The DPAC Rising Star Awards is a Regional Awards Program and a part of the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, aka The Jimmy™ Awards. Student performers all across the country compete in the national program by winning top honors at regional high school musical theatre awards competitions presented by Broadway League member performing arts centers just like DPAC.

• Founded in 2009 by Nederlander Alliances LLC, Pittsburgh CLO, and Broadway Education Alliance (BEA), the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (NHSMTA) mission is to raise the profile of musical theatre in schools, recognize dedicated teachers, and inspire the next generation of performers and enthusiasts. Also known as The Jimmy™ Awards, in honor of legendary Broadway producer/theatre owner James M. Nederlander, the NHSMTA is supported by many leading theatre industry organizations.

• Since its inception in 2009, the program impacts over 140,000 students annually who participate in regional high school musical theatre competitions sponsored by over 40 professional theatres throughout the United States.
• The NHSMTA has enabled over $4,000,000 in university and conservatory scholarships to be awarded to talented students at the national and local level—several of whom have already been cast in Broadway, Touring, and West End productions.
• The National Awards program takes place at Nederlander's Minskoff Theatre in New York, home theatre for Disney's The Lion King.
• NHSMTA nominees prepare for their Broadway debut during a ten-day professional training intensive with NYU Tisch School of the Arts' New Studio on Broadway faculty members and other top theatre professionals.
• Winners are selected by a panel of judges comprised of notable theatre professionals including Tony Award-winning producers and award-winning casting experts.
• In 2012 PBS produced a 3-part documentary series called “Broadway or Bust,” which follows students on a journey from their hometown competitions to their debut on a Broadway stage at the Minskoff Theatre. Check out this video series to get a real feel for the National High School Theatre Awards program, and it’s immense impact to theater students across the country.
• More information about the National High School Musical Theatre Awards can be found at JimmyAwards.com.