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Awards Show

The Independence Awards closes each season with an awards show to recognize all of the great things happening in the local high school musical theater scene. Over 20 awards will be given in both performing and non-performing categories. The awards show will also feature performances from select productions.

PIA Role Classifications

Previous Winners

2023
2022
2021
2019
2018

Award Categories

Performance

  • Lead Actor/Actress
  • Supporting Actor/Actress
  • Featured Actor/Actress
  • Male/Female Vocalist
  • Small Ensemble
  • Solo Dance
  • Dance Ensemble
  • Orchestra
  • Ensemble
  • Song

Technical

  • Light
  • Sound
  • Marketing & Publicity
  • Costumes
  • Makeup
  • Scenic Design
  • Creative Effects
  • Shift Crew/Stage Management

Special

  • Creative Leadership
  • Jimmy's Nominees
  • Theater Educator of the Year
  • Musical

Katie Smith
Plymouth Whitemarsh High School
2021
Semi-Finalist

Benjamin Brown
Upper Dublin High School
2021
Finalist

Jackson Manning
CB West High School
2023
Semi-Finalist

The Jimmy Awards

The Jimmy Awards®/The National High School Musical Theatre Awards® (NHSMTA®) program impacts more than 100,000 students who participate in high school musical theatre competitions sponsored by presenters of Touring Broadway productions throughout the United States. Presented by the Broadway League Foundation, the program sends a Best Actress and Best Actor* winner from each of these competitions to New York for a week-long theatre intensive of coaching and rehearsals with industry professionals in preparation for a one-night-only talent showcase on Broadway. Named for Broadway impresario James M. Nederlander, the program has been the catalyst for more than $2,000,000 in educational scholarships. For more information, please visit www.JimmyAwards.com.

The Kimmel Center will serve as a sponsor for two students from the Philadelphia region to compete at the Jimmy Awards, the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, in New York City.

Qualifying Roles

You Should Know

At the conclusion of the season, adjudicators participate in a two round selection process. The first part determines the nominees in each of the categories. In the second part, the adjudicators vote for the winners.

Any schools nominated for Best Song or Best Musical will have the opportunity to perform at the awards ceremony.

Any student who has performed in a qualifying role as a lead or supporting actor/actress will be eligible. Qualifying roles are determined by the Jimmy Awards and then the Philadelphia Independence Awards decides which roles are lead vs. supporting. Additionally, eligible students must submit appropriate paperwork by specified due dates. One male and one female student will be selected to represent the Philadelphia Independence Awards.

Interested in sponsoring an award?

Learn More!