With high school theaters going dark throughout the State of New Jersey, the Axelrod Performing Arts Center, in conjunction with local non-profit Cabaret for Life ([CFL), is turning the spotlight on high school musical theater students with the NJ High School AXE Awards.
Four winning seniors will each receive $1000, while the top male and female underclassman will each receive $500. The award money is provided byCFL in memory of Amy Fredericks, a local music director and teacher who frequently volunteered for the organization.
The NJ High School AXE Awards are open to all current high school students who live in Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties. Any senior cast in a leading or supporting role in a 2020 high school musical is eligible, whether or not the show went on. Freshmen, sophomores and juniors who had leading, supporting or featured roles can also submit.
The six categories for the AXE Awards are Best Actor in a Musical, Best Actress in a Musical, Best Supporting Actor in a Musical, Best Supporting Actress in a Musical, Best Non-Senior Actress in a Musical and Best Non-Senior Actor in a Musical.
Entrants have through May 8 to fill out the registration form available at www.axelrodartscenter.com/post/nj-high-school-axe-awards and submit a performance video.
A panel of theater professionals will select finalists, and an online vote will determine the five winners on May 18, with winners announced after Memorial Day.
For more information, email adeprisco@axelrodartscenter.org.
