities.

To apply and/ or receive more information on the participation requirement for the Gene Kelly Awards, visit pittsburghCLO.org, email gkawards@pittsburghclo.org, or call 412-281-2234.

The deadline to participate in the 2018 Gene Kelly Awards is November 17, 2017.

In addition, Pittsburgh CLO is proud to announce the inaugural Gismondi Fund Grant. The Gismondi Fund was established by the Gismondi Family Foundation to assist schools that face budget restrictions which might hinder their continued participation in the Gene Kelly Awards; the caliber of their musical production; or the quality of their students' experience. Schools who declared their Intent to Participate by October 31 were eligible to apply for a grant (up to $5,000).

An independent panel, along with a representative of the Gismondi Family, will determine the amounts awarded to the selected schools. The winners will be announced by the end of November.

For more information on the Gene Kelly Awards, visit pittsburghCLO.org.

Since 1946, Pittsburgh CLO has been the driving force behind live musical theater in Pittsburgh and the entire Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Under the direction of Van Kaplan since 1997, this not-for-profit arts organization appreciates the support of nearly 200,000 patrons yearly who attend its performances at three venues in the Cultural District: a seasonal subscription series at the Benedum Center, A Musical Christmas Carol at the Byham Theater and year-round shows at the CLO Cabaret. Its dedication to the musical theater art form includes educational programs such as the CLO Academy for Performance and Art, the CLO Mini Stars, the Gene Kelly Awards, the Richard Rodgers Award and The National High School Theatre Awards. As part of its new works development, the organization has been involved with 22 Broadway shows (30 Tony Awards), and in 2014 produced the world premiere of An American in Paris, on Broadway (4 Tony Awards) and in London's West End. For more information, visit pittsburghCLO.org.

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