Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is The National High School Musical Theater Awards? ?
The National High School Musical Theater Awards (NHSMTA) is a national celebration of outstanding student achievement recognizing individual artistry in vocal, dance and acting performance. The program aims to create a pathway connecting promising young performers to the professional theater industry. The program is the year-end culmination of awards programs across the country presented by dozens of professional theater organizations. Finalists in New York were named Best Actress or Best Actor at a regional competition, representing approximately 1,000 schools. While in New York City, participants experience five days of private coaching, master classes and rehearsals with theater professionals. Their week’s journey concludes with a panel of industry experts selecting exceptional students for The Jimmy™ for Best Performance by an Actress and Actor. Students receive opportunities for merit scholarships, professional advancement and other prizes.

What year did NHSMTA start?
The National High School Musical Theater Awards was established in 2009. 2012 marks our fourth "class" of students.

Who founded NHSMTA?
Pittsburgh CLO and Nederlander Alliances, LLC founded NHSMTA.

Why Pittsburgh CLO and Nederlander Alliances LLC?
Pittsburgh CLO, founded in 1946, is one of the country’s leading non-for-profit producers of musical theater. The organization’s educational efforts include its Gene Kelly Awards, which, at 20 years old, is one of the oldest high school musical program in the country. The Gene Kelly Awards competition involves as many as 40 high schools and is the prototype for other programs like it in the US. At the Gene Kelly Awards, students win college scholarships and prize monies. Pittsburgh CLO wanted to use the “playbook” of its own successful regional competition to create a national program involving theater organizations across the country. Nederlander Alliances, LLC was looking for an educational program to honor the legacy of legendary theater owner producer James M. Nederlander. These two industry leaders united in a common mission to nurture future artists and audiences.

Who is the Jimmy™ Award named for?
The Jimmy™ is named for legendary Broadway theater owner and producer James M. Nederlander, or “Jimmy” as he is known on Broadway. Mr. Nederlander is the Chairman of the Nederlander Producing Company of America Inc., the owner/operator of a vast chain of theatres, including 9 Broadway houses, and a producer of distinguished entertainment for more than 70 years. Jimmy and his son, James L. Nederlander, also present Broadway shows in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, San Jose, Tucson, Durham and London. The Broadway League recently presented Jimmy with the Schoenfeld Vision for Arts Education Award for establishing The National High School Musical Theater Awards.

Has the NHSMTA been endorsed nationally?
NHSMTA has been recognized by The National Endowment for the Arts, The Broadway League, The Shubert Organization and other industry organizations and foundations committed to nurturing future artists and audiences.

Who are the major sponsors of NHSMTA?
The program’s 2011 major sponsors were NYU Tisch School of the Arts Department of Drama, Camp Broadway, The National Endowment for the Arts, Playbill® and SenovvA.  Click here for a list of 2011 donors.

Where is NHSMTA held?
The event takes place in New York City. Students are housed and attend classes and rehearsals on the campus of New York University. The 2012 Jimmy™ Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, June 25th at the the MInskoff Theatre at 200 W. 45th St. in Times Square.

Why is NHSMTA held in NYC?
Because “Broadway” is the heart of the theater industry in the United States, and due to the vast resources available there, New York became the logical host city.

How many high school musical competitions exist throughout the US?
There are more than 30 programs in the US.

How many high school musical competitions participate in NHSMTA?
Twenty-five programs participated in the 2011 NHSMTA, three more programs than in 2010

How do High School Awards programs qualify to participate in NHSMTA?
Participating Awards Programs are required to be a member of The Broadway League, the National Alliance of Musical Theater or the Theatre Communications Group. Each Participating Awards Program sponsors two student representatives to compete at at “The Nationals” in New York.

How many students are participating in NHSMTA?
Last year, 50 students (25 girls and 25 boys) participated in the program in New York. These students are the Best Actress and Best Actor winners of their 2010-2011 local competitions.

Approximately how many high schools are represented?
In 2011, we estimate that 1,000 high schools were represented by the 25 participating programs.

How did NYU become involved in NHSMTA?
NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts has one of the most prestigious theater programs in the country. The university shares the NHSMTA founders’ mission to nurture future artists who want to prepare for a life in the theater. Because the NHSMTA program is based in New York, NYU became an obvious choice as a partner.

What is NYU’s New Studio on Broadway: Music Theatre and Acting?
This newly created program is a professional theater-training studio offered to undergraduate students at NYU Tisch School of the Arts’ Department of Drama. New Studio work captures the present moment, drawing its energy from popular culture and the infinite possibilities of diverse global performance and art forms. Integrating rigorous training in acting, speech, singing, physical acting (movement), and dance and taking place in a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility, the New Studio’s four-year program reaches beyond a single methodology to offer young actors instruction in all the disciplines essential to the performer’s craft. It equally engages the American musical, the classical acting canon and new contemporary plays and musicals, preparing students for opportunities to perform in traditional Broadway musical productions as well as in emerging plays, music and performance forms. New Studio is deeply committed to developing each student’s distinctive voice and the skills necessary to sustain a career at play with global audiences on stage, in music theater, and in whatever forms and mediums lie beyond.

What prizes will be given out at the Jimmy™ Awards?
Prizes and scholarships will vary by year. The complete list of prizes has not been announced for 2012.
The spirit of NHSMTA is intended to be collaborative, rewarding and fun for all participants. All students work alongside industry professionals, are seen by casting agents, and meet and converse with Broadway actors.  Last year they also took a trip to see The Addams Family, followed by a talkback with the cast.

Will scholarships be given out this year?
Prizes and scholarships will vary by year. The complete list of prizes has not been announced for 2012.

What is the correct way to refer to NHSMTA?
The program is referred to as:
The National High School Musical Theater Awards. 
The awards ceremony is called the Jimmy™ Awards. 
The NHS Musical Theater Awards™ is the incorporated name of the program.

Who is the spokesperson for NHSMTA?
All press inquiries should be directed to press@nhsmta.com
All national press requests regarding the National High School Musical Theater Awards that arise during “event week” will be handled by:

The Hartman Group
145 West 45th Street
Suite 1100 New York, NY 10036
Phone – 212.398.1800
Other spokespeople:
For Pittsburgh CLO: Van Kaplan, vkaplan@pittsburghCLO.org
For Nederlander Alliances, LLC: Susan Lee, slee@nederlander.com 

Who do I contact if I’d like to make a donation to NHSMTA?
Wynne Fedele at 412-281-3973
Email: wfedele@nhsmta.com

Who do I call if I’d like to participate in 2012?
Melissa Caolo,
Email: mcaolo@nhsmta.com

What is the Web site address of NHSMTA?
www.nhsmta.com

What is the mailing address and contact information of NHSMTA?
NHSMTA c/o Camp Broadway
226 West 47th Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Phone: 212-575-2101
Email: mcaolo@nhsmta.com