Broadway in Chicago seeks talented teen theater artists

Broadway in Chicago celebrates the next generation of theater artists as part of its third annual Illinois High School Musical Theater Awards competition taking place next month.

Schools may submit names of nominees or students may nominate themselves for the national honor. To be considered, nominees must have performed a leading male or female role in a full-length school musical during the 2013-14 academic year. A list of eligible roles is available at the National High School Music Theater Awards website at nhsmta.com.

The application is due by Monday, April 7. It's available for download at broadwayinchicago.com/ihsmta.

Twenty-four Illinois finalists - 12 actors and 12 actresses - will be selected and notified by April 11. They will perform before Chicago area casting agents and theater professionals during a showcase on April 25 at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place in Chicago. Each finalist receives tickets to BIC's production of "Newsies" playing Chicago Dec. 10 to Jan. 4, 2015, and an opportunity to participate in a workshop with a "Newsies" associate choreographer.

Illinois' top male and female high school performer will receive an all-expense-paid trip to New York City to compete for the National High School Musical Theater Awards, also known as The Jimmy Awards.

For more information, see nhsmta.com.