National High School Musical Theater Awards Finalists Cheer The BLACKHAWKS

"The National High School Musical Theater Award finalists are cheering on the Blackhawks from New York City. Congratulations to the 2013 Stanley Cup Champions!"

“The National High School Musical Theater Award
finalists are cheering on the Blackhawks from New York City.
Congratulations to the 2013 Stanley Cup Champions!”

ABOUT THE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATER AWARDS:

The National High School Musical Theater Awards (NHSMTA) was established
in 2009 to elevate the importance of theater arts education in schools
and reward excellence in student performance.  The program impacts over
50,000 students annually who participate in high school musical theater
competitions sponsored by thirty professional theatres throughout the
US.

Since its inception, NHSMTA has been the catalyst for more than $750,000
in educational scholarships awarded to deserving young performers.  Also
known as The Jimmy(tm) Awards, named for Broadway impresario James M.
Nederlander, this year-round program is administered by the Broadway
Education Alliance (BEA) a New York based non-profit corporation
dedicated to supporting initiatives that inspire creativity, build
confidence and stimulate critical thinking in America’s youth.  NHSMTA
is BEA’s first national initiative.

Thanks to the support of its participating professional regional
theatres and donors, NHSMTA continues to grow.  This year the program
inspired PBS to produce a 3-part documentary series called “Broadway or
Bust,” which follows students on a journey from their hometown
competitions to their debut on Broadway at the Minskoff Theatre.  The
series, which premiered in September 2012, was showcased in 100% of
PBS’s Top 50 strategic markets and is one of their most highly rated
programs.  It continues to be aired on stations across the country, and
along with dozens of additional online video segments, remains popular
viewing around the clock and around the world at www.pbs.org.

The depth, scope and education-centric mission of NHSMTA coupled with
its extensive television and media exposure has made participating in
the program an aspiration for a growing number of high schools.  Based
on feedback from participating theatres, school administrators are now
directing both human and financial resources to improve the quality of
theatre arts education in their districts.  This renewed enthusiasm for
the performing arts in schools is already helping to invigorate local
theaters and the communities they serve.

For more information, please visit www.nhsmta.com.