Adjudication Criteria & Process​
After the awards ceremony, each school will receive a written analysis from the reviewers who saw the production. This feedback is meant to help the school realize its full potential based on its resources. It may be shared with the students or not at the discretion of the director.
School & Production Eligibility:
- The high school must be located within 50 miles of the Fabulous Fox or The Muny.
- A high school may participate in only one Regional Awards Program.
- Musical productions must take place between September 1, 2025, and April 25, 2026.
- Schools may present any licensed musical. However, only specific roles within each production are eligible for The Jimmy Awards consideration.
- The Ken Page Awards maintain and regularly update an Eligible Roles List, identifying which roles in submitted productions qualify for Outstanding Actor/Actress in a Leading or Supporting Role.
- If a production is not yet on the list, it will be added once a school registers the show and eligible roles are reviewed.
Individual Eligibility:
- Actors & Actresses in a Leading or Supporting Role:
– The student must be enrolled in grades 9-12 at the participating school at the time of performance.
– In the case of single-gender schools, performers of the opposite gender from another school are also eligible.
Design & Direction Awards:
– Only faculty members or students from the participating high school are eligible for individual awards for Directing, Choreography, Musical Direction, Set Design, or Costume Design.
– Guest artists, parents, or volunteers are not eligible.
Technical Execution:
– Schools are eligible for this award if students contribute at least 50% of the execution and/or implementation process.
Orchestra:
– Schools are eligible for this award if students from the school comprise at least 75% of the orchestra.
Being ineligible for one category does not disqualify a school from consideration in other categories.
Ken Page Awards Weekend Intensive & Audition
The top 10 scoring Actors in a Leading Role and top 10 scoring Actresses in a Leading Role (20 students total) will be announced on April 30.
These students must attend a two-day musical theatre intensive at The Muny (May 2–3) to remain eligible for Jimmy consideration.
During the intensive, students will:
Prepare two 1-minute vocal selections (one from their nominated role and one from the Jimmy Awards song library).
Learn and perform a choreographed dance combination.
Participate in media training with PR & marketing professionals.
Audition for a panel of St. Louis musical theatre adjudicators.
Have scores from all three phases tabulated to determine the Ken Page Awards Jimmys nominees.
Groups & Awards
All 20 students will perform in the Ken Page Awards ceremony.
Students unable or unwilling to attend the intensive will automatically be placed in the Feature Group.
Students will be notified on May 4 of their placement in either the Character Group or the Feature Group:
Feature Group performers will appear in the closing number and are not eligible for Jimmy selection.
Character Group performers will present medleys from their nominated roles. From this group, one actor and one actress will be announced as the Outstanding Actor and Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role, representing St. Louis at the Jimmy Awards.
After the awards ceremony, if requested, each school will receive a written analysis from the reviewers who saw the production. This feedback is meant to help the school realize its full potential based on its resources. It may be shared with the students or not at the discretion of the director.
Adjudication Categories
Outstanding Musical Production – Level 1 Budget
Outstanding Musical Production – Level 2 Budget
Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role
Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role
Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role
Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role
Outstanding Direction – Faculty of the participating school
Outstanding Musical Direction – Faculty of the participating school
Outstanding Choreography – Student Category & Faculty Category
Outstanding Ensemble – All schools are eligible
Outstanding Orchestra – 75% or more student participation
Outstanding Technical Execution – 50% or more student participation
Outstanding Scenic Design – Student Category & Faculty Category
Outstanding Costume Design – Student Category & Faculty Category
Specialty Awards (Not Adjudicated)
WOW! Moment Award – Recognizes a production element that enhances the show (nominated by adjudicators).
Spotlight Award – Honors individuals in non-adjudicated roles (onstage or backstage) who go above and beyond (nominated by adjudicators).
Student Content Creator Excellence Award – Recognizes students involved in production journalism. Two nominees will advance to the Jimmy Awards Student Reporter Search (nominated by teachers).
Technical Theatre Excellence Award – For students excelling in roles such as sound engineers, lighting designers, and stage managers (nominated by teachers).
Inspiring Teacher Award – Each school’s theatre students may nominate one theatre teacher who is in a full-time position at the participating school (nominated by students).
Evaluation Rubric
Reviewers for the SLHSMTA are provided with training to ensure that all reviewers are using the same criteria for their evaluations and feedback.
Evaluation criteria may change.
The purpose of the St. Louis High School Musical Theatre Awards is to recognize, celebrate, and encourage excellence in high school musical theatre. In addition to scoring specific categories, reviewers will be asked to provide the school with a narrative critique to help them determine how they can better utilize their available resources.
Performance
Leading Actress, Leading Actor, Supporting Actress, Supporting Actor
- Performer can be heard and understood (proper pronunciation, clear articulation).
- Performer conveys the character’s objectives, obstacles, and tactics.
