Rita Moreno Awards

THE RITA MORENO AWARDS are co-hosted by Broadway San Jose and Children's Musical Theater San Jose at the San Jose Center for Performing Arts. 
 
This awards competition recognizes outstanding achievement in high school musical theater. The Lead Actor and Actress winners will be sent to the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (NHSMTA) – also known as the Jimmy™ Awards – in New York City, where they’ll perform on a Broadway stage before industry experts and compete for scholarship opportunities. (www.jimmyawards.com). 

Any California public, private, parochial, or charter school located within the following counties (listed below) that have a production taking place within the 2025-26 school year before our adjudication deadline can register.

• Calaveras
• Fresno
• Inyo
• Kern
• Kings
• Madera
• Mariposa
• Merced
• Mono
• Monterey
• San Benito
• San Luis Obispo
• San Mateo
• Santa Clara
• Santa Cruz
• Stanislaus
• Tulare
• Tuolumne

High school productions can be considered for nomination in the following categories: Overall Production, Lead Actor, Lead Actress, Supporting Performer and Fan Favorite.
 
IMPORTANT DATES: 

• Registration Opens: Monday, September 8, 2025
• Eligible productions must have performances adjudicated by Saturday, April 18, 2026
• Announcement of Nominees: No later than Wednesday, April 22, 2026
• Award Ceremony: Monday, May 18, 2026
• Jimmy Award Ceremony: June 22, 2026

Please refer to the "Resources" tab on this page to review the 2025-2026 Rules & Guidelines 

To register, use the drop-down menu at the top left of this page under "Start a Registration" for 2025-2026 School Productions.

We look forward to meeting California high schools' brightest stars! 

For questions, email the Program Director, Roxanne Rodriguez at rrodriguez@broadwaysanjose.com. 

For technical questions, please visit the Acceptd Help Desk.