The Dallas Summer Musicals High School Musical Theatre Awards is a Regional Competition that is a part of the National High School Musical Theatre Awards. Schools from all over Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma are a part of the Dallas Region.

The Dallas Summer Musicals High School Musical Theatre Awards aim to inspire and honor excellence in high school musical theater, and to recognize the importance of musical theater and arts education.

During the competition season, Dallas Summer Musicals sends judges, who are professionals in the theatre community, to each school to adjudicate the performances. The scores that are given to the cast and crew of each school are sent to the accounting firm who then calculate the nominees and winners.

FHS Theatre Department Head Jacob Lierman said that this year his group was nominated for nine awards.

“We were nominated for nine awards this year including the coveted Best Musical category,” Lierman said. “Of all the schools that participated, they have named us as one of the top eight schools. Other nominations include: Best Supporting Actor Braxton Turner, Best Supporting Actress Savannah Pruitt, Best Ensemble, Best Scenic Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Crew and Technical Execution, Best Direction and Best Musical Direction.”

Lierman said that this year his and his student’s goal was simple – to have as  normal of a theatre experience as possible.

“After last year's shut down, we saw a need for these kids to come back and create,” Lierman said. “We wanted to give them the space to do that. Our incredible kiddos came back ready to work and ready to perform, they make it easy to do what we do. When you have kids that are invested and have a thirst for greatness, the rest falls into place.”’

Lierman said even after facing many challenges this year his department and students are so thankful.

“In the midst of what seemed like chaos in the world,” Lierman said, “we in the Frenship Fine Arts world have been blessed and could not be more thankful for our students, our colleagues, our administration and our amazing community and the support they have shown these amazing kids.”

This regional awards program takes place at the Dallas Music Hall with an awards ceremony, modeled after the Tony Awards®, to recognize outstanding musical theater productions and students. This year, winners will be announced in a virtual livestream event on June 11, 2021. You can view that livestream here.