GHSMTA FAQ

Q: How can I learn more about this year’s program?

A: On Monday, August 7, 2023 at 5:00pm on Zoom, we will host a Pre-Registration Virtual Town Hall in order to provide informaaiton and answer questions about the 2023-24 GHSMTA season. If you weren't able to attend, you can find a recording of the meeting on our GHSMTA landing page. Additional detailed information explaining the registration process, along with a completed sample of the required forms can also be found on both the ArtsBridge website as well as our social media platforms.

 

Q: When does the registration for the 2023-24 Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards - Shuler Hensley Awards® open?

A: Registration will open promptly on Monday, August 28, 2023 at 8:00pm. Be at the ready! It is the only date and time that registration will be open – slots fill up in as little as 10 minutes!

 

Q: What schools are eligible to participate in the GHSMTA program?

A: Any high school or registered home school organization in Georgia that has been granted the legal rights to produce a full-length musical within the adjudication season, and who's show is found on the Approved Qualifying Musical Show List offered by The Broadway League is eligible to participate.

 

Q: Where do I register for the 2023-24 GHSMTAs?

A: Participants must register ONLY through our online Acceptd platform.

 

Q: How many schools can register for the 2023-24 GHSMTA program?

A: We are able to accommodate no more than 50 participating schools in the GHSMTAs program. These fifty schools are determined on a first-come, first-served basis based on completion and submission of the registration form (Part 1) via the Acceptd platform. Acceptd will automatically close after the first fifty spots have been filled.

 

Q: I missed the deadline to be one of the 50 participating schools. Is there a waitlist?

A: Yes. You will find the link to the waitlist o the ArtsBridge Acceptd Homepage.

In addition, if you were in the process of completing your registration form when the 50 slots were filled, then you will receive a pop-up message at the top of the page advising you that the registration is offcially closed. However, you will still have access to the link that is listed on the ArtsBridge Acceptd Homepage.

 

Q: Is there a cost to register for the Shuler Awards?

A: The registration cost is $200. The payment is due in our offices by Friday, September 8 at 5:00pm. We are happy to announce that we have kept the same registration without any increases for the past several years.

 

Q: What does this $200 registration fee cover?

A: The registration fee covers the cost to use the online administrative platform Acceptd.

 

Q: What forms of payment can a participating Shuler school use to pay the $200 registration fee?

A: Credit card or check. 

 

Q: What kinds of questions are on the registration application?

To claim one of the fifty slots for the 2023-24 GHSMTA program, the director must complete and submit Section A Part 1 of the Director's Application. To view a sample of a completed application, click here.

 

Q: If the show that my school would like to produce this year is not listed on the 2023 Jimmy’s Qualifying Roles and Show’s list is there anything that I, as a director, can do?

A: Yes. Working together with Elizabeth Lenhart , the Director of Arts Education, you can fill out an official appeals form and request a new show submission to be added to the list. The Broadway League/Jimmy’s Appeals Review Committee meets once a quarter. If a school would like to submit an appeal, please contact Beth directly at elenhart@artsbridgega.org.

It is also HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that they submit an appeal as soon as possible, to ensure a timely response since the process can take weeks/months to receive an offical result.

 

Q: Can I, as a director, and my team set up a time to ask further questions with an ArtsBridge staff member about the 2021-2022 Shulers?

A: Yes, a director and their team may set up a 30 minute session with our Director of Arts Education, Elizabeth Lenhart, in order to talk further and in more detail about the 2023-24 GHSMTAs. You can request a session via email at elenhart@artsbridgega.org.

 

Q: Are there any save-the-dates that I should know about?

A: Yes.

The registration fee due date is Friday, September 8, 2023 at 5:00pm. Please not that complete confirmation includes the receipt of your registration fee by the due date above.

The Registered Director's Virtual Town Hall isThursday, September 7, 2023 at 5:00pm. Those schools who received a confirmation of participation are obligated to attend this session.

 

Q: Is there still a Process to Performance video requiremet as part of the application process?

