The KPA Bradley Awards

The KPA Bradley Awards believes every young artist has value and potential, and every participating student and educator should contribute to an environment that is empowering, educational, exciting, and welcoming to all. While there is a competitive element to any awards ceremony, all participants should be treated with dignity and respect, and in turn should treat others with dignity and respect. The Bradley Awards seeks to build community amongst our region’s high school theatre programs, all of which are worthy of celebration for the value they bring to our youth and our communities. 

Public and private high schools in all Kentucky counties and in the following Indiana counties: Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Scott, and Washington. Only students enrolled in 9th through 12th grade at participating high schools during the time of their production are eligible to be considered for individual awards (i.e. Best Actor/Best Actress). Theatre programs of all budget sizes are encouraged to consider participation; The KPA Bradley Awards will seek to meet schools “where they are” and celebrate their achievements in context of their resources. Private studios, community theaters, etc., that do not serve as a high school are not eligible to participate.

• School's must produce a full-length musical that fits the NHSMTA®'s definition of an "Approved Musical." Carefully review the content of this page (clicking link will open new window) for more information about approved musicals, including the hyperlinks listed at the bottom of the page. 
• All school's must attain proper production and musical rights from the appropriate licensing firm (Concord Theatricals, MTI, TRW, etc.,) to participate in The KPA Bradley Awards/Jimmy Awards®.
• Productions must take place between Thursday, October 29, 2026 - Sunday, April 25, 2027.
• There must be more than one performance of the production.
• Participating schools may not participate in another NHSMTA® Regional Awards Program. 
• Participating schools are required to pay a participation fee of $150.
• Participating schools are required to nominate two (2) primary and two (2) alternate nominees to the Showcase Ensemble. The two (2) students recognized as members of the final Showcase Ensemble will represent their school by performing in the opening and closing medleys at the awards ceremony.
• ALL participating schools must attend the awards ceremony on Sunday, May 30, 2027, to celebrate and support all nominees, winners, and performers (Showcase Ensemble, Leading Role nominees, and nominated casts for Best Overall Musical Production).
• There is a 25-ticket minimum purchase requirement to attend the awards ceremony for all schools participating in The KPA Bradley Awards.
• All primary contacts for each participating school must complete a post-program evaluation on behalf of their school. 

The 2027 KPA Bradley Awards School Participant Handbook will be available soon. In the meantime, please review the 2025-2026 KPA Bradley Awards School Participant Handbook (CLICK HERE to open in a new window) for all information pertaining to our most recent program as you prepare for the application process. Once you have reviewed all of the previously referenced materials above, please submit your completed application at the link below. 

(Click the link below to open the application in a new window)

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR THE 2027 KPA BRADLEY AWARDS

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY 11:59 PM ET ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2026. 

Monday, August 3, 2026: School Participation Application Opens

Friday, August 28, 2026: School Participation Application DUE by 11:59 PM ET.

Tuesday, September 15, 2026: All schools that have applied to participate will be notified whether they are formally invited to participate in The 2027 KPA Bradley Awards by this date.

Friday, September 18, 2026: All schools invited to participate must confirm their acceptance with KPA by this date.

Friday, September 25, 2026: Public announcement of Participating Schools for The 2027 KPA Bradley Awards.

Monday, September 28, 2026 & Tuesday, September 29, 2026: | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM ET | Participating Schools Orientation on ZOOM (for productions with rehearsals beginning prior to February 1, 2027.) School representative must attend one of these two dates, attendance is required and make-up options will not be available.

Thursday, October 29, 2026 - Sunday, April 25, 2027: Adjudication of musicals produced by participating schools.

Monday, November 30, 2026 & Tuesday, December 1, 2026: | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM ET | Participating Schools Orientation on ZOOM (for productions with rehearsals beginning on or after February 1, 2027.) School representative must attend one of these two dates, attendance is required and make-up options will not be available.

Friday, December 11, 2026: Participation fee of $150 DUE

Monday, January 5, 2027: (Optional) Town Hall for Participating School Educators on ZOOM | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM ET |

Friday, January 15, 2027: Student Reporter Recognition Applications DUE

Friday, April 16, 2027: Panel-Reviewed Awards Nominations DUE (Outstanding Arts Mentor, Behind the Scenes Excellence, Outstanding Student Designer, and Outstanding Community Engagement).

