Breaking All Records – DSM High School Musical Theatre Awards

Posted on December 3rd, 2014

Dallas Summer Musicals High School Musical Theatre Awards Breaks All Records
Sixty-five schools are participating – more than double our first year’s total

 

(Dallas, TX – November 3, 2014) Michael A. Jenkins, President and Managing Director, Dallas Summer Musicals (DSM) is thrilled to announce record breaking news!

In its fourth year of the program, DSM’s High School Musical Theatre Awards (HSMTA) has 65 schools participating- that is more than double the first year’s total of 30 schools participating, representing 33 school districts across north Texas. Among the 65 are also 7 private schools. In addition, six schools have entered two musicals this year for a total of 71 productions to be evaluated. This represents a new all-time high of schools, teachers and students taking part in the program. DSM HSMTA remains the largest program of its kind in the state and one of the largest programs in the country. DSM HSMTA has been recognized by the National High School Musical Theater Awards as their official affiliate program for North Texas.

Since DSM’s First Annual High School Musical Theatre Awards in 2012, this has truly developed into a regional program, accepting schools as far away as Denton and Allen to the north, Waco to the south, Abilene to the west and Paris, Texas to the east.

Slated for Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at the Music Hall at Fair Park, the awards show is a red carpet affair and the public is invited to join in the excitement. Red carpet arrival begins at 5:30 p.m. The show begins at 7:00 p.m. with performances which include separate medleys of the Best Actor and Best Actress nominees, production numbers from Best Musical nominees and an opening number featuring all nominated performers accompanied by a live orchestra. The show is topped off with a finale of performers from each participating high school.

Based on Broadway’s Tony® Awards, the DSM High School Musical Theatre Awards are designed to recognize and reward excellence in the production of high school musical theatre. Several cash scholarships of at least $1,000 each are awarded. In 2014 DSM awarded $35,000 in scholarships, including several $5,000 scholarships, to outstanding students.

Michael said, “This program encourages participation in the musical arts throughout North Texas. It is important to encourage these talented students to follow their dreams and goals and to draw attention to the excellent work being done in education in musical theater in our area schools. This is a wonderful opportunity for everyone involved and a great show! We are grateful to founding sponsors Leah and Jerry Fullinwider for their support and vision, which literally brought this awards program to life.”

Jenkins praised the community’s support saying, “For our pre-eminent educational outreach program to have grown so significantly in such a short time is a tribute to DSM as a resource to our community and a wonderful testament to the tremendous contribution of the teachers, judges, committee members and volunteers. We encourage everyone to visit the schools and watch the shows first-hand.” A complete listing can be found on the website at dallassummermusicals.org/HSMAwards.shtm

A three judge panel of entertainment industry professionals and veteran educators will visit each school and judge the performers in 15 categories: Best Musical, Best Direction, Best Musical Direction, Best Choreography, Best Orchestra, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting, Best Ensemble, Best Crew, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Featured Performer.

Ballots will be submitted to the accounting firm of Grant-Thornton. Students from each participating school as well as finalists in categories of Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Musical will be invited to perform at the 4th Annual DSM High School Musical Theatre Awards Ceremony show at the Music Hall at Fair Park on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 when winners are announced. The public is invited to join in this exciting celebration.

Winners of the Best Performance by an Actor and Actress receive an all-expense paid trip for five days to New York City to represent their school in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (the Jimmy™ Awards) for the chance to win prizes and scholarships, which vary by year.

HSMTA media sponsors are The Dallas Morning News and WFAA Channel 8. Dallas Summer Musicals season sponsors are American Airlines, WFAA Channel 8, The Dallas Morning News and Texas Instruments.

For a listing of participating schools and their shows, details or any questions, visit the website at http://dallassummermusicals.org/HSMAwards.shtm or contact Tracy Jordan, the program manager at 214-413-3951 or tjordan@dallassummermusicals.org .

Facebook page is constantly updated at https://www.facebook.com/DSMHSMTA

National program website here: http://www.nhsmta.com/pages/frequently-asked-questions

About Dallas Summer Musicals: As a nonprofit organization, DSM relies on a variety of funding sources to bring the Best of Broadway to Dallas at affordable ticket prices, as well as to preserve the beautiful historic theater, educate young audiences and create important community programs. DSM’s Seats for Kids program provides a meaningful arts education experience to thousands of low income, at-risk and special needs children. DSM provides positive incentives for youth that are at risk for gang membership through the Stage Right program. In addition, the Dallas Summer Musicals Academy of Performing Arts offers professional theater arts training and scholarships to talented students in need. Ticket sales alone do not sustain these endeavors. Only support from committed businesses, foundations and individuals make these programs possible.

For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals, call 214-421-5678 or visit the website at www.dallassummermusicals.org

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