Austin area high school musical stars will compete on national stage

For the first time, performers who win the Heller Awards for Young Artists, which honor high school musicals in Central Texas, can now compete for the Jimmy Awards, also known as the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, which will be presented in New York City in June.

The news was confirmed as nominees were announced for the 2023 Heller Awards, which will be handed out in at a high-energy ceremony on April 19 at the Long Center for the Performing Arts.

More:3 things you missed at Texas Film Awards: Jonathan Majors, Margo Martindale, more stars

What's the history behind the Heller Awards for high school musicals?

During the past decade, more than 40 Austin area high schools have competed in the Greater Austin High School Musical Theatre Awards, which were recently renamed the Heller Awards after arts backers Andrew and Mary Ann Heller.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Judges fan out across the region to nominate individuals and shows in categories much like the venerable Tony Awards, given to Broadway's best since 1947.

Veteran teacher and coach Ginger Morris produces and directs the awards with help from the Long Center and Zach Theatre.

More than 20,000 students have taken part in the awards since they were initiated in 2013. It's really a year-long program that provides training, membership, industry networking and community building.

In a sense, the Heller Awards do for school musicals what the UIL One Act Play contests have done for non-musicals for decades, but with more emphasis on collaboration rather than interscholastic competition.

More:ATX TV Festival adds 'Righteous Gemstones,' 'grown-ish,' Ted Danson

Who is nominated from Austin area high schools?

The awards are usually spread out among dozens of area shows in 16 categories, but one could argue that the best production and best ensemble nominees give a sense of overall achievement:

Best production

• "Urinetown," Hendrickson High School
• "Anastasia," Round Rock High School
• "The Addams Family (School Edition)," Jack C. Hays High School
• "Chicago (High School Edition)," Cedar Ridge High School
• "Anastasia," Rouse High School
• "Pippin," McCallum Fine Arts Academy
• "SpongeBob SquarePants," Westwood High School
• "The Drowsy Chaperone," Vista Ridge High School

Best Ensemble

• "Urinetown," Hendrickson High School
• "Pippin," McCallum Fine Arts Academy
• "The Addams Family (School Edition)," Jack C. Hays High School
• "The Drowsy Chaperone," Vista Ridge High School
• "Anastasia," Round Rock High School
• "Kiss Me, Kate," Georgetown High School
• "SpongeBob SquarePants," Pflugerville High School
• "Chicago (High School Edition)," Cedar Ridge High School

Other categories include lead, featured and supporting performers, stage direction, stage management, choreography, scene design, technical execution, costume design, lighting design, orchestra, marketing, design and musical direction.

For a complete list of nominees, go to this Google document.

This is how Texas high schoolers made it to the national awards

Yes, the national awards celebrate outstanding student achievement, particularly in vocal, dance and acting performance.

The Hellers are now considered one of dozens of regional prizes that feed into the Jimmy Awards. These honors are presented by the Broadway League Foundation. The Hellers joined through the good graces of Texas Performing Arts, the home for Broadway in Austin touring shows, and a member of the Broadway League.

What to expect from the Long Center ceremony

The Heller Awards will be given out starting at 7:30 p.m. April 19 in the big Dell Hall in the Long Center. Expect the ceremony to last at least three hours. It is a show biz awards show, after all.

Also imagine a super-charged atmosphere in the house, where friends and family will be cheering nominees and winners as if it were the Super Bowl.

Consider these component parts:

• Numbers from the nominated high school musicals.
• Medleys sung by nominated performers in a warmly collaborative format.
• Big numbers by a "Select Ensemble" made up of high schoolers who are coached prior to this show by Morris.
• Short acceptance speeches from students (not teachers).
• Much longer motivational speeches from adults associated with the awards.

Tickets go on sale in late March at the longcenter.org.