North Carolina Theatre is hosting the third annual NCT Capital Awards for High School Musical Theatre Excellence presented by Capital Bank. The event takes place on Monday, May 18, 2009 at 7:00 pm at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts. The Capital Awards is a logical step in NCT’s efforts to advance the performing arts by highlighting the work of the next generation of aspiring young performers. North Carolina Theatre has a strong commitment to theatre education, dating back to the creation of Summer Theatre Arts School in 1984 and more recently the launch of NCT's Conservatory for the Performing Arts in North Raleigh in 2004.

The goal of the NCT Capital Awards program is threefold: to celebrate students for their dedication to musical theatre, to elevate interest in performing arts education and to perpetuate community support for the performing arts.

Arts educators at 11 schools from all over the state have registered their school productions, outstanding actors and technical students for consideration of a NCT Capital Award. Expert judges are in the process of nominating outstanding performances in each category including Outstanding Musical, Direction, Choreography, Musical Direction, Sound, Lighting, Scene Design, Costume Design, Stage Crew and Technical Execution, Ensemble, Leading Actor, Leading Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress and Featured Performer.

Outstanding Musical nominees will get a chance to perform one number from their show as part of the awards production. Each Outstanding Leading Actor/Actress nominated will also be allowed to perform a portion of a song from their performance. The show will be produced on a grand scale with black tie presenters and professionally staged numbers. Professional lighting, sound and staging will be utilized. Presenters will have a tie to North Carolina and performing arts or may be veterans of NCT productions.

The Monday night event is a black-tie event.  Besides Broadway veteran, Clay Aiken, the other celebrity presenters include Clay’s friend, Lynda Loveland, Steve Daniels of WTVD ABC 11, Roy Dicks of The News & Observer and others.

 

Tickets are ON SALE NOW. $15 General Admission. Please call 919-831-6941 ext 6944 for tickets.

May 19/09 Clay returned to his roots. He presented an award in Raleigh at the 'Capital Awards'. These are Raleigh's version of Broadway's 'Tony Awards'. Students are honored for excellence in high school musical theatre productions.