Press Release Introducing The Arshties
New Musical Theater Awards Program for Miami-Dade High Schools
Adrienne Arsht Center Launches The Arshties,
a New Musical Theater Awards Program for Miami-Dade High Schools
First-of-its-kind program in Miami celebrates local students and builds pathways to careers in the arts
Miami – October 9, 2025 – The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County (@arshtcenter) is proud to announce the launch of THE ARSHT HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATER AWARDS PROGRAM, affectionately referred to as THE ARSHTIES, a new annual program designed to celebrate, elevate and expand musical theater education in Miami-Dade County high schools. This marks the Adrienne Arsht Center’s latest investment in arts education, offering students and teachers professional-level experiences and recognition for their work both on and off the stage. 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.
Open to all Miami-Dade County public, private and charter high schools producing a musical between October 2025 and May 2 2026, The Arshties will provide students with access to Broadway-caliber master classes, feedback from theater professionals and technical theater training – all culminating in a Tony Awards-style showcase on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Adrienne Arsht Center’s Knight Concert Hall. At the showcase, two local student performers will be selected to represent Miami-Dade County at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (the Jimmy Awards®) in New York City.
PHOTOS AND BROLL AVAILABLE HERE.
“The Arsht is deeply committed to empowering the next generation of artists,” said Jairo Ontiveros, executive producer and VP Dorothea Green Chair of Education and Community Engagement at the Arsht. “With The Arshties, we’re creating equitable pathways for students to experience the transformative power of the performing arts; whether they dream of Broadway or simply want to build confidence, spark creativity and strengthen teamwork.”
In addition to recognizing outstanding student performances, The Arshties will present awards for excellence in technical theater, stage management, vocal performance, choreography and design, fostering a comprehensive appreciation for the collaborative art form of musical theater. The program also includes free professional development for educators, ensuring Miami-Dade County teachers have the tools and resources to inspire the next generation.
Applications for schools are now open and must be submitted by Friday, December 12, 2025. There is a $100 registration fee per school production, with registration fee waivers available upon request. Tickets to the May 2026 showcase will go on sale starting April 1, 2026.
For a full list of award categories, eligibility requirements and registration information, visit ArshtCenter.org/Arshties
ABOUT ARSHT IMPACT PROGRAMS
The Arshties is one of more than a dozen free-admission Arsht Impact programs that create magical experiences and enrich the lives of 120,000 people of all ages in Miami. Programs include: Arsht for Miami, a vibrant series of free community events for all ages; Gospel Fest Miami, a six-month celebration of gospel music’s rich history and vibrant culture; Heritage Fest, an all-ages event that celebrates Black artists in our community; AileyCamp Miami, a full-scholarship, six-week summer camp which uses dance as a vehicle for the personal development of young people; CommuniTea Dance, an annual celebration honoring Miami's LGBTQ+ community; Arsht on the Road, a series of pop-up performances that bring the arts into Miami-Dade County's diverse neighborhoods; Arsht Plus, interactive pre- and post-show experiences connecting audiences more deeply with each Broadway, classical and dance performance; Accessing the Arts Residencies, performance workshops for children and adults with disabilities; and Brushes with Cancer, a program that matches artists with patients, survivors and caregivers touched by cancer to create art reflective of their journeys.
*All programs, artists, ticket prices, availability, dates and times are subject to change without notice. Ticket prices include fees. Visit ArshtCenter.org for up-to-date information.
The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is made possible by the public support of the Miami-Dade County Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council and the City of Miami Omni Community Redevelopment Agency, and the state of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Adrienne Arsht Center also receives generous support from individuals, corporations and local, state and national foundations.
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About the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County
The Arsht proudly serves as the cultural pulse of Miami – the heart of magical live arts experiences that spark the imagination and connect people to one another. Whether on our stages or in your neighborhood, the Arsht is alive year-round with international artists , innovative programming from resident companies and local arts partners, free community events that reflect Miami’s unique identity and more than 100 culturally diverse and impactful learning experiences for 80,000 children every year.
Since opening in 2006 in the heart of downtown, the Arsht, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has been recognized as a leader in the city’s cultural transformation, a catalyst for billions of dollars in new development and a host venue for historic events. The 300+ annual Arsht events include a robust series of touring Broadway musicals direct from New York, star-studded jazz and classical music concerts curated for South Florida, a major annual Flamenco Festival and an award-winning Miami-based theater program. In addition, Gospel Fest Miami, Art + Mind Day, Heritage Fest and our LGBTQ+ Pride celebration are among dozens of free events that bring people from all corners of our community together. For more information, visit ArshtCenter.Org.
Click here for hi-res photos and b-roll
MEDIA CONTACTS
Gino R. Campodónico
786-468-2228
gcampodonico@arshtcenter.org
Suzette Espinosa Fuentes
786-468-2221
sespinosa@arshtcenter.org