Broadway Babies

Stars are born at Broadway Dallas' high school theater awards

UPDATE: At the 15th annual Jimmy Awards, held on June 24 in New York City, Damson Chola Jr. won Best Performance by an Actor. Fabiola Caraballo Quijada placed in the top four for Best Performance by an Actress.

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The Tony Awards, Broadway's biggest night, is coming up on June 16 but Dallas-area high-schoolers already experienced their night in the spotlight on May 24.

That's when Broadway Dallas hosted its 13th annual High School Musical Theatre Awards at the Music Hall at Fair Park, giving away $65,000 in scholarships to boot.

The ceremony was hosted by Dallas native and two-time HSMTA winner Haley Dortch — currently starring as Fantine in the national tour of Les Miserables, which stopped in Dallas in December 2023 — and featured student performances, award presentations, and acceptance speeches from the winners.

A total of 79 productions from 73 participating high schools were evaluated by a diverse group of highly qualified judges from the North Texas theater community. Awards were presented in 15 categories and scholarships were awarded to outstanding graduating seniors who apply and were selected by the Broadway Dallas scholarship panel. To date, Broadway Dallas HSMTA College Scholarship program has awarded more than $500,000 in cash scholarships, raised through private donations, to deserving students.

The Outstanding Musical award went to Rowlett High School's production of Six, while Cleburne High School's Damson Chola Jr. (Little Shop of Horrors) and Tyler Legacy High School's Fabiola Caraballo Quijada (Something Rotten) each won Outstanding Lead Performer.

Each receives a scholarship and an all-expenses paid trip to New York City to represent their high school in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (the Jimmy Awards) on June 24.

Broadway Dallas High School Musical Theatre Awards 2024

Photo courtesy of Broadway Dallas

The awards come with generous scholarships.

"We say this every year, but it’s true: The Broadway Dallas High School Musical Theatre Awards is the most special night of the year,” says Ken Novice, president and CEO of Broadway Dallas. "We’re beyond proud to celebrate the hard work of these students and witness their talent onstage. Congratulations to all the 2024 nominees and winners!"

Other notable winners include:

Outstanding Direction: Midlothian High School, Chicago: Teen Edition
Outstanding Choreography: Grapevine High School, Something Rotten
Outstanding Music Direction: Liberty Christian School, Singin' In The Rain
Outstanding Orchestra: Wakeland High School, White Christmas
Outstanding Ensemble: Liberty Christian School, Singin' In The Rain

See the full list of winners here.

kids education theater

Budget Cuts

Funding cuts force Dallas Children's Theater to trim 2025-26 season

Dallas Children's Theater presents James and the Giant Peach

Photo courtesy of Dallas Children's Theater

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The upcoming 2025-26 season for Dallas Children's Theater is shrinking, according to a new communication from its leadership.

A June 2 email signed by executive director Samantha Turner, board president Leah Mora, and recently appointed artistic director Emily Ernst informs supporters that due to "the significant financial challenges of the current environment," DCT will be reducing the upcoming season from five mainstage shows to three.

The email doesn't specifically call out the government's cuts to arts funding, but it is heavily implied, especially since other theaters have recently experienced financial difficulties due to the federal cuts.

"We remain deeply committed to artistic excellence and to the 90,000 young people and families we serve annually," reads the email. "Though we will have fewer performances, we will continue to provide meaningful theatrical experiences that inspire children, nurture their imagination, and encourage connection with the world around them."

The 2025-26 will retain the previously announced world premiere of The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza! (November 22-December 21, 2025), as well as The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show (January 24-February 22, 2026) and Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey (March 27-29, 2026), and add a new developmental workshop envisioned by Ernst.

The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley and Jungalbook will no longer be produced, and ticket-holders will be receiving instructions on ticket options.

DCT Academy classes, a vital part of the theater’s work, will continue through the summer, concluding August 8. After that, Academy sessions will be temporarily paused. Families enrolled for the fall semester will receive a separate email with next steps.

"Although our performances are well attended and our community support is strong, ticket sales cover only a small portion of the true cost of producing theater," the email explains. "At the same time, our operating costs have steadily increased while funding levels have remained flat. This financial pressure requires immediate action to keep DCT viable — not just for this season, but for the years ahead."

Tickets for the 2025-26 season are on sale now.

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