COMPETITION GUIDELINES
The Kelli O’Hara Awards were created by OKC Broadway to celebrate outstanding achievement in Oklahoma high school musical theatre. The program highlights the exceptional students and teachers who devote their time and passion to making a home in their schools for the performing arts.
OKC Broadway is a regional provider of The National High School Musical Theatre Awards (AKA “The Jimmys”), a program that unites high school musical theatre awards programs from around the country. The winners of the Kelli O’Hara Awards for Best Actress and Actor will participate in The National High School Theatre Awards, where they will receive professional training and compete with winners from dozens of other regional programs to a national audience.
Awards are given in the following categories: Outstanding Actor and Actress, Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Ensemble, Stagecraft, Graphic Design, and Student Reporting. Spotlight Awards are also given to students from each participating school who are in non-qualifying roles, but adjudicators felt had an outstanding performance.
GOALS
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To recognize extraordinary achievement in musical theatre at the high school level
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To advocate for arts education in schools
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To foster a lifelong love of the performing arts in students and in the community
AWARD CATEGORIES
In addition to the awards above, one student from each participating school who was not in a qualifying role, but adjudicators felt deserved recognition for their increidble performance will be awarded a Spotlight Award.
Students and schools are adjudicated by a roster of performing arts professionals from the Oklahoma City community. Learn more about our adjudication process on our adjudication page.
ELIGIBILITY
The Kelli O’Hara Awards program is open to public and private high schools producing musical theatre in Central and Western Oklahoma. To verify if your school is within our region, view our region list. Only shows and roles found on the National High School Musical Theatre Awards qualifying roles list* will be considered. The list can be found on the National Awards website.
PARTICIPATION
There are no fees to participate in the Kelli O'Hara Awards competition. Schools and students wishing to participate need only apply, following the guidelines provided for their respective categories.
SCHOOL APPLICATION PROCESS
All schools that would like to participate must complete the online form.
SCHOOLS MUST BE REGISTERED IN ORDER FOR STUDENTS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Your application to participate must be completed by October 1 to participate in the Kelli O'Hara Awards 2025 - 2026. Once your application has been received, you will receive an email from the award coordinator with more information.
Productions must be a National High School Musical Theatre Awards qualifying show and must open and close by April 30 of the current school year to be considered.
If you have questions regarding your eligibility, notify the awards coordinator via kelliawards@okcbrodway.com.
OUTSTANDING ACTOR/ACTRESS
Students wishing to be considered for the Outstanding Actress or Actor award, must submit their application separately from the school application. Outstanding Actor/Actress application.
Eligibility Requirements:
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Nominees must be currently enrolled in high school grades 9-12, in the Kelli O'Hara Awards region.
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Nominees must be performing in a qualifying show and appearing as a qualifying role, as noted by the National High School Musical Theatre Awards. For more information on qualifying roles and shows visit here.
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Nominee should be available for the following dates.
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5/26/26 - 5/29/26 -- Kellis Week & Kelli O'Hara Awards ceremony
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6/12/26 - 6/23/26 -- NHSMTA Week ("The Jimmys")
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The 2 students selected to represent the Kelli O'Hara Awards for Outstanding Actress and Actor will participate in the National High School Theatre Awards, where they will receive professional training and compete with winners from dozens of other regional programs to a national audience.
Note: The Kelli O'Hara Awards currently does not require COVID-19 vaccinations, however it may become a future requirement for participation.
OUTSTANDING STUDENT DESIGN AWARD
High school students from participating schools are invited to submit their ideas for this year's Kelli O'Hara Awards t-shirt design. All entries will be vetted by Kelli O'Hara Awards staff, who will select the top 5 designs. These finalists will be posted on OKC Broadway's social media platforms, where the public can vote for their favorite. The winning design will be featured on this year's Kelli O'Hara Awards shirts and the student will be invited to accept the Outstanding Student Design Award at the Kelli O'Hara Awards ceremony.
STAGECRAFT AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
The Stagecraft Award of Excellence recognizes a student, who, throughout Kelli's week, has worked alongside professionals and other students in the technical field of theatre. The winner of this award is one student who staff felt demonstrated excellence in technical skills, creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and professionalism.
A select number of students from schools identified as finalists in the Outstanding Musical Performance (OMP) category will be nominated to participate by their teachers. Additionally, students interested in stagecraft whose school is participating in the Kelli O'Hara Awards competition, but were not identified as finalists in OMP, are invited to apply. Technical staff from the Civic Center Music Hall and OKC Broadway will review applications and invite a select number* of candidates to compete alongside nominated students.
During the Kelli's Week, these students will work alongside Civic Center Music Hall technical staff to assist in producing the Kelli O'Hara Awards Ceremony. Students will learn working stage fundamentals, lightning, sound, and carpentry.
*Total number of students selected will depend upon the backstage and technical needs of the upcoming Kelli O'Hara Awards ceremony.
STUDENT REPORTER AWARD
The Kelli O’Hara program has introduced the Student Reporter Award, designed to engage students who are not participating in their school's productions. This initiative seeks to foster connections with local schools’ journalism, film, and related departments. Two nominees selected by the Kelli O’Hara Awards will gain exclusive behind-the-scenes access to document and showcase “The Kellis” during Kelli’s Week on OKC Broadway’s social media channels.
These nominees* will then progress to the next stage of the Jimmy Awards’ Student Reporter Search, with the potential to cover the 2026 Jimmy Awards in New York City. To learn more information about the the Jimmy Awards Student Reporter Search on their website.
*The two students chosen as the Kelli O'Hara Award Student Reporters, will be the nominees submitted to the Jimmy Awards' Student Reporter Search. Being selected for this award does not guarantee you will be covering the National High School Musical Theatre Awards in New York City. For more information, contact Kellis staff at kelliawards@okcbroadway.com
TIMELINE
Those seeking to participate in the Kelli O'Hara Awards should mark their calendars for the following dates. Additional dates will be added as more information becomes available.
September 1, 2025
Application to participate opens
October 1, 2025
All schools intending to participate must complete an application to participate by the stated deadline
December 31, 2025
Applications close for Stagecraft Award, Design Award and Student Reporter Award
January 2026
Recipients selected for Kelli O'Hara Student Reporter Award
April 30, 2026
All school performances must close by this date
Early May 2026
Applicants informed on if they are finalists in the following awards - Outstanding Actor/Actress, Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Ensemble and Stagecraft Award
May 26 thru 29*
Kellis Week and Kelli O'Hara Awards
*Students participating as a finalist, Kellis ensemble, Stagecraft nominee or Student Reporter are required to be available these dates
June 12 thru 23**
Jimmy's Week and The Jimmy Awards
**Students competing at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards in NYC must be available these dates
Rules, regulations and timelines subject to change at any time. KOHA staff will do their best to notify of any important changes as they occur.
The Kelli O'Hara Awards are a presentation of OKC Broadway and Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma.
The Awards are Sponsored by Paycom.