What is the National High School Musical Theatre Awards?

Student performers all across the U.S. compete in the national program by winning top honors at regional high school musical theatre awards competitions presented by Broadway League member performing arts centers just like DPAC.

  • Over 1,000 high schools and 50,000 students participate in these annual events. Since its inception in 2009, the NHSMTA has enabled over $1,000,000 in university and conservatory scholarships to be awarded to talented students at the national and local level—several of whom have already been cast in Broadway, Touring, and West End productions.
  • The National Awards program takes place at Nederlander's Minskoff Theatre, home theatre for Disney's The Lion King. In total, over 30 regional competitions send finalists to New York representing the best high school musical theater students nationwide that participate.
  • NHSMTA nominees prepare for their Broadway debut during a ten-day professional training intensive with NYU Tisch School of the Arts' New Studio on Broadway faculty members and other top theatre professionals.
  • Winners are selected by a panel of judges comprised of notable theatre professionals including Tony Award-winning producers and award-winning casting experts.
  • Founded in 2009 by Nederlander Alliances LLC, Pittsburgh CLO, and Broadway Education Alliance (BEA), NHSMTA's mission is to raise the profile of musical theatre in schools, recognize dedicated teachers, and inspire the next generation of performers and enthusiasts. Also known as The Jimmy™ Awards, in honor of legendary Broadway producer/theatre owner James M. Nederlander, the NHSMTA is supported by many leading theatre industry organizations. More information about the National High School Musical Theatre Awards can be found at JimmyAwards.com.