2015 RULES & REGULATIONS
Regional Awards Programs (RAP) must adhere to the following Rules & Regulations in order
to participate in the 2015 National High School Musical Theatre Awards (NHSMTA). Please
review the rules and regulations below carefully, as qualifications for participation may have
changed from last year.
1. The RAP has existed for one (1) year prior to participation in NHSMTA and during this
year demonstrated compliance with NHSMTA Rules & Regulations.
2. The RAP is sponsored by a legitimate professional theatre/company that is a member of
The Broadway League.
3. The sponsoring legitimate professional theatre/company that is a member of The
Broadway League has sponsored only one (1) RAP this year.
4. The RAP is expected to adjudicate student performances through either (a) a full-scale
Awards Program Model based on a Tony Awards® model (for reference please refer to
similar programs such as The Gene Kelly Awards, The Tommy Tune Awards, or Shuler
Hensley Awards); or (b) through an Audition model.
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Awards Program Model: The RAP sends qualified judges to review high school
musical theatre productions presented by individual schools during the 2014-15
school year. All aspects of shows, such as actors, choreography and designers,
etc. are judged on performance and production quality. Awards are presented in
a full-scale event in which Nominees perform/participate. At this event, a Best
Actor in a Leading Role and Best Actress in a Leading Role are chosen based on
his/her performance of a Qualifying Leading Role in an Approved Musical in a
full-length high school production that took place during the 2014-15 school
year. Both winners are invited to attend NHSMTA.
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Audition Model: The RAP uses the Audition model to adjudicate student
performances under the condition that it demonstrates an intention to develop
an Awards Program Model in the near future. A Best Actor in a Leading Role
and Best Actress in a Leading Role are selected through an audition process
based on his/her performance of a Qualifying Leading Role in an Approved
Musical in a full-length high school production that took place during the
2014-15 school year. Eligible students must be nominated by a teacher, or the
director of the full length high school production of an Approved Musical.
Qualified judges assess audition solos from these roles in a live performance. A
winner is chosen in each category. Both winners are invited to attend NHSMTA.
5. Both (a) and (b) models must adjudicate Nominees who perform in a Qualifying
Leading Role in an Approved Musical in a full-length high school production that took
place during the 2014–15 school year. For the purpose of NHSMTA, leading roles will be
defined as per a list found at: http://nhsmta.com/pages/qualifying-lead-roles.
Approved RAP(s) can appeal roles and musicals for inclusion that may not be on the
current list.
6. A high school has participated in one (1) RAP only.
7. A nominee has participated in one (1) RAP only.
8. Nominees are judged only on his/her performance of a Qualifying Leading Role in an
Approved Musical in a full length high school production.
9. Nominees must be conflict free and available for all days during NHSMTA week of
Wednesday, June 24 – Monday, June 29, 2015.
10. Nominees are required to travel to New York City to participate in a rigorous week that
will include individual coaching and group rehearsals for the The Jimmy™ Awards
show.
11. Nominees understand and agree to all possible videotaping, televised opportunities,
photos, press interviews, and print advertising. (Waivers will be provided in the
Participant Information Packet.)
12. In addition to a non-refundable application fee, the RAP is responsible for funding
round-trip travel to New York City for its two Nominees. NHSMTA will arrange and
pay for Nominees’ expenses in New York City including housing, meals, and other
expenses necessary to the program.
13. Once accepted to participate in the NHSMTA Program, the RAP is required to submit
the following necessary documentation in digital form:
 A list of all participating high schools in your program and the high school’s
participating musical
 Each high school musical director’s name, mailing address, email address and
phone number
 The name of another primary contact at the high school, including phone
number, email, and mailing address
 Nominee (i.e. Best Actor and Best Actress winners) names and contact
information
 Nominee headshots (current)
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Nominee one-page essays
Nominee resumes formatted to NHSMTA-provided template
Nominee music submissions
Nominee release/waiver forms
All score sheets associated with the selection process
Three still images from RAP’s 2014 ceremony
14. Once accepted to participate in the NHSMTA, the RAP is also required to submit the
following (digital upload instructions will be provided upon acceptance to the
program):
 A highlight video demonstrating both Nominees’ performances were from a
2014–15 school year Qualifying Leading Role in an Approved Musical in a full
length high school production
 A highlight video of the RAP ceremony
 A video submission featuring each Nominee’s topic response (guidelines to be
provided in Participant Information Packet)
 All documentation is to be submitted to NHSMTA by the RAP, not by Nominees