Rising Star Competition Now Accepting Applications

One of the most coveted awards for young actors in New Jersey is Paper Mill Playhouse’s for Excellence in High School Musical Theater.

Since its inception in 1996, the Rising Star Award has helped to ignite the careers of many notable performers including Academy Award nominee , Tony Award winners of Kinnelon and of Livingston.

Paper Mill Playhouse conceived and created the awards in 1996 to provide public, private and parochial schools the opportunity to showcase their musical arts programs on a state level. Some 100 musicals are judged by Paper Mill Playhouse throughout the spring by a group of 70 evaluators — with each school receiving four independent evaluations.

The 2012 at is already set for June 5, when the nominees perform and winners receive a crystal award from Rising Star Award partner, Tiffany & Co. Any New Jersey school that produces a musical between Jan. 19 and April 15, 2012, is eligible to participate. But only the first 100 schools to apply will be entered into the program. The deadline for submissions is January 11, 2012.

“What’s happening in high school musical productions here in New Jersey and around the country is remarkable. Programs like the Rising Star Awards have raised the bar and created opportunities for student performers and theater technicians to be recognized for their achievements, while giving them access to thousands of dollars in scholarship money,” commented Paper Mill Director of Education, Lisa Cooney. “Many of Paper Mill’s Rising Star nominees and winners are now working professionally and we consistently hear from top tier colleges and casting directors that the Paper Mill Rising Star Award is a significant accolade for an aspiring theater artist.”

In addition to honors in performance, design and production categories, the Rising Star Awards recognize other aspects of the production process. Student Achievement Awards, based on nominations made by teachers and evaluations by a select committee, and an Educational Impact Award recognizing a school’s effort to connect its musical production to the district’s curriculum are presented each year. In addition, the Rising Star “Theater for Everyone” Inclusion & Access Award is presented to a school that excels in the inclusion of students and adults with disabilities as performers, designers, musicians and production staff.

Paper Mill Playhouse also awards more than $50,000 in scholarship at the Rising Star Awards. Four $1,000 cash scholarships are awarded to outstanding individual students participating in entered Rising Star Award productions, who plan to continue studying theater in college. A fifth scholarship of $1,000 is sponsored annually by Scaramouche Costumes, LLC and is presented to students planning to continue their studies in technical theater.  Students receiving final nominations in leading actor and leading actress categories receive a full scholarship to attend Paper Mill Playhouse’s competitive Summer Musical Theater Conservatory, a professional training program.

“Due to television programs like Fox’s Glee, there is a new, invigorated interest and enthusiasm surrounding these [musical] projects,” said Mark S. Hoebee, Paper Mill Playhouse’s Producing Artistic Director. “The culmination for many New Jersey high schools is the prestigious honor of a Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star nomination and we are proud to present these awards to New Jersey Schools.”

For more information or to apply, go to Paper Mill Playhouse’s website.