Awards Showcase

OUTSTANDING MUSICAL THEATER PRODUCTION

Up to 10 high school musical theater productions and up to 2 middle school musical theater productions will be recognized in this award category. Winners will be determined by a formal adjudication process. High schools receiving awards for Outstanding Musical Theater Production will be invited to perform up to a 5-minute number from their award-winning musical at the Showcase.

Schools will need to submit the piano/vocal scores of their top 3 song choices to potentially perform at the Showcase.

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE

Up to 10 high school musical theater ensembles and up to 2 middle school musical theater ensembles will be recognized as winners in this award category. Winners will be determined by a formal adjudication process.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A LEAD ROLE

Up to 20 high school students (10 actors and 10 actresses) will be recognized as winners in this award category. Winners will be determined by a formal adjudication process. Student winners in this category are invited to perform in a special musical number at the showcase. 

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Up to 20 high school students (10 actors and 10 actresses) will be recognized as winners in this award category. Winners will be determined by a formal adjudication process.

BACKSTAGE EXCELLENCE AWARD

The Backstage Excellence Award honors one group of students for demonstrating teamwork, professionalism and a commitment to excellence behind-the-scenes. Student run crews, costume crews, set construction crews, stagehands or any group of students in grades 7-12 who have dedicated time in a backstage capacity are eligible. Teachers are responsible for nominating students for the Backstage Excellence Award. 

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OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN STAGE MANAGEMENT

The award for Outstanding Achievement in Stage Management honors students who demonstrate professionalism, leadership and commitment to excellence in stage management. Student stage managers or assistant stage managers in grades 7-12 are eligible to apply.

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OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DESIGN

The award for Outstanding Achievement in Design honors students in grades 7-12 who demonstrate artistry, skill and a commitment to excellence in costume, hair/makeup, props, scenic, sound or lighting design. Winners will be determined through an application process. Students in grades 7-12 may submit multiple applications in different design categories (e.g. one application for a costume design and another application for a scenic design). Each application should focus on one design project or concept.

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OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR AWARD

The Outstanding Educator Award honors teachers for their outstanding achievements in performing arts education. The awards will recognize middle school and high school educators who embody the highest standards in performing arts education and demonstrate a positive impact on the lives of students. Current or past students, fellow educators, school administrators, parents, or community members may nominate teachers for this award. 

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SENIOR OF THE YEAR

The senior of the Year Award honors one senior for their outstanding achievements in performing arts throughout high school.  The award will recognize a student who embodies the highest standards of leadership within their school and demonstrates a positive impact on the lives of their fellow peers and teachers.  Educators, fellow students, school administrators, parents or community members may nominate students for this award. 

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JIMMY AWARDS NATIONAL FINALISTS AND NOMINEES

Each year, the Nebraska High School Theater Academy nominates 2 high school students (1 actor and 1 actress) to compete with other top musical theatre students from across the nation at the 2024 National High School Musical Theatre Awards in NYC. Students are selected through an online application and audition process. The 2 national nominees will be announced live onstage at the showcase. 

Click here for more information.

JIMMY AWARDS STUDENT REPORTER

This award honors top high school student journalists. Winners will be selected through a video application process - more information below. 

Winners will be expected to shadow performers as they cover the NHSTA Showcase rehearsal week on social media and have the chance to receive national recognition at the Jimmy Awards in NYC.

Each year, the Jimmy Awards invites select Student Reporters from participating Regional Awards Programs to cover Jimmy Awards events through social media on both the official Jimmy Awards channels and the student’s personal channels. Student Reporters work directly with the Jimmy Awards Digital team which allows them to receive an insider look at the digital marketing strategy of Jimmy Awards coverage while gaining insight into the field as a whole. 

HOW TO APPLY: Create a 60-second video showing or describing how you would uniquely cover the Jimmy Awards on social media, as well as promoting tuning into a live stream performance or attending in-person. The video should be minimally edited and should include at least one unedited segment of at least 20-seconds in length with the applicant speaking directly to the camera. The videos must not include any performance footage.

We want to see your personality shine in this video! Think of it as hosting a version of "MTV Cribs" or an audition video to be on a non-performance reality show. 

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Want an example of a great application video? Check out award-winning student reporter, Hannah Kate-Kinney’s video here!

NHSTA SPIRIT AWARD

Each year 1 student from the Showcase Ensemble will receive this special award for demonstrating professionalism, teamwork and going above and beyond during the NHSTA Showcase rehearsal process.