The Dazzle Awards presented by Pat and John Chapman and supported by PNC is celebrating its dazzling 10th anniversary at Playhouse Square!
In honor of this milestone, we’re sharing ten fun facts about the program and its impact in our community.
18,895 – The number of Northeast Ohio students who have participated in the Dazzle Awards since its inception
The Dazzle Awards, presented by Pat & John Chapman and supported by PNC, inspire and honor excellence in high school musical theater and recognize the importance of musical theater and arts education within the Northeast Ohio community. We’re proud to share that 18,895 Northeast Ohio high school students have been a part of this program over the past ten years!
57 – The number of different high schools in Northeast Ohio that have gone through the program over the past 10 years
Since the launch of the program in 2015, 57 Northeast Ohio high schools across seven counties have participated in the Dazzle Awards.
87 – The number of master classes with industry professionals that have been offered to Dazzle Awards students
The Dazzle Awards is a yearlong program that offers arts education opportunities for Northeast Ohio students. Participants have the chance to learn from the theater industry’s top professionals at master classes throughout the school year. More than 1,990 students have attended these special events, and the most popular classes over the past 10 years include vocal classes with cast members from Rent, Les Miserables and Hamilton and dance classes with Hello Dolly! and Mean Girls.
38 – The number of audition workshops that have been hosted
For roles that qualify for the Best Actor and Best Actress categories, eligible performers are strongly encouraged to attend one audition workshop preparing them for their Dazzle Awards audition and potential Jimmy Awards audition. The workshops focus on picking strong audition cuts, developing vocal technique, building a dynamic audition book, breaking down the text and learning a dance call. Eligible performers participate in several classes led by local teaching artists and accompanists, who work with each performer individually to develop their technique and prepare them for future auditions.
64 – The number of students who have been selected as Musical Apprentices, Technical Apprentices and Student Reporters
In addition to on stage learning opportunities, the Dazzle Awards also offers educational options for those who wish to pursue interests that are offstage. Students can apply to be a Dazzle Awards Student Reporter, Technical Apprentice or Musical Apprentice. Through these programs, students can learn from the best in the business including the Dazzle Awards director/choreographer, music director, musicians, stage managers, lighting and sound designers and local reporters. Since each program began, 44 Student Reporters, 10 Technical Apprentices and 10 Musical Apprentices have gone through their respective tracks.
278 - The number of productions that have been adjudicated since the first year of the Dazzle Awards
Each year, a curated panel of independent adjudicators attends one production at each participating Dazzle Awards school and provides educational feedback and scores to determine nominations and awards. Our adjudicators have extensive experience in one of the arts disciplines as arts educators, professionals or performers.
16 – The number of times The Addams Family has been performed by Dazzle Awards schools throughout the past ten years
Our Dazzle Awards schools have performed 105 different show titles since the program’s launch, with the most performed show being The Addams Family. Other top produced shows include Disney's The Little Mermaid, Footloose, Legally Blonde The Musical and Mamma Mia!
2022 – The year the original song – “A Chance to Shine” – debuted at The Dazzle Awards
For the live, in-person return of the Dazzle Awards Ceremony in 2022, students debuted an original song written just for the event: "A Chance to Shine" with music and lyrics by Dazzle Awards Music Director Joel Mercier. Now, the song is a permanent part of the annual awards ceremony!
13 – The number of categories recognized at this year’s Dazzle Awards ceremony
At the Dazzle Awards ceremony, the hard work of participating students and schools is recognized in 13 categories including, Best Student Orchestra, Best Technical Execution, Best Costume Design, Best Scenic Design, Best Choreography Execution, Best Ensemble/Chorus, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Musical – Tier 1 and Best Musical Tier 2. One student is also recognized with the “Spirit of the Dazzle Awards,” which goes to the individual who most embodies camaraderie, passion and an infectiously positive attitude throughout rehearsal week as identified by the Dazzle Awards Creative Team.
2 – The number of Dazzle Awards participants that represent Northeast Ohio every year at the Jimmy Awards
The Playhouse Square Dazzle Awards Best Actor and Best Actress winners represent Northeast Ohio at The Jimmy Awards at the Minskoff Theatre in New York in June. Each year the Jimmy Awards invites students from around the nation to participate in workshops and performances that culminate into a full-scale Broadway production modeled after the Tony Awards.
For more information on the Dazzle Awards program, please visit playhousesquare.org/dazzleawards.