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Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards

Events

Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards

Created in 2008, the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards (HTAA) are presented annually to recognize outstanding achievement by local high school students in their musical and play productions. Modeled after The Tony Awards® on Broadway, the HTAA are produced and presented by the Hershey Theatre Education Department. Since its inception, the HTAA program has awarded more than $220,000 in scholarships largely made possible through individual donations.

Apollo Awards Registration and Eligibility

Fall Play Registration: September 04, 2019 - September 20, 2019

Spring Musical Registration: January 03, 2020 - January 17, 2020

Registration Info Director's Info Support Rubric

HTAA Registration and Eligibility

School Eligibility

Any public or private high school in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon and Perry counties may participate. Schools in Elizabethtown area are also invited to participate.

Playwright Eligibility

Designed to encourage budding playwrights, the Outstanding Student Playwright Award is presented to a student in grades 9 through 12 who lives in the eligible region. Students are NOT required to attend a high school that currently participates in the HTAA.

Students, themselves (rather than a director), register to be evaluated for the Outstanding Student Playwright Award by completing a Letter of Intent, due Friday, November 1, 2019.

View the Outstanding Student Playwright Award Rules and Regulations



group posing in costumes after theatre performance girl looking shocked yet excited after recieving an award on stage while wearing a beautiful silver gown

Award Categories

  • Outstanding Student Orchestra
  • Outstanding Dance Number in a Musical
  • Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play
  • Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical
  • Outstanding Featured Performer in a Play
  • Outstanding Featured Performer in a Musical
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play
  • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical
  • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical
  • Outstanding Production of a Play
  • Outstanding Production of a Musical
  • Spirit of Theater
  • Outstanding Student Playwright

Director's Info

Important Dates for Directors

Evaluation

All evaluators are trained yearly in the scoring method established by the HTAA. Evaluators are required to attend mandatory training sessions throughout the year.

Seven evaluators are sent to each school’s production. The highest scoring individuals and shows in each category become the nominees of that category. Depending on score breakdown, each category may have anywhere from four to seven nominees. The highest scoring individual and show in each category will be the award recipient. Results are kept confidential until announced on the evening of the awards show.

Results are kept confidential until announced on the evening of the awards show. Further details on the evaluation process and additional regulations can be found on the Director's Information.

Further details on the evaluation process and additional regulations can be found on the Director’s Page.

Individuals interested in becoming an evaluator should contact Renee Krizan at retkrizan@hersheytheatre.com or 717-508-2666.

Support

Individual Contributors

Every year, the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards presents scholarship funds to each student nominated for an award. This feature is one of the unique aspects of this awards program. These scholarships typically amount to over $20,000 every year and are largely made possible through individual donations like yours.

two people dressed in costume in the middle of a theatre performance looking into eachother's eyes excited group in costumes singing a song during a theatre performance

$250 Donation
Annually, each student nominated in an individual category receives a $250 scholarship. Your donation of $250 sponsors one of the scholarships that each nominated student receives.

$150 Donation
A personal donation of $150 sponsors a school that is nominated for an outstanding performance. Your monetary contribution goes directly to that school to support its theatre arts program.

$100 Donation
A personal donation of $100 supports a student nominated for a Spirit of Theater Award. The director of each participating school may select one individual from their production(s) to receive the Spirit of Theater Award for his or her dedication to the production behind the scenes.

Donate Now

Your personal donation to HTAA has a direct impact on the future of a young person who lives in the Central Pennsylvania area:

"I can't thank you enough for the award check that will be put towards my education to pursue my dream." - Olivia

"Thank you for the generous scholarship," and "Thank you for promoting the performing arts in today's youth." - Delaney

Learn about our scholarship opportunities

Corporate Support

Business can also help support Central Pennsylvania high school theatre students by becoming a sponsor of the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards. Click here to see the various levels of sponsorship available for businesses. Also, check out our Program Advertising options.

For additional information on sponsorships, please contact Kim Barger at kiebarger@hersheytheatre.com or 717-534-3415.

Download a personal sponsorship form