Mainstage Production Adjudication
Spirit of the MACY Awards
The Spirit of the MACY Awards, founded in 1969 is dedicated to Recognizing, Encouraging, and Rewarding achievement and excellence in high school musical theater. We are the oldest judging organization of our type in the nation. During the special celebratory event, audiences see 20 to 25 of the best school musical performances from the past year. Just under 2,000 local high schools and stu
dents will be awarded for their musical theater performances and the two top students will be chosen to compete in βThe Jimmy Awardsβ in New York.
MACY Performance Archive
2026
Orange County Cappies Gala
Cappies is a writing and awards program that includes chapters all over the United States and Canada. Awards are given at the end of the year at a Gala and are voted upon by student judges and awarded to the top theatre students in a variety of tech and acting categories.
For more information, please visit the Cappies page on our website or www.cappies.com.
2026
Cappies Performance Archive
High School Theatre Festivals
Role About Theatre Festival
Role About is a local Festival hosted by IUSD annually, where over 20 schools and 800 students celebrate artistic accomplishments together through competition.
Role About offers many different competition categories, and students are judged by professionals from the industry and people who have participated in drama, improv, or design in high school. Role Aboutβs categories include: Monologues, Solo Songs, Duets, Group Numbers, Scenes, and Design Adjudication for Lighting, Sets, Costumes, and Hair and Makeup.
To be eligible to compete in Role About, you must be enrolled in Intermediate Drama, Advanced Drama, or Advanced Tech Theater.
2026
Individual Student Awards and Honors
OC Varsity Artist of the Year
“The ‘OC Varsity Artist of the Year’ award, presented by the Orange County Register, recognizes outstanding high school artists in Orange County, California. It’s a program that mirrors the long-standing Athlete of the Year awards, celebrating student artists in various disciplines.”
What is βArtist of the Yearβ? Each year almost a thousand students apply for recognition in 7 different art industry fields. Each are adjudicated based on talent to identify the Top 10 in each discipline before the winners are announced. Student artists are evaluated on:
TALENT AND TECHNIQUE β
Does the student demonstrate talent that has been developed through training? Has the student shown an aptitude in a variety of styles/abilities?
ARTISTIC VISION β
Does the student have a unique vision/voice as an artist? Is there a strong sense of imagination in his/her presented art form?
LEGACY/DIRECTION/CONTRIBUTION β
Does the student have a strong understanding of their personal growth as an artist? Does the student want to contribute to the artistic legacy at the school/in the community? What does the student want to contribute to the world as an artist?
HEART (the intangibles) β
Are they passionate about their art form? Do they have eloquence/insight when speaking about their art form? Do you root for this artist to succeed?
Congratulations to University High’s Helen Han! Semifinalist in 2026’s Orange County Register Artist of the Year in both the Theater and Film & TV categories.
Footlighters Scholarships
“The Footlighters also sponsor a scholarship program which each year awards five $1,000 scholarships to high school students looking to continue their education in the arts.” – Musical Theatre West
