At the showcase, participating schools and students have the opportunity to win awards for artistic excellence in several categories. All award winners will receive trophies/special recognition live onstage at the Orpheum Theater! Select winners are also invited to perform as a part of that evening’s program.

Award categories include:

Explore open applications below.

Outstanding Musical Theater Production

Up to 10 high school musical theater productions and up to two middle school musical theater productions will be recognized in this award category. Winners will be determined by a formal adjudication process. High schools receiving awards for Outstanding Musical Theater Production will be invited to perform up to a five-minute number from their award-winning musical at the Showcase.

Schools will need to submit the piano/vocal scores of their top three song choices to potentially perform at the Showcase.

Outstanding Ensemble Performance

Up to 10 high school musical theater ensembles and up to two middle school musical theater ensembles will be recognized as winners in this award category. Winners will be determined by a formal adjudication process.

Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role

Up to 20 high school students (10 actors and 10 actresses) will be recognized as winners in this award category. Winners will be determined by a formal adjudication process. Student winners in this category are invited to perform in a special musical number at the showcase.

Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role

Up to 20 high school students (10 actors and 10 actresses) will be recognized as winners in this award category. Winners will be determined by a formal adjudication process.

Backstage Excellence Award

The Backstage Excellence Award honors one group of students for demonstrating teamwork, professionalism, and a commitment to excellence behind-the-scenes. Student run crews, costume crews, set construction crews, stagehands, or any group of students in grades 7-12 who have dedicated time in a backstage capacity are eligible. Teachers are responsible for nominating students for the Backstage Excellence Award.

Outstanding Achievement in Stage Management

The award for Outstanding Achievement in Stage Management honors students who demonstrate professionalism, leadership, and commitment to excellence in stage management. Student stage managers or assistant stage managers in grades 7–12 are eligible to apply.

Outstanding Achievement in Design

The award for Outstanding Achievement in Design honors students in grades 7–12 who demonstrate artistry, skill, and a commitment to excellence in costume, hair/makeup, props, scenic, sound, or lighting design. Winners will be determined through an application process. Students in grades 7–12 may submit multiple applications in different design categories (e.g. one application for a costume design and another application for a scenic design). Each application should focus on one design project or concept.

Outstanding Educator Award

The Outstanding Educator Award honors teachers for their outstanding achievements in performing arts education. The awards will recognize middle school and high school educators who embody the highest standards in performing arts education and demonstrate a positive impact on the lives of students. Current or past students, fellow educators, school administrators, parents, or community members may nominate teachers for this award.

Senior of the Year

The Senior of the Year Award honors one senior for their outstanding achievements in performing arts throughout high school. The award will recognize a student who embodies the highest standards of leadership within their school and demonstrates a positive impact on the lives of their fellow peers and teachers. Educators, fellow students, school administrators, parents, or community members may nominate students for this award.

Jimmy Awards^® National Finalists and Nominees

Each year, the Nebraska Theater Academy nominates two high school students (one actor and one actress) to compete with other top musical theatre students from across the nation at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards^® in New York City. Students are selected through an online application and in-person audition process. The two national nominees will be announced live onstage at the showcase.

Jimmy Awards^® Student Reporter

This award honors top high school student journalists. Winners will be selected through a video application process. Winners will be expected to shadow performers as they cover the Nebraska Theater Academy Showcase rehearsal week on social media and have the chance to receive national recognition at the Jimmy Awards^® in NYC.

Each year, the Jimmy Awards^® invites select Student Reporters from participating Regional Awards Programs to cover Jimmy Awards^® events through social media on both the official award channels and the student’s personal channels. Student Reporters work directly with the Jimmy Awards^® Digital team which allows them to receive an insider look at the digital marketing strategy of Jimmy Awards® coverage while gaining insight into the field as a whole.

To apply, create a 60-second video showing or describing how you would uniquely cover the Jimmy Awards^® on social media, as well as promoting tuning into a live stream performance or attending in-person. The video should be minimally edited and should include at least one unedited segment of at least 20-seconds in length with the applicant speaking directly to the camera. The videos must not include any performance footage. For an example of a great application video, check out award-winning student reporter, Hannah Kate-Kinney’s video here!

Nebraska Theater Academy Spirit Award

Each year one student from the Showcase Ensemble will receive this special award for demonstrating professionalism, teamwork, and going above and beyond during the Nebraska Theater Academy Showcase rehearsal process.

Showcase Ensemble

Each school is invited to select up to two students to join the Showcase Ensemble and perform in the opening and/or closing number at the showcase with our Broadway guest artist/host. Teachers are responsible for selecting students to participate in the Showcase Ensemble. Please complete the form below with selected student information by Friday, May 9, 2025. This opportunity is not connected to awards and gives ALL participating schools a chance to shine!

Outstanding Musical Theater Production

If your high school is recognized for “Outstanding Musical Production,” your students have the opportunity to perform on the Orpheum Theater stage during the Showcase!

Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role

If you win “Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role,” you will have the opportunity to perform with your peers on the Orpheum Theater stage during the Showcase!

Rehearsals

Showcase rehearsals are scheduled to run Tuesday, May 27, 2025, through Saturday, May 31, 2025, with an afternoon dress rehearsal and evening performance time (7:30 PM) on Saturday, May 31, 2025. The showcase performance and rehearsals will take place at the Holland Performing Arts Center and the Orpheum Theater. Meals will be provided throughout the rehearsal and performance period. A detailed rehearsal schedule with specific call times will be provided in spring 2025.

Housing, Meals, and Transportation

Because of the intensive rehearsal schedule, O-pa will provide students performing as a part of the Showcase Ensemble, National Finalists, winners of Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role, and Student Reporter with free housing during rehearsals. Students performing as a part of the Showcase Ensemble, Lead Ensemble, and winner of the Outstanding Student Reporter Award are encouraged, but not required to stay in Creighton University dormitory housing throughout the rehearsal period. National Finalists are required to stay in Creighton University dormitory housing. O-pa will hire experienced chaperones to stay with students in the dorms and accompany them to/from rehearsals each day. O-pa will also provide students and chaperones with transportation to/from rehearsals each day. Students who stay in the dorms must adhere to Omaha Performing Arts Code of Conduct and complete a Housing Release Form. These documents can be found in the performer guides available later this spring.

Students in Residence will receive free breakfast, lunch, and dinner between rehearsals. Free dinner will be provided to all performers who attend the dress rehearsal.

Nebraska Theater Academy Showcase Important Dates and Deadlines

• Friday, April 18, 2025 | Application/nomination-based awards due
• Week of May 5, 2025 | NTA Winners announced + public on-sale
• Friday, May 9, 2025 | Showcase Ensemble form due
• May 27 – May 31, 2025 | NTA Showcase rehearsals
• Thursday, May 29, 2025 | Tech rehearsals for Outstanding Production award winners
• Saturday, May 31, 2025 | NTA Showcase at the Orpheum Theater
• Late June 2025 | Jimmy Awards in NYC

Please note that all dates are subject to change.