The Butler Arts Awards
The Butler Arts Awards honor and celebrate outstanding achievement in high school musical theatre, showcasing the talent, creativity, and dedication of students across Indiana. Through this program, we strive to elevate the visibility of high school musical theatre, provide meaningful support to arts education, and highlight the vital role the performing arts play in enriching our schools and communities.
Save the date for the first annual Butler Arts Awards ceremony – May 20, 2027.
Learn More About the Butler Arts Awards
2027 Butler Arts Awards Categories
- Outstanding Musical Production
- 6 nominees will perform an ensemble number at the Awards Ceremony and 1 winner will be awarded
- Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role
- 12 nominees will perform at the Awards Ceremony and 1 Actor and 1 Actress will be awarded
- Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role
- Up to 6 students will be recognized for their performance in a non-lead qualifying role
- Outstanding Student Production Crew
- One crew comprised of at least 75% students will be recognized
Key Dates for the 2026-2027 Season
- May 1- August 3, 2026 – Registration Window Open
- August 12, 2026 – Participating Schools Announced
- September 2026 – April 2027 – Adjudication Window
- September 2026 – May 2027 – Butler Arts Awards Musical Theatre Workshops in partnership with Broadway Across America
- May 18 – 20, 2027 – Butler Arts Awards Tech Week at the Butler Arts & Events Center
- May 20, 2027, at 7:00 pm – Butler Arts Awards Ceremony
Educational Opportunities for Participating Students
- Broadway Masterclasses
- Free workshops with Broadway touring actors and professionals, tied to Broadway in Indianapolis performances. Students gain skills and audition tools directly from industry professionals.
- Broadway Krannert Cabaret
- A Broadway cabaret hosted in Clowes Memorial Hall’s Krannert Room, where participating students perform a Broadway number of their choice for their peers with a live accompanist.
- Student Reporter Program
- Two selected students serve as media storytellers during Tech Week and the Ceremony, producing short-form digital content and conducting interviews behind the scenes.
- Production Promotion
- All participating schools’ productions are listed and promoted on the Butler Arts Awards website and on the @ButlerArtsAwards Instagram page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Public, private, parochial, and charter high schools across Indiana can apply to participate in the Butler Arts Awards. Schools must produce a full-length musical during the adjudication window using Jimmy Awards eligible material.
There is a $100 registration fee per production. Scholarships are available for schools in need.
Productions must be eligible for the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (the Jimmy Awards).
The 2027 Butler Arts Awards will take place at Clowes Memorial Hall on May 20, 2027. Tickets to attend the Butler Arts Awards will be available for purchase in early 2027.
A panel of 2-3 experienced adjudicators attend all participating productions and score using a detailed rubric. Every school receives a written feedback report. Productions are evaluated independently, not against one another. These scores will determine the top 6 Outstanding Musical Production nominees, the top 12 Outstanding Performance in a Lead role nominees, the 6 Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role winners, and the Outstanding Student Production Crew winner.
The Educator Information Page has full program details, the registration form, document deadlines, and rules and regulations.