Star Award Nominations
MILLBURN, NJ – April 29, 2025 – Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee, Producing Artistic Director; Michael Stotts, Executive Director), recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award, proudly announces the nominations for the 30th Annual Rising Star Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater.
Since its launch in 1996, the Rising Star Awards have helped launch the careers of many acclaimed performers who began in New Jersey high schools. Notable alumni include Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway (Les Misérables), Tony Award winners Laura Benanti (Gypsy) and Nikki M. James (The Book of Mormon, Suffs), Tony nominee Rob McClure, Olivier nominee Jared Gertner, and 2025 Tony nominee Julia Knitel (Dead Outlaw), among others.
Ceremony Scheduled for June 3
The 2025 Rising Star Awards Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, June 3 at Paper Mill Playhouse’s historic theater in Millburn. Modeled after the Tony Awards, the event recognizes outstanding achievement in all areas of high school musical theater, including performance, direction, design, and technical production.
Statewide Participation and Live Performances
This year’s competition featured musicals from 138 high schools across 20 New Jersey counties. Over 60 independent evaluators assessed each production, and every school received three unique evaluations during the 12-week adjudication period from January 23 through April 13.
Schools nominated for Outstanding Overall Musical and all nominees for Leading Performer will perform live at the June 3 ceremony. Winners will receive engraved crystal awards from MTM Recognition.
Scholarships and Special Awards
Paper Mill Playhouse will award $7,000 in scholarships to graduating students planning to pursue theater performance or technical theater in college. Additional awards include:
Educational Impact Award ($500): Presented to a school that integrates its musical into the broader curriculum and uses it as a teaching tool.
Theater for Everyone Inclusion and Access Award ($1,000): Recognizes a school demonstrating inclusive practices for students and audiences with disabilities.
Outstanding Educator Award ($1,000): Awarded to a distinguished teacher, with the prize benefiting the school’s theater program.
Additional Student Achievement Awards will be given in design, direction, and technical theater categories.
Summer Conservatory and New Voices Concert
Final nominees in leading and supporting acting categories receive scholarships to attend the Paper Mill Playhouse Summer Musical Theater Conservatory. This professional training program includes advanced classes in acting, singing, and dance. It culminates in the annual New Voices concert, New Voices of 2025: Groundbreakers, held on August 1 and 2. The concert celebrates the musicals that shaped and redefined the American musical theater. Tickets are available at PaperMill.org.
Sponsors and Supporters
The Rising Star Awards are presented by Investors Foundation and Citizens Philanthropic Foundation, with additional support from:
The Michael J. Kosloski Foundation
The Hearst Foundations (Education & Outreach Partner)
Ruth Bedford, in memory of Jane Burgio
The Mosser Family, in memory of James K. Mosser
Walt Santner, in honor of Janet Sovey
Douglas Michael Krueger Scholarship Fund
New Jersey Cultural Access Network (a project of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts)
View Nominations and More Information
To see the full list of 2025 Rising Star nominees and purchase tickets for the ceremony or New Voices concert, visit PaperMill.org.
Information Sourced from Tap Into Morristown – https://www.tapinto.net/towns/morristown/sections/arts-and-entertainment/articles/paper-mill-playhouse-announces-nominations-for-the-2025-rising-star-awards-2
