Blue Star Awards Kick Off ‘Sweet 16th’ Year
On the heels of marking a milestone 15th anniversary in 2017, Starlight Theatre’s Blue Star Awards will celebrate their “Sweet 16” during the 2017-18 school year.
Since 2003, this important arts education program has annually honored the outstanding achievements and talents of thousands of high school musical theatre students in Kansas City and surrounding communities. The program culminates with the Blue Star Awards Ceremony each May. At this red-carpet ceremony on Starlight’s Cohen Community Stage, select nominees perform production numbers and medleys, 20 awardees are honored, and two students receive college scholarships. The 2018 Blue Star Awards Ceremony will be Thursday night, May 17.
Starlight is thrilled to welcome 52 area high schools as participants in the Blue Star Awards’ 16th anniversary year. Between October and March, they will produce and present 57 musicals (a few schools enter both a fall and spring show). New to the program this year is Olathe West High School, and DeSoto High School returns after a few years’ absence.
From Olathe to Excelsior Springs, Raytown to Paola, community audiences will be entertained by the more than 5,000 students who selflessly dedicate their time and talents to their high schools’ musical productions.
The theatrical action on stage began in mid-October when Shawnee Mission South High School officially kicked off the 2017-18 Blue Star Awards season with its production of Footloose.
November is by far the biggest and busiest month on the annual calendar with 39 high schools staging their musicals on or around the three weekends before the Thanksgiving holiday.
Starlight staff and Board members encourage you to attend a show or two or several and help us celebrate the hard work and outstanding accomplishments of talented Kansas City area teens. You might just catch a glimpse of a future star of the Broadway stage!
Click here to learn more about the Blue Star Awards, check the schedule of upcoming high school musicals and view a list of past honorees.