Education and Community

Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards

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Congratulations to the nominees for the 2026 Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards!

View Nominees

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Supporting celebrating high school musical theatre midsouth orpheum memphis

Supporting and Celebrating High School Musical Theatre in the Mid-South

The Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards provides access to arts education, creates opportunities for self expression, encourages collaboration, enhances excellence, builds community, and instills a lifelong passion for the arts. As part of The National High School Musical Theatre Awards® (known as the Jimmy Awards®), this program connects with 58 regional competitions across the country.

Special Event | Orpheum Theatre

2026 Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards

May 21, 2026

Make them hear you! Join us as we celebrate the musical theatre stars of tomorrow with tributes to revolutions in American history.

Learn More

Tickets go on sale May 4, 2026

Help Support the Stars of Tomorrow

Donate

Participation in the Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards is free. Your gift helps sustain its accessibility and reach.

Make a Donation

Purchase an Ad

Purchase a congratulatory ad in the Marquee and leave a lasting memento that will be cherished for years to come. Read the ad guidelines below and submit to Becky Casperson at casperson@orpheum-memphis.com by May 4.

Read Guidelines

Become a Sponsor

For special sponsorship opportunities, contact Candace Dean at dean@orpheum-memphis.com.

Get Started

Important Dates for the 2025-2026 Orpheum High School Musical Awards Program

Dec. 5, 2025
Applications due for Spring shows.
Feb. 2, 2026
Inspiring Teacher & Student Tech/Creative Applications Open
Mar. 30, 2026
Applications due for non-adjudicated schools.
Applications due for Student Tech/Inspiring Teacher Awards.
Apr. 10, 2026
Student Tech Portfolios Due
Apr. 20, 2026
Nominations Announcement Day
May 4, 2026
Tickets On-Sale & Deadline for Marquee Ads
May 21, 2026
Awards Show

How It Works

Judges attend school performances throughout the academic year to evaluate and nominate students for various awards. Nominees are honored at the annual Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards celebration. The Outstanding Lead Actor and Outstanding Lead Actress award recipients are invited by The Broadway League Foundation to attend a week-long theatre intensive in New York City, culminating in a spectacular showcase on Broadway.

How to Participate

Schools must be within a 150-mile radius of The Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, TN in order to participate. Participation is free of charge, as we are committed to making our programs as accessible as possible. Schools can apply to participate as adjudicated or non-adjudicated. Shows must be performed between October 1, 2025 and April 5, 2026 of the current academic year to be eligible.

Produce and submit a musical that is eligible for adjudication and awards recognition and send up to two students to participate in the opening and closing numbers.

Intent to Apply: Any school wishing to submit a musical for adjudication should complete the Intent to Apply form BEFORE submitting an official application. The Intent to Apply form can be found here. If your school would like to participate but has missed the application deadline, please reach out to Lena Wallace Black for more information.
Deadline to Apply: Applications for Fall shows are due by Monday, October 6, 2025 and applications for Spring shows are due by Friday, December 5th, 2025.
Rules and Guidelines: Please click here for the official rules and guidelines for Adjudicated Schools which contains the link to apply. PLEASE THOROUGHLY READ THIS DOCUMENT BEFORE APPLYING.

Send up to two students to participate in the opening and closing numbers. Applications for non-adjudicated schools are due by Monday, March 30th, 2026.

Please click here for the official rules and guidelines for Non-Adjudicated Schools. If your school would like to participate but has missed the application deadline, please reach out to Lena Wallace Black for more information.