The High School Musical Theater Awards (HSMTA) are back for a sixth year, celebrating top talents in high school musical theater. This year Colonie Central High School Line ‘n Cue’s rendition of The Wizard of Oz earned nominations for Best Technical Direction, Best Choreography, and Best Musical Tier B. This is the third year in a row that Colonie has been nominated for best musical - only 9 of the 20 participating schools are nominated, 3 in each of the tiers. 

During the spring musical season, schools are adjudicated by a panel of educators, theater experts and industry professionals in 12 performance or technical categories. When all the evaluations have been completed, scores are tabulated and certified. The highest score determines the winner in each category and winners are announced during the awards ceremony. 

The HSMTA program culminates on the MainStage at Proctors with an awards ceremony, modeled after the Tony Awards®, to recognize outstanding musical theater productions and students. The awards ceremony will take place Saturday, May 4. 

Winners are announced for each category interspersed with lively production numbers from the shows nominated for Best Musical and finalists for Best Actor and Best Actress. 

Additionally, students selected from each participating school perform in the opening and closing numbers for an inclusive and celebratory event, also featuring a full orchestra and music direction and choreography by theater professionals. 

Following the ceremony, winners of the HSMTA awards for Best Actor and Best Actress will travel to New York City over the summer to participate in the Jimmy Awards. 

“We are extremely proud of our students and staff for earning three nominations for this year’s High School Musical Theatre Awards,” said CCHS principal Mr. Kachadurian. “The show was incredible. The excitement permeated the audience, the set was spectacular and the voices and characters were on point. Regardless of the outcome, the students and staff deserve the recognition for the time, effort, and energy they put into it and the amazing performances that resulted.”

Photo Credit: Emmali Lanfear; EISS Photography