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Upcoming Productions
see full schedule

Beauty & the Beast
@ Academy of the New Church
12/06 - 12/14/2024

Mean Girls, School Edition
@ The Baldwin School
02/07 - 02/09/2025

Young Frankenstein
@ Neshaminy High School
02/14 - 02/16/2025

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High Schools

Enrollment is open to any public, private, charter, or parochial Pennsylvania high school (grades 9-12 participants only) within a 25 mile radius of City Hall, Philadelphia.

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Adjudicators

Adjudicators must be theater professionals, graduate students pursuing a Theatre Arts degree (either performing or technical), community members with theatre experience, or current/former theatre educators, that are currently unaffiliated with a participating school.

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Outreach

Through grants and free workshops, the Philadelphia Independence Awards provides opportunities to help local high schools grow their theater programs.

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9/1

Registration Opens

10/1

Registration Closes

4/20

Last Performance Date

5/19

Awards Show



Philadelphia Independence Awards

Categories

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Acting

Acting awards include lead, supporting and featured actor and actresses. Additionally, there are awards for small and large ensembles.

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Music

Male and female vocalists are recognized as are student orchestras.

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Dance

There are dance awards for solo and ensemble dancers.

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Technical Theater

Technical theater awards are given for sound, light, stage management, makeup, costumes, scenic design and effects.

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Specialty

Specialty awards include song, production, leadership and marketing.

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Education

Each year we honor one theater educator that has made an impact on their students lives.

2023-2024 Statistics

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Schools

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Adjudicators

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Nominees

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Winners

Featured School

Girard Academic Music Program

The Girard Academic Music Program (GAMP) is one of Philadelphia's premiere performing arts magnet schools, with students in grades 5-12 participating in choir, orchestra, band, and jazz ensembles. The school's annual theatrical production features the finest high school thespians anywhere in the city, and comprises the school's biggest annual performance event. Students work side-by-side with faculty to participate in every aspect of the show, from designing and building sets, designing and creating costumes, playing in the orchestra, stage and musical direction, and choreography. And of course the leads and ensemble members are the very best our region has to offer.

Recent News

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2024 Call for Schools!

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PIA on ABC!