Pittsburgh CLO is proud to announce the 30th anniversary of the Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater will be held as a virtual event on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at 7:30pm ET! As many high schools have been unable to produce their annual shows, Pittsburgh CLO made a shift from the traditional in-person Gene Kelly Awards Ceremony to a virtual gathering online, creating a unique program to celebrate young artists and showcase their talents. After holding several town hall meetings and conversations with previous participants, the need to bring back this unique and beloved event became more pressing. As we continue to adapt to the ever-changing new normal, staff, volunteers, and school representatives have been working diligently behind the scenes to put together this first-ever online awards ceremony. One of the most exciting aspects of this year's online format is that all high school students living in Allegheny County can participate.
Any high school in Allegheny County may choose to participate in this year’s virtual celebration even if their school is not producing a musical. Since few schools have been permitted to produce musicals this year, no group categories will be adjudicated or awarded. The competition component will only include individual categories; Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress. The school productions will not be adjudicated by a panel of independent judges.
The Gene Kelly Award winners for Best Actor and Best Actress will participate in an arts education and professional development experience by competing at the national level with the Jimmy Awards, which will be held virtually and broadcast nationwide in 2021.