- Performer stays in character and has believable interactions with other characters.
- Performer appropriately commands and yields focus.
- Performer’s pitch, phrasing, interpretation, breath control and diction indicate good vocal training.
- Performer’s vocal moments are delivered in character.
- Performer’s vocal moments are consistent with the style of the show.
- Performer moves with poise and ease.
- Performer effectively communicates personal joy in performing and makes it appear effortless.
- Performer demonstrates a strong sense of spatial awareness in the execution of blocking and choreography.
- Production Adjudication – 60% (scores from the school’s adjudicated production)
- Audition – 30%
- Professional Decorum – 10%
- Students are adjudicated in the category corresponding to their personal gender identification, not the gender of the role they played.
- Students identifying as non-binary or gender-fluid may choose the category in which they wish to be adjudicated (regardless of the gender of the role) or they may be adjudicated based on the gender of the role they played.
- Teachers are encouraged to share these guidelines to ensure clarity and foster understanding, promoting inclusivity and respect for all students’ identities.
Ensemble
- Ensemble demonstrates a clear understanding of how they support the story; they are animated and in the moment.
- Ensemble delivers vocal moments in character and with appropriate interactions.
- Ensemble delivers choreographic moments in character.
- Ensemble has an appropriate balance of unity and individuality, effectively populating the environment.
- Ensemble commands and yields focus appropriately.
Orchestra
Orchestra must be 75% students from the participating school.
- Tempi and rhythms are appropriately and effectively executed.
- Orchestra’s decorum is professional: appropriate attire, concert master tunes orchestra, etc.
- Entrances and cut-offs are clean.
- Orchestra is able to adjust to the demands of a live performance.
- Orchestra plays in tune.
Technical Execution
- Stage crew performs transitions with speed and accuracy.
- Stage crew is appropriately dressed to minimize their visibility.
- Cues are called and implemented appropriately.
- Sound is balanced and without distortion.
- Costume changes (QCs particularly) are done in a timely manner.
Choreography
Must be a Faculty member or a member of the student body
- Choreography effectively propels the story and/or helps delineate character.
- Choreography makes good use of levels, formations, traffic patterns, and available space.
- Choreographic moments build within each number.
- Choreography is designed to suit the diverse abilities of the performers.
- Choreography is inventive and varied.
Costume Design
Faculty member or a member of the student body and students must contribute at least 50% of the design implementation.
- Costumes help establish location, time frame, and mood of the production.
- Costumes allow performers full range of motion.
- Costume design color palette is compatible with other design elements.
- Costume quality is consistent throughout the cast.
- Costumes are well-fitted and well-maintained.
Scenic Design
Eligibility: Faculty member or a member of the student body and students must contribute at least 50% of the design implementation.
- Scenic design helps establish location, time frame, and mood of the production.
- Scenic design allows for easy and effective blocking and choreography.
- Scenery is appropriately sized for the venue and makes good use of the available space.
- Scenic design is compatible with other design elements.
- Practical elements work easily and effectively.
Musical Direction
Eligibility: Faculty member or a member of the student body
- Soloists and ensemble sing with emotional understanding and consistent characterization.
- Vocal moments indicate clear direction and instruction in diction, pitch, rhythm, breath control, and dynamics.
- Transitions between dialogue and music are seamless.
- Entrances and cut-offs are dear and consistent.
- An effective balance between orchestra and performers is maintained.
Direction
Must be Faculty member or a member of the student body
- All design elements are cohesive and harmonious.
- Blocking creates visually-pleasing stage pictures that contribute to the understanding of the story line.
- The arc of the story and specific plot points are well-paced and clearly delineated .
- Transitions are smoothly executed, with little to no disruption of the story-telling.
- Production elements and performances reflect a creative vision.
Overall Production
- The choice of material is appropriate for high school students.
- Production reflects effective use of the school’s resources (venue size, budget, available personnel, etc.)
- The mood, style, time period, and location are clearly and cohesively established.
- Technical and design elements are harmonious and support the story-telling.
- Characterizations are strong, believable, and effectively integrated in dialogue, song, and dance.
- Performers are confident in their roles and are able to maintain characterizations under all circumstances.
- Casting reflects appropriate use of diverse talents.
- The cast is fully invested in the performance.
- Support aspects (ushers, lobby display, program) are handled professionally.
- Pre- and post-performance behavior of cast and crew is discreet and professional.
Reviewers
Each high school production will be adjudicated by a panel of three reviewers.
We are seeking reviewers with diverse areas of expertise: dance, music, acting, and technical theatre.
Reviewers complete a non-partiality survey and geographic preference survey. This information is used to determine which reviewers see which shows.
There are two mandatory meetings for all reviewers, one in early fall before the reviewing process begins and another in late April.
If you are interested in becoming a reviewer for the KPA, please contact Charlie Mueller.