Illinois to have high school musical awards

For the first time high schools across Illinois can enter the Illinois High School Musical Theater Awards.

The annual awards are sponsored by Broadway in Chicago, which brings touring shows to the Chicago theatre district. The awards will be next May and feature 24 finalists; 12 actors and 12 actresses. They will compete in front of Chicago casting agents and theater professionals. They also will receive tickets to a Chicago show and perform onstage at the Broadway Playhouse

Two winners from Illinois — an actor and an actress — will go on to New York to compete in June at the National High School Musical Theater Awards on Broadway.

High schools can nominate actors and actresses who perform during the 2011/2012 academic year.

———