The Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater, named after the actor/director Gene Kelly, are given out yearly by Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. The award was founded in 1991 and celebrates excellence in the musicals of the Pittsburgh area's high schools. Technical/design awards and group awards including Outstanding Musical are awarded in four levels based on production budget. The organization also offers scholarships to high school seniors involved in any aspect of their school's production. As of 2025, there are 34 participating schools. In 2009, the Gene Kelly Awards spawned the National High School Musical Theater Awards, nicknamed "The Jimmys", which Pittsburgh CLO co-produces with Nederlander Presentations. The Awards were cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Awards in 2021 were limited to individual awards only.
Categories
- Outstanding Actor
- Outstanding Actress
- Outstanding Supporting Actor
- Outstanding Supporting Actress
- Outstanding Student Artist - Individual or Group
- Outstanding Student Orchestra
- Outstanding Vocal Ensemble*
- Outstanding Dance Ensemble*
- Outstanding Crew/Technical Execution*
- Outstanding Scenic Design*
- Outstanding Costume Design*
- Outstanding Lighting Design*
- Outstanding Musical*
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Awards given in four budget categories
Participating schools
Former participants
Nominees and winners
2025 nominees and winners
2024 nominees and winners
2023 nominees and winners
2022 nominees and winners
2021 nominees and winners
2019 nominees and winners
2018 nominees and winners
2017 nominees and winners
2016 nominees and winners
2015 nominees and winners
2014 nominees and winners
2013 nominees and winners
2012 nominees and winners
2011 nominees and winners
2010 nominees and winners
2009 nominees and winners
2008 nominees and winners
2007 nominees and winners
The award winners from each category are bolded.
2006 nominees and winners
The award winners from each category are bolded.
2005 nominees and winners
2004 nominees and winners
2003 nominees and winners
2002 nominees and winners
2001 nominees and winners
2000 nominees and winners
1999 nominees and winners
1998 nominees and winners
1997 nominees and winners
1996 nominees and winners
1995 nominees and winners
1994 nominees and winners
1993 nominees and winners
1992 nominees and winners
1991 nominees and winners
References
External links