NJ High School AXE AWARDS
- Elyse Hudacsko
- Jan 10, 2022
- 2 min read
Please ONLY VOTE ONCE – duplicate votes will be omitted!
Tony Winner
LAURA BENANTI
Cheers on NJ High Schoolers
"As a Jersey girl, I want to wish all the best to the entrants of the NJ High School AXE Awards! Jersey strong!"
2020 will be a year no one soon forgets! The Tony Awards postponed. The Oscars in limbo. The Drama Desk Awards ceremony moved online, and let's not forget all those high school seniors whose senior year musicals were AXEd by COVID-19.
Enter the NJ High School AXE AWARDS, sponsored by the Axelrod Performing Arts Center, in conjunction with Cabaret for Life.
The NJ High School AXE AWARDS are an online video singing competition for high school seniors and underclassman, offering a prize of $1000 in four categories for seniors, plus $500 for the winning underclassman (male and female). The award money is being contributed by Cabaret for Life in memory of Amy Fredericks, a local musician, music director, and music teacher.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
• Any high school student in Monmouth, Ocean or Middlesex Counties.
• Any senior who was cast in a leading or supporting role in a 2020 high school musical – whether the show went up or not!
• Any underclassman (Freshman, Sophomore or Junior) who was cast in a leading, supporting or featured role in a 2020 High School Musical– as long as the character in the show has his own song.
WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES?
Best Actor in a Musical
Best Actress in a Musical
Best Supporting Actor in a Musical
Best Supporting Actress in a Musical
Best Non-Senior Actor in a Musical
Best Non-Senior Actress in a Musical
HOW ARE THE WINNERS DETERMINED?
All video submissions will be reviewed by a panel of theater professionals at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center. Up to five finalists will be selected in each category. The videos for all finalists will be posted on the Axelrod website as well as on social media. The online community will be able to vote for the best nominee in each category. The five winners will be announced and their scholarship money will be mailed to them directly. WHAT IS THE TIMELINE?
Finalists will be announced on Friday, May 15.
Online voting begins on Monday, May 18th and goes through Friday, May 29th.
The winners will be announced on SATURDAY, JUNE 6th!.
Cabaret for Life, Inc., is a NJ-based non-for-profit organization, established in 1995, that raises money through the production of musical theater and cabaret events to support local charities that offer life-sustaining services to people suffering from debilitating diseases, including HIV/AIDS, cancer, lupus, heart disease and others. Over its 25-year existence it has donated over a half million dollars to various charities including The Center in Asbury Park, K Hovnanian Children's Hospital, The Valerie Fund at Monmouth Medical Center, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and others. Many of the organization's volunteer performers have gone on to professional careers, including Melissa Rauch (The Big Bang Theory), Bistro Award winner Gabrielle Stravelli, Jared Gertner (The Book of Mormon), Kristin Piro (An American in Paris, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Tim Martin Gleason (Phantom of the Opera)and others.
"Congratulations to all the nominees and winners at the NJ High School AXE AWARDS! It's so inspiring to see young talent being recognized for their creativity, hard work, and dedication. Events like this really showcase the bright future of these students, whether it's in film, theater, or the arts. Wishing everyone continued success—and to all the parents and teachers behind the scenes, don't forget to take care of yourselves too! Between rehearsals, events, and all the prep, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Treat yourself to a little self-care, and maybe even let the pros handle the boring stuff—like sending those dress clothes and costumes to Dry Cleaning Ajax for a fresh, stress-free finish before the next big show!"
"Huge congratulations to all the nominees and winners at the NJ High School AXE AWARDS! It's so inspiring to see young talent being recognized for their hard work, creativity, and dedication. Events like these remind us how important it is to support and uplift our next generation of leaders. As they step into bright futures, it's equally important that they understand their rights and have proper guidance should they ever face challenges. For families and young adults navigating life's unexpected turns, having access to trusted Criminal Law Services & Lawyers can make all the difference in protecting their futures. Wishing everyone a successful year ahead—keep aiming high!"
It’s heartwarming to see local students get recognition for cut-short musicals through these AXE Awards, and cabnox would be a great spot to share their standout competition performances with more theater fans.
"Congrats to all the NJ High School AXE Awards winners! 🎭 It's so inspiring to see young talent celebrated like this—especially after everything students went through with shows getting canceled. Laura Benanti cheering everyone on makes it even more special! 🙌 Wishing all the finalists and winners the best as they pursue their theater dreams. And for anyone looking to celebrate in style, I've been browsing Pakistani lawn suits online for award season events—they're perfect for making a statement while staying comfortable! ✨"
Congrats to all the talented NJ high schoolers competing in the AXE Awards—so inspiring to see the arts thrive. While you're voting, you could also spin a yes or no wheel for fun decisions like which performance to watch next!