The National High School Musical Theatre Awards has reviewed the professional standards for identifying the definition of an Approved Musical and a Qualifying Role in an Approved Musical for the purposes of our program. These standards serve as a guide to create a minimum standard and criteria for what defines a Qualifying Role in the category of Best Actor / Actress in an amateur production of an Approved Musical.
1. Definition of an Approved Musical
For the purposes of NHSMTA, an Approved Musical is one that:
- Held performances in a major New York City/Broadway theatre, professional regional or touring theatre outside of New York City prior to being made available for licensing to the regional, amateur or school theatre /circuit.
- Was originally conceived and produced for a core audience over eight years of age.
- Is officially available for a performance license by a high school from the licensing entity that manages such licenses on behalf of the rights holder for such musical.
- RAP officially licensed from the licensing entity that manages such licenses on behalf of the rights holder for such musical.
- Is the standard or school edition/version; The following editions/versions are not eligible: 101 Collection, Broadway Junior, G2K (Getting to Know Series), Young Performers Edition, and Young@Part.
2. Definition of a Qualifying Role
For the purposes of NHSMTA, a Qualifying Role in an Approved Musical is a role in which the character has a name, provides a vehicle for the actor or actress to demonstrate the ability to deliver the exceptional performance of a solo song and the ability to interact with other leading and featured performers in scenes and / or songs.
Unless identified as an “Ensemble Cast Musical,” an Approved Musical may have not more than six (6) Qualifying Roles. Such roles do not have to be evenly divided between genders.
For Approved Musicals with both a book and libretto, a Qualifying Role must, at minimum, include:
- At least one solo, featured song
- Appearances in more than one scene with spoken dialogue with other leading or featured performers
- Appearances in both or all acts
For Approved Musicals with a libretto only, a Qualifying Role must, at minimum, include:
- At least one solo, featured song
- At least one song featuring solo lines or dialogue with other leading or featured performers in the same song
- Appearances in both or all acts
Appeal Process
A Regional Awards Program (RAP) may submit an appeal for either a musical or role to be considered an Approved Musical or a Qualifying Role after such RAP has applied to and been notified of their acceptance to participate in NHSMTA. Appeals must be submitted using the 2016 Appeal Form. Appeals must be made prior to May 1, 2016. Appeals made after May 1st cannot be assured acceptance for the 2016 NHSMTA. The Review Board will consider all appeals and make a determination within 10 days of submission.
Please note that the Review Board has determined that no other roles qualify in the case of shows that have less than six (6) Qualifying Roles listed.
This process has been established to ensure all RAPs use the same method and have the same opportunity to submit appeals.
Updates to the list of Approved Musicals and Qualifying Roles
Each September, in consultation with the major licensing houses, NHSMTA updates the list of Qualifying Roles and Approved Musical titles made available for high school licensing. However, because appeals are made and approved throughout the year, the list of Qualifying Roles continues to be updated. Your RAP representative should consult this list periodically to ensure that you have the most current list, which will be fully updated for the year by May 16, 2016.
Get the final and complete list of the Qualifying Leading Roles for the 2016 Jimmy™ Awards.