Arsht Impact The Arsht High School Musical Theater Awards Program

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

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 2026 through April 30, 2027. To be considered, schools must perform an approved production designated by the Jimmy Awards. Schools can apply to participate as adjudicated or non-adjudicated.

More Information

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 be held in New York.

For more information, go to JimmyAwards.com.

National finalist applications open in February 2027.

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 open in February 2027. 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.

Upon registration, adjudicators will be contacted by Arshties staff to schedule three productions to attend and evaluate. Adjudicators will be able to select dates and locations that align with their availability. Adjudicators will receive an honorarium for their mileage and time.

ADJUDICATOR APPLICATION

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.

Awards Showcase

Showcasing Miami’s brightest musical theater talent.

The Arshties celebrate the outstanding achievements of high school musical theater programs across Miami-Dade County, honoring top performers, behind-the-scenes excellence, and more in a Tony Awards-style showcase presented by the Adrienne Arsht Center. On the Knight Concert Hall stage, talented young artists sing, dance, and dazzle in a dynamic evening that spotlights the best student talent our community has to offer. The night culminates in the selection of two regional finalists to represent Miami-Dade County at the Broadway League's prestigious Jimmy Awards in New York.
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 

Save the date! Saturday, May 15, 2027 at the Knight Concert Hall. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, April 1, 2027.

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 Jodi Farrell, Vice President, Development, jfarrell@arshtcenterfoundation.org, 305-331-3361.

Make A Donation

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 and families in Miami-Dade County.