ArtsBridge Foundation - Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards

Welcome to the Acceptd profile for the Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards – The Shuler Awards®! The 2025–2026 GHSMTA program is open to ALL applicants who complete their Accepted Registration Form on Wednesday, August 6th, 2025 between 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM.

Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee a confirmed adjudication date with a full scoring panel. Final adjudication dates are secured only after Section A of the Director’s Application is submitted, an available spot is chosen, and payment is received.

Eligibility & Registration Overview

The 2025–2026 GHSMTA program is open to all Georgia high schools who complete their Acceptd Registration Form on:

Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Between 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM

Once your registration is confirmed, you will receive an automatic email with your invoice. Payment is due by Sunday, August 31, 2025.

All schools that complete the Registration Application within this timeframe will be moved forward to the Director’s Application. To access it, please select “2025–26 Director’s Application” from the dropdown menu.

The Director’s Application includes the following required sections: 

• Section A – Basic Musical Information, Date Selection, and Payment Acknowledgment
• Section B – Pre-Production Information and Uploads
• Section C – Post-Production Information and Uploads
• Section D – Post-Nomination Information, Uploads, and Awards Show Attendance

Important: Submitting the form does not guarantee an adjudication date with a full scoring panel. A confirmed date is only secured once:

• Section A of the Director’s Application is submitted
• An available date is selected from the adjudication calendar
• Payment is received

New for 2025–2026: Mentoring Track Option

Schools may now choose to apply for the Mentoring Track, which offers constructive feedback from 1–2 adjudicators without numerical scoring or award eligibility.

This option is ideal for:

• Programs under development
• Years of transition (e.g., new directors, rebuilding casts)

Mentorship allows students to grow through feedback and encourages meaningful performance goals without the pressure of competition.

Participation Requirements

1. Georgia-Based Schools
   GHSMTA serves the entire state of Georgia.

• If you wish to participate in an out-of-state awards program, you must submit an appeal.
• Currently, only certain counties near Chattanooga may qualify for the Tennessee region.
• [Click here for more info.]

• Mentoring Track Participation Fee is discounted at $125
• Scholarships are available for schools with demonstrated need.
• [Click here to apply.]

• Your musical must appear on the Qualifying Shows and Roles List provided by The Jimmy Awards.
• Shows not on the list are still eligible for all other categories except Leading Performer.

How to Register via Acceptd

Before August 6, create or confirm your Acceptd login credentials.

To complete your application:

1. Log in at www.getacceptd.com
2. Click Directory in the top menu
3. Search: ArtsBridge Foundation
4. Click the GHSMTA logo
5. Select Start an Application on the left-hand menu
6. Read all instructions before accessing the application link: This is a simple form that asks for basic information (school, director name, title of show, etc.). You’ll also choose between the Adjudication or Mentoring track and confirm that you will reserve a date.

Registration Form Opens:
Wednesday, August 6, 2025 | 3:00 PM–7:00 PM

After Registration: How to Confirm Your Adjudication Date

Once your registration is confirmed, follow these two steps:

✅ Step 1: Submit Section A of the Director’s Application

Opens Monday, August 11, 2025 at 8:00 AM

Provide basic information about your production:

• Show title
• Performance run dates & times
• Venue/location

Submitting this section unlocks access to the adjudication calendar.

✅ Step 2: Select an Adjudication Date via Calendar Link

You’ll receive a confirmation email with the link to the adjudication calendar once Section A is submitted.

• Choose from available dates
• If your first choice is unavailable, select an alternate
• If no dates work, submit a Waitlist Request Form and we will attempt to accommodate

The Adjudication Date Selection Form closes Friday, August 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM

Adjudication Season Schedule: October 10, 2025 – March 8, 2026

NOTE: Each calendar entry has an estimated time that serves only as a placeholder and will be customized based on Section A submissions when the final calendar is released.

Available Slots Per Weekend:

• Thursday Evening — 2 slots
• Friday Evening — 2 slots
• Saturday Matinee — 2 slots
• Saturday Evening — 2 slots
• Sunday Matinee/Early Evening — 2 slots

Scheduling Notes:

• Late-season dates fill quickly.
• Plan for alternate weekends in advance.
• If needed, include a Thursday performance in your licensing agreement.
• Waitlisted dates will only be confirmed if a full adjudication panel becomes available.

For additional support, visit www.artsbridgega.org or email elenhart@artsbridgega.org

Adjudication Process Overview

Adjudicators evaluate each participating high school musical based on how well it meets or exceeds clearly defined essential criteria—core expectations that apply to all productions, regardless of budget. These criteria reflect the fundamental standards of effective storytelling and assess how each department (performance, direction, design, etc.) contributes to the director’s overall vision.

Productions are assessed on their own merits, not in direct comparison to other schools. Scoring is grounded in consistent artistic standards that prioritize clarity of storytelling, performance technique, and the ability to transport the audience into the world of the show.

Consideration of Resources

A school’s available resources are considered only in the context of how they were allocated and used to support the final production. This lens helps adjudicators recognize thoughtful, effective decision-making—regardless of scale—while still holding all schools to the same fundamental expectations.

For example, a school with a limited budget may still achieve a high level of artistry through creative, cost-effective choices that serve the narrative and impact the audience experience.

Refer to the Adjudicator Evaluation Tool All Categories Eligible for the specific criteria used to assess how each production aligns with standards of excellence across each category.

Adjudication Feedback

Following the Awards Ceremony, each school receives a full adjudication report that includes scores and detailed commentary for each category. This feedback is intended as an educational tool to support student and program growth, not as a traditional review or critique.

It is at the director’s discretion whether to share the adjudication report with students, creative staff, or school administrators.

Production and Student Eligibility

The Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards Program – The Shuler Hensley Awards® is a Regional Awards Representative for the National High School Musical Theatre Awards – The Jimmy Awards®. All musicals considered for the GHSMTAs must be eligible according to the NHSMTA Qualifying Shows and Roles list.

Questions about eligibility should be directed to Elizabeth Lenhart at elenhart@artsbridgega.org.

Eligible for Individual Awards:

• High school students (grades 9–12) registered at a participating high school or homeschool organization
• Faculty members employed by the participating high school
• Middle/elementary school students and faculty from feeder schools (non-acting categories only)

Not Eligible for Individual Awards:

• Guest artists or professional performers
• Parents or volunteers
• K–8 students who are not part of a feeder program
• Homeschool students who are not registered with a participating organization

Only registered high school students in grades 9–12 are considered for acting award categories.

Homeschool Eligibility

Homeschool organizations are eligible only for the following individual acting categories:

• Supporting Performer
• Featured Performer

Use of Non-Student or Non-Faculty Participants

Participating schools are encouraged to use school resources, faculty, and students. The use of any individual who is not a full-time high school faculty member or a registered student in grades 9–12 will result in that specific category being marked ineligible for awards consideration.

However, schools may submit an appeal to the Shuler Advisory Committee for further review and possible reinstatement of eligibility.

Need Help?

Program Questions:
Beth Lenhart, Director of Arts Education
elenhart@artsbridgega.org

Technical Questions:
Visit Acceptd’s Applicant Support Help Desk