National High School Musical Theatre Awards

<p>My son was one of the 3 finalists this year and the NYU scholarship information is very ambiguous. No one there seems to know how much it is. The very first male winner attended NYU. I don’t know him so I don’t know what he got. The female winner this year did not get into any school (she wanted to attend?) and I understand she will audition for NYU after taking a gap year this year. She is also using a coach to reapply for other schools. This scholarship can only be used if you are a junior or audition after your senior year. It is unclear if you receive more money than any other applicant. I’m assuming you must get some money for winning this, but you already got $10,000. It is certainly not a full scholarship if you don’t have need.</p>

<p>theatremomma Awesome!! Congrats to your son! I watched the solos on youtube they were all fantastic! I spoke with both of our local nominees they had a remarkable time at the NHSMTAs.</p>

<p>I suppose it makes more sense then if you have to be a junior re: the scholarship but wow to think she didn’t get into any of the schools she wanted to attend really puts how competative it is in prospective. I thought she was fantastic.</p>

<p>Proof that no one can predict who will or won’t get into any school and that while competitions are fun, they don’t really mean anything in the real world.</p>

<p>Very true, theatremomma. It also shows the importance of having a good, varied, and appropriate list of schools on your list. My guess would be that this girl may not have had that. It would be interesting to know.</p>

<p>I have a few NY actor friends who are involved with this competition every year and they love every minute of it! I’m sure the kids enjoyed working with and meeting them. :)</p>

<p>Wanted to bump this up, I noticed last year’s female winner is in the 2018 U of Michigan class. Looks like the gap year paid off for her!</p>

<p>My S was nominated again for a Gene Kelly award…which is great because I was starting to feel normal again and not anxious about anything so happy to have something to stress over for a few weeks lol</p>

<p>Congratulations! She is local to us and the gap year was hard for her but paid off! My son went last year and was one of the 3 boy finalists! He is a freshman at Texas State. Fingers crossed for you! Feel free to ask any questions about the Jimmy’s. What great experience for these kids!</p>

<p>I watched the finalist last year they were all great! I can’t believe I recognized her, I think because I was so shocked she didn’t get into a program (or at least not any she wanted) when I saw her face I was excited for her. Thanks! If we get that far I’m sure I’ll have questions…I like way more details than my S usually provides. It really is a great experience…now don’t anyone ruin this for me and talk about politics start another thread and let me be happy LOL</p>

<p>HAHA. Yes, be happy! These programs have their politics and we saw it, too. My son was also nominated junior year and did not win so we were much less optimistic the second time. We wanted it for him so it is hard to not pray for a win. Hoping you get to share that magical experience with him! </p>

<p>My D just auditioned for the regional competition here in Sacramento. They have four regionals that feed into one final competition, then from that final they will send two students. We should hear by Friday if she advances to the finals. It is a new competition this year in Northern California, so not a ton of entries.</p>

<p>Obviously should be wearing my glasses. Sorry for the typos.</p>

<p>My son’s friend/classmate is nominated for an Ovation Award here in MI… but they aren’t holding the event until next weekend. Exciting times!</p>

<p>BAL to all!!! Keep us posted!</p>

<p>We have the Tommy Tune awards here in the Houston area. The best actor and actress going on to participate in the Jimmy’s 45 local schools participate. My D’s high school was nominated for best musical two out of her 4 years in HS. Her senior year she was nominated for best supporting actress and she got to perform with Tommy Tune.<br>
The Tommy Tune awards is a fun night for all and the kids really enjoy it. </p>

<p>Break a leg!!! </p>

<p>@Divamamacita and MTmom2015 - do those awards feed into the Jimmy’s in NYC too?</p>

<p>It is a lot of fun for them. Our school was nominated for best musical last year and about 80 of our kids performed a number at one of our beautiful local theaters, The Benedum Center. Even the “non MT” kids were thrilled, one said “I’ll be able to tell my kids I performed on that stage one day”. It means a lot to all of them, even if they have no plans to perform in the future. Its a great way to extend their high school musical time. Our awards aren’t until 5/24.</p>

<p>BAL everyone!!</p>

<p>Yes, they do. I think this is only the 3rd year for the Ovations. Maybe 4th. Our female winner from last year will be in UofM’s freshman class next year. It is a growing program… they can max at 25 males/25 females, but I’m pretty sure they didn’t hit those numbers last year. From the photo, it looks like 12/14? It is held at Michigan State University. You’d think there would be something similar in the Detroit area, but there isn’t. Our HS drama teacher didn’t know anything about it until I brought it to her attention for this year (and my kid isn’t even eligible… not a leading role). I don’t think whole productions are considered at this point, just individual performances. </p>

<p>There is a new education director at MSU’s Wharton Center… Kris Koop (bway Phantom), who is so enthusiastic. She is also teaching as am adjunct professor in the theatre department and is working to develop a MT major program there. They had it years ago, but do not currently. I think there will be a MT minor in place for next fall’s incoming class. The Wharton Center’s education programming includes the Take it From the Top MT summer workshop (founded by Laura Bell Bundy & Paul Cannan) and a Shakespeare Intensive in conjunction with the Stratford Shakespeare Festival (Ontario). Both programs are EXCELLENT! Hope the Ovation program grows and fourishes as well. </p>

<p>Awesome our Gene Kelly’s have been around for a while, I hope Ovations works out for that area. With kids like mine who really have nothing with the school other than the one musical per year (he never played sports) its so nice to have something like this to look forward to. Gene Kelly’s widow will be at the ceremony this year, Gene Kelly is S’s idol he’s very excited to meet her.</p>

<p>We have nothing like this for kids that don’t do their school shows, I wish we did!!</p>

<p>Yes. The San Jose competition feeds into the Jimmys. This is the first year of the competition, so they are still figuring things out I think. The finals are on May 19th. We should find out tomorrow if she advances from the regional to the final in San Jose.</p>

<p>Fingers crossed! Let us know!</p>