A: We no longer require a separate Process to Performance VIdeo Project. Instead, the information we deemed necessary have been integrated as informal questions within the normal application section with response options that include either a quick form (informal) selfie-style recording uploads or written response boxes.

 

Q: How do I know if my production is eligible for each category?

A: Each of the sixteen competitive awards categories has specific eligibility requirements. For a detailed breakdown of these eligibility requirements, click here.

 

Q: How do adjudicators evaluate each category?

A: The Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards celebrate excellence in high school musical theatre. Excellence is inherently subjective, but we do require our adjudication teams to familiarize themselves with both our official Criteria for Excellence as well as our Adjudication Rubric.

 

Q: If I have any additional questions, where can I ask follow-up questions?

A: You can send any additional questions to our program coordinator, Jasmine Lewis, at jlewis@artsbridgega.org.

 

And finally, love what we’re doing? Learn more about how to support ArtsBridge Foundation and the Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards - Shuler Hensley Awards® at ArtsBridgeGA.org/get-involved/

 

---

Q: What are the Shuler Hensley Awards/Shuler Awards®? 

A: Presented as the Shuler Hensley Awards® and known as “The Shuler Awards®” or “Shulers®,” the education program is named for the Atlanta-born star of the stage and screen who typically emcees an annual ceremony in the tradition of the Tony Awards®.  Nominees and winners are recognized as the best of the state’s high school musical theatre students and schools of the academic year, with two winners—best actress and actor—typically progressing to represent Georgia nationally in New York in June. However, the Jimmy Awards® will be completely virtual this year. Like the Jimmy Awards®, the 2020-2021 Shuler Awards® adjudication process and ceremony will be completely virtual. Due to the Shuler Awards® being reimagined as a fully virtual production, the awards broadcast will be held in May. 

Q: What are the competition categories?

A: Fashioned after Broadway’s Tony Awards®, this year’s Shuler Award® high schools and their students will competed in various categories. The main objectives of the program are to increase awareness, advocacy and support for Georgia’s arts education programs, to develop and foster growing talent by providing learning and performance opportunities, and cultivating/nurturing productive relationships among Georgia’s promising thespians and educators. The Shuler Award® categories include direction, music direction, orchestra, choreography, featured performer, ensemble, overall production, scenic design, costumes, and best performances by a leading actress, actor, supporting actress or supporting actor.

Q: Who are the sponsors?

A: Sponsors of the Shuler Awards® have included the Atlanta Braves Foundation, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Delta Community Credit Union, Deloitte, John & Mary Franklin Foundation, Georgia Lottery, Jimmy and Helen Carlos, Shan Cooper and Tyler Perry Studios. A full list of sponsors is available online at ArtsBridgeGA.org/our-supporters/partnerships. We are thankful for the generosity of our financial supporters who recognize the importance and educational value of the Shuler Awards® program. Additional corporate donations or private contributions to the Shuler Awards® are appreciated and may be submitted online at ArtsBridgeGA.org/get-involved/donate.

Q: What is ArtsBridge Foundation?

A: ArtsBridge Foundation is dedicated to providing quality arts education and community programs that engage, motivate, inspire, and elevate the next generation of artists and arts supporters. ArtsBridge provides arts education opportunities to K-12 students through programs at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, including field trips, professional development, family programs, and the annual Shuler Awards®. Since 2007, ArtsBridge has served more than 410,000 students and educators from 67 Georgia counties, plus students from five bordering states. ArtsBridge Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. ArtsBridge Foundation and GPB-TV’s live broadcast of The Shulers® won the Southeast Emmy® Award in 2018, 2019 and 2020 for special event live coverage, indicative of the superb quality and high production value Georgia students bring at show time. To learn more visit ArtsBridgeGA.org. 

 
Q: Anything else I should know?
A: ArtsBridge follows a principle of I.D.E.A. (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access), because we are committed to diversity at all levels and of all kinds, and we celebrate the uniqueness and gifts of everyone. In line with our Mission and Vision we embrace and welcome ALL to participate in our program!