Dallas Summer Musicals will present the High School Musical Theatre Awards, featuring performances like separate medleys of the Best Actor and Best Actress nominees, production numbers from Best Musical nominees, and an opening number featuring all nominated performers accompanied by a live orchestra. After the presentation of the awards, the show culminates with a finale performance by students from each participating high school.

A three-judge panel of entertainment industry professionals and veteran educators will visit each high school and judge the performers in 16 categories: Best Musical, Best Direction, Best Musical Direction, Best Choreography, Best Orchestra, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting, Best Ensemble, Best Crew, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Featured Male Performer, and Best Featured Female Performer. Ballots will be tabulated by the accounting firm of Grant Thornton, the official ballot professional service partner of the 2016 Tony Awards®.

Winners of the Best Performance by an Actor and Actress receive an all-expense paid trip for five days to New York City to represent their high school in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (the Jimmy™ Awards) for the chance to win prizes and scholarships, which vary by year.

All participating high schools and their shows will be listed at www.DSMHSMTA.org.