The Spotlight Awards are dedicated to supporting the talents, educational endeavors, and friendships of high school theatre students in Tennessee to build a strong and inclusive theatre community.
Every year Tennessee high school theatre programs can apply to participate in the three-part program comprised of recognition, exclusive learning opportunities, and community building. Events and opportunities offered throughout the year are designed to help students and directors hone their skills and advance their understanding of the craft. Schools can participate in the Adjudication Level to have a panel of arts professionals attend each school’s musical and provide feedback on the performance. Schools receive awards that honor achievements in performance, technical and creative categories, at a professionally produced Awards Ceremony held in TPAC’s Jackson Hall.
TPAC’s membership in The Broadway League, allows the two Spotlight Award Outstanding Lead Performer winners to attend The Jimmy Awards®, a national celebration of outstanding student achievement, recognizing individual artistry in vocal, dance, and acting performance and elevating the importance of theatre arts education in schools.
Spotlight Awards Participation Handbook
Participant Portal
2026-27 Spotlight Event Calendar
1st Participation Graphic for Playbills
2nd Participation Graphic for Playbills
Parent/Admin Letter of Advocacy and Understanding
Social Media Content Submission Instructions
Production Detail Form Submission
Individual Spotlight Media Release
TO SUBMIT:
(Title all files prior to uploading with school name and title of submission)Submission Uploads – Production Photos
Submission Uploads – PDF version of Playbill
Submission Uploads – Show License Contracts and Media Releases
Lead Performer Nominee and Awards Ceremony Portal
Lead Performer Nominees:
2026-27 Spotlight Handbook - OUTSTANDING LEAD NOMINEE
Lead Performer Nomination – Accept or Decline
Self-Tape Audition Example Video
Audition Tracks and Other Submission
Lead Performer Intensive Video Showcase
Awards Ceremony and Performance Information:
Run of Show and Tech Rehearsal Schedule
Ceremony Information Form Submission
Adjudicator Documents
Adjudicator Information Packet
Spotlight Awards Rubric Packet
Adjudication Ballot
Interested in being an adjudicator? Email us at Education@TPAC.org.
Curtains School Edition
April 9-11, 2027
Mamma Mia
March 18-21, 2027
Legally Blonde The Musical
April 1-4, 2027
Hadestown
March 4-7, 2027
Guys & Dolls
March 12-21, 2027
The Tragedy of Macbeth
October 23-November 1, 2026
Disney's Frozen
March 19-20, 2027
Seussical the Musical
April 9-18, 2027
Wizard of Oz (RSC Version)
March 19-21, 2027
Mary Poppins
April 2-11, 2027
Les Miserables School Edition
March 4-6, 2027
Hadestown Teen Edition
March 4-6, 2027
The Music Man
March 4-7, 2027
Annie Get Your Gun
April 8-10, 2027
SIX: Teen Edition
December 3-5, 2026
Disney's The Little Mermaid
March 4-6, 2027
Matilda the Musical
November 12-14, 2026
Mamma Mia
April 2-5, 2027
Seussical
April 10-11, 2027
Disney's Newsies
April 15-17, 2027
Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical
April 9-11, 2027
Freaky Friday The Musical
April 1-4, 2027
Flowers for Algernon
November 5-8, 2026
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical
November 12-14, 2026
Matilda
March 12-15, 2027
Legally Blonde The Musical
November 5-7, 2026
The Spongebob Musical
March 4-7, 2027
Legally Blonde The Musical
April 9-10, 2027
Into the Woods
November 12-15, 2026
Little Shop of Horrors Broadway Version
March 18-20, 2027
My Fair Lady
April 1-4, 2027
Little Women
December 16-20, 2026
Oklahoma!
November 2026
Charlotte's Web
February 2027
Shrek the Musical
April 2027
Finding Neverland
March 18-21, 2027
Bye Bye Birdie
April 9-11, 2027
The Music Man
April 8-11, 2027
Jekyll & Hyde
April 8-12, 2027
Big Fish, School Edition
April 1-4, 2027
The Addams Family School Edition
October 24-November 1, 2026
Fiddler on the Roof
April 8-10, 2027
Damn Yankees!
April 8-11, 2027
Into the Woods
March 5-14, 2027
Hadestown, Teen Edition
March 12-14, 2027
Disney's Frozen
November 6-8, 2026
TBD
April 9-11, 2027
Disney's Newsies
April 1-4, 2027
Beetlejuice, Jr.
December 11-13, 2026
Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical
April 1-4, 2027
Radium Girls
November 12-15, 2026
Addams Family
November 18-21, 2026
Annie
February 19-27, 2027
Sweeney Todd School Edition
April 2-4, 2027
Alice in Wonderland
April 9-11, 2027
Little Shop of Horrors Broadway Version
October 15-18, 2026
Mamma Mia
March 18-21, 2027
Seussical, Jr.
April 2-10, 2027
Disney's Newsies, Jr.
November 12-15, 2026
Shrek the Musical, Jr.
April 16-18, 2027
How to Train Your Dragon, Jr.
February 25-27, 2027
Singin' in the Rain, Jr.
November 6-7 and November 13-14, 2026
Disney's Newsies
November 12-14, 2026
Anastasia, Youth Edition
December 11-13, 2026
Disney's The Little Mermaid, Jr.
March 12-14, 2027
The Spotlight Awards celebrates high school musical theatre by recognizing achievements in performance, technical excellence, and creativity through professional adjudication and teacher nominations. Culminating in a celebratory awards ceremony at TPAC, the program honors growth, artistry, and the transformative impact of arts education in an inclusive and supportive community setting.
All participants gain access to exclusive, year-round learning opportunities designed to enhance their skills and understanding of the craft. Through master classes, workshops with industry professionals, panel discussions, job shadowing, and professional development for teachers, students and directors are empowered to grow as artists and leaders in the performing arts.
The Spotlight Awards strengthens community by fostering artistic excellence, creativity, collaboration, and a growth mindset among participants. Through engaging community events that blend fun with learning, we bring together students, educators, and supporters to celebrate the arts and enrich the cultural landscape of Tennessee.
Special recognition to our Founding Sponsor, Lipscomb University’s College of Entertainment and the Arts.
Thank you to our sponsors Vanderbilt University, Piedmont Natural Gas, and Nissan North America – Official Education Partner.
Follow @SpotlightAwards on Instagram for program news, learning opportunities, and inspiring and creative posts.
