The Diamond Awards

Diamond Award Categories

• Best Lead Actor 
• Best Lead Actress 
• Best Supporting Performers
• Best Ensemble Performance
• Spirit of the Diamonds
• Outstanding Performance Recognition in Vocals, Acting, and/or Dance
• Sparkle Award for Outstanding Educator
• Student Reporter (eligible for the Jimmy Awards student reporter- separate registration required by the student)

All awards will be given during the Diamond Awards show, May 23, 2026.

Elligibility:

The Diamond Awards is open to all high schools producing a qualifying musical in Arkansas, as defined by the National High School Musical Theatre Awards. The full list of qualifying shows and roles can be found on The Jimmy Awards website. It is recommended that high schools be within a 2.5 hour driving distance from Walton Arts Center. Each high school may only participate in one Regional Awards Program. 

View full Diamond Award program details on https://waltonartscenter.org/edu/diamond-awards/ 

Timeline:

• October 1: Deadline to submit registration
• November 1 – April 24: School Productions must occur during this time to be adjudicated
• April 27: Finalists are announced
• May 2 OR 9 TBD: Movement & Panel Audition for Leads
• May 21-23, 2026: Rehearsals for Diamond Awards show
• May 23, 2026: Diamond Awards show
• June 22: The Jimmy Awards

Teacher/Director Information- This is the primary contact person

Performance Information

Photo/Video Release

Rules and Guidelines

• The Diamond Awards is open to all high schools producing a qualifying musical in Arkansas, as defined by the National High School Musical Theatre Awards.
• It is recommended, but not required, that high schools be within a 2.5 hour driving distance from Walton Arts Center.
• Each high school may only participate in one Regional Awards Program.
• Each high school may only submit one application for one production per school year.
• Use of vocal tracks or “sweetener tracks” during the submitted musical is not permitted, as it does not allow for accurate or fair adjudication. Only instrumental tracks/recordings may be used in performances.
• Per the NHSMTA program, students are adjudicated in the category corresponding to their gender identification, not the gender of the role that they played. Students identifying as non-binary or gender-fluid may choose to either select the category in which they wish to be adjudicated (regardless of the gender of the role) OR they may be adjudicated based on the gender of the role they played. All casting or script change requests for performances in the NHSMTA program must be approved beforehand.
• ALL student finalists and nominees must fall into one of these categories:
  • They must be enrolled at the participating high school presenting the musical.
  • They are cast in a show at a single-gender school who engages students of different genders to fulfill casting requirements.
  • They are a homeschooled student cast in a participating school’s show.
    
    
    
• Best Actor & Best Actress Finalists:
  • To be eligible for Best Actor and Best Actress at the Diamond Awards and compete at the NHSMTA, students must perform a role considered a qualifying role in an approved musical by the NHSMTA.
  • The full list and guidelines can be found on the National Awards website.
  • Finalists must be a current high school student, grades 9 through 12.
  • A finalist may participate in one (1) Regional Awards Program only.
  • All students performing qualifying roles in an approved musical may be adjudicated. Teachers will not be asked to nominate individual students for awards. Best Actor and Best Actress finalists will be chosen by the adjudicators that attend the performances
•  Best Supporting Performers and Ensemble Performers must be enrolled at the participating high school, presenting the musical to be elligible for awards. These regional awards are chosen at the discretion of the adjudicators.

Teacher/Director Responsibilities:

• Act as the primary liaison between Walton Arts Center’s Diamond Awards and the school.
• Attend an Information Session- Thursday, September 4, 2025, 7:30am OR 4:30pm.
• Provide high quality photographs of your production to Walton Arts Center for use during and for promotion of the Diamond Awards.
• Provide full cast list with student names.
• Retain sheet music from your production through June, 2026, and submit sheet music for students who are finalists in the Diamond Awards, and sheet music or a recorded track for the Ensemble Performance Award recipient.
• Distribute information and updates regarding the Diamond Awards to the students and school community.
• Respond to correspondence from Walton Arts Center in a timely manner.
• Assist in preparing students selected to perform in the awards show.
• Display participation in the Diamond Awards by including provided program logo and information in the playbill for the high school musical.

Submitting this form signifies your agreement to participate in the Diamond Awards program.

A Walton Arts Center staff member will email details regarding your school's participation. Responsive and active communication is essential to this process.

• All submissions are subject to consideration by the Diamond Awards. 
• Additional information will be requested for students to be adjudicated. 
• Two info sessions will be held for Teachers/Directors on September 4: 7am and 4:30pm.
• If you have questions, please email diamondawards@waltonartscenter.org