The Arsht High School Musical Theater Awards Program (The Arshties) is a comprehensive educational experience focused on building practical and equitable pathways to careers in the arts and developing life skills for high school theater students. Participating schools receive opportunities for master classes with Broadway artists, performance opportunities, professional feedback on school productions, a chance to represent Miami-Dade County at the Broadway League’s national Jimmy Awards and much more.
This program, open to all schools in Miami-Dade County, will recognize outstanding student achievement in musical theater productions and culminate in a showcase at the Knight Concert Hall at the Arsht. Two students who perform in this showcase will be nominated to participate in the Jimmy Awards (National High School Musical Theatre Awards) in New York.
Questions? Contact arshties@arshtcenter.org
Applications are now open. Teachers should submit applications for eligible productions by Friday, December 12, 2025.
School Registration
Connecting students and educators to through the power of musical theater.
The Arshties are open to any public, private or charter high school serving grades 9-12 with musicals occurring from October, 2025 through April, 2026. To be considered, schools must perform an approved production designated by the Jimmy Awards. Schools can apply to participate as adjudicated or non-adjudicated.
National Finalists at The Jimmy Awards®
Show up. Stand out. Shine bright.
The Arshties are the Miami-Dade County regional awards program affiliated with the Broadway League’s National High School Musical Theatre Awards, also known as the Jimmy Awards. The Jimmy Awards are a national celebration of outstanding student achievement, recognizing individual artistry in vocal, dance and acting performance and elevating the importance of theater-arts education in schools.
Every year, two outstanding student performers (one lead actor and one lead actress) are nominated to join top students from across the country for a week of private coaching with university faculty, master classes with Broadway professionals and rehearsals in preparation for a special performance. All travel, accommodation and food costs will be paid for by the Arsht. National nominees are determined through an audition process.
Students in grades 9-12 playing qualifying lead roles in their school musicals are eligible to apply. Qualified lead roles are determined by the Broadway League.
The Jimmy Awards will tentatively be held in New York with dates to be confirmed.
For more information, go to JimmyAwards.com.
National finalist applications are now open. Eligible leads from participating schools should submit an online application by Friday, December 12, 2025.
Student Applications
The future of Broadway stars here.
In addition to the awards for outstanding lead performance, students will be celebrated for outstanding achievement in theatrical design, technical execution, stage management and student reporting.
Student applications are now open. Applicants from participating schools should submit an online application by Friday, December 12, 2025. To complete the application, please be prepared to submit a portfolio of supporting materials. A list of supporting materials can be found here.
Adjudicators
Volunteer. Mentor. Make a difference.
The Arsht is seeking qualified volunteer judges (adjudicators) for the annual Arsht High School Musical Theater Awards Program. Qualified candidates should have experience working in the areas of dance, theater, music direction, vocal coaching and technical theater. As an adjudicator, you will attend school shows and provide educational and artistic feedback on qualifying musicals.
Professional Development
Your Broadway journey starts here.
The Arshties offer a variety of learning opportunities throughout the year, including in-person and virtual workshops and master classes with Broadway professionals. Master classes focus on musical theater-style dance, audition techniques, acting, vocal delivery, technical theater and more.
Students at participating schools are eligible to attend these master classes for free! Pre-registration is required and space is limited. These offerings are subject to change.
Check back for dates and more information.
Awards Showcase
Showcasing Miami’s brightest musical theater talent.
The Arshties celebrate the outstanding achievements of high school musical theater programs with awards honoring top performers, behind-the-scenes excellence and more—culminating in a Tony Awards-style showcase presented by the Adrienne Arsht Center.
Join us for the inaugural Arsht High School Musical Theater Awards Program Showcase, a dynamic evening spotlighting the best in student musical theater from across Miami-Dade County. Talented young performers will take the Knight Concert Hall stage to sing, dance and dazzle in a celebration of the next generation of artists—right from our own community.
Don’t miss this inspiring night of recognition as we honor exceptional high school productions and select two regional finalists to represent Miami-Dade County at the Broadway League’s prestigious Jimmy Awards in New York.
Save the date! Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Knight Concert Hall. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
At the showcase, participating schools and students have the opportunity to win awards for artistic excellence in categories such as:
- Outstanding Achievement in Musical Theater Production
- Outstanding Achievement in Vocal Performance
- Outstanding Achievement in Dance
- Outstanding Achievement in Orchestral Performance
- Outstanding Achievement in Design
- Outstanding Achievement in Student Reporting
- Outstanding Achievement in Technical Execution
- Outstanding Achievement in Stage Management
- Outstanding Achievement in a Supporting Role
- Outstanding Lead Performer
- Inspiring Educator Award
- The Arshties Spirit Award
How to Support
Light the way for the stars of tomorrow.
Fuel the next generation of creative changemakers, storytellers and leaders.
Support this program and help their stories take center stage.
Your gift to this program will foster life-changing experiences that build confidence and collaboration skills that last a lifetime.
To learn more about funding opportunities, contact Kimberly Mauersberg, Assistant Vice President, Development, kmauersberg@arshtcenterfoundation.org, 786-468-2306.
Series
Institutional Sponsors
The development of The Arshties was funded by The Children’s Trust. The Children’s Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children in families in Miami-Dade County.