Early May 2027: Final Nominations Announcement / Participating Schools Ticketing Pre-Sale begins

Mid-May 2027: Tickets on sale to the public

Friday, May 21, 2027: All participation forms & waivers due from all 2027 performers and nominees.

Friday, May 28, 2027: 2027 KPA Bradley Awards Rehearsal Day #1

• 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM ET | Leading Role Nominees
• 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM ET | some nominated casts for Best Overall Musical Production

Saturday, May 29, 2027: 2027 KPA Bradley Awards Rehearsal Day #2

• 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM ET | Leading Role Nominees & Showcase Ensemble
• 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM ET | some nominated casts for Best Overall Musical Production

Sunday, May 30, 2027: 2027 KPA Bradley Awards Final Rehearsal & Ceremony in Louisville, KY.

• 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM ET | Leading Role Nominees & Showcase Ensemble
• 3:30 PM ET | Red Carpet Experience opens
• 4:30 PM ET | Call-time for all Opening Medley performers (Leading Role Nominees & Showcase Ensemble)
• 5:00 PM ET | 2027 KPA Bradley Awards Ceremony Begins (estimated runtime 2.5 hours)

Monday, May 31, 2027: Louisville Media Day/Press Tour for the Best Actor/Actress in a Leading Role Winners from the 2027 KPA Bradley Awards. (Approximately 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET).

First week of June 2027: Mandatory ZOOM meeting with Jimmy Awards and KPA Bradley Awards admin teams for The 2027 KPA Bradley Awards Best Actor/Actress Winners (Approximately 2 hours, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM ET).

Mid-June 2027: The winners in the Best Actor and Best Actress categories leave for NYC to participate in Jimmys weeks as part of The Jimmy Awards in New York City.

Late June 2027: The 18th Annual Jimmy Awards in New York City!

The KPA Bradley Awards send a team of three adjudicators to each participating high school to view a performance of their musical. Adjudicators for The KPA Bradley Awards are qualified performing arts educators, professionals, and experts from throughout the awards region. In addition to considering the production, cast, and crew for awards distributed at The KPA Bradley Awards final ceremony in May 2027, the adjudicators provide constructive feedback to educators and students with a goal of celebrating their achievements and supporting students’ continued artistic growth. 

All participating schools attend The KPA Bradley Awards final ceremony in Louisville, KY. Some schools are selected to perform an ensemble piece from their musical during the ceremony. 

Based on feedback from adjudicators, schools and students are nominated in various categories (similar to the Tony Awards®). Winners are announced for each category during the ceremony. Categories for The KPA Bradley Awards include:

• Behind The Scenes Excellence 

• Outstanding Community Engagement (i.e. fundraising for charity, raising awareness of an important issue, etc.)  

• Outstanding Student Designer 

• Outstanding Arts Mentor 

• Outstanding Technical Execution 

• Outstanding Dance Execution 

• Outstanding Ensemble Performance  

• Best Actor in a Supporting Role* 

• Best Actress in a Supporting Role* 

• Best Actor in a Leading Role* 

• Best Actress in a Leading Role* 

• Best Overall Musical Production 
  

*Students are adjudicated in the category corresponding to their gender identification, not the gender of the role that they play. 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 play. 

The winners in the Best Actor/Actress in a Leading Role categories receive an all-expenses paid trip to New York City to participate in the national Jimmy Awards (which includes a week of masterclasses, as well as the awards ceremony where they will be considered alongside other young artists from across the country). 

APPLY TO BECOME AN ADJUDICATOR

The KPA Bradley Awards is seeking qualified individuals with a background in theatre performance/education to serve as adjudicators for the 2027 KPA Bradley Awards. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, however, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by the priority consideration deadline of Monday, August 3, 2026. To apply, please click the link below to open the application on JotForm in a new window.

LINK: 2027 KPA Bradley Awards Adjudicator Application

STUDENT REPORTER RECOGNITION

The KPA Bradley Awards is looking for up to two students with an expressed interest in arts journalism/marketing, advertising, and/or social media content creation, to contribute as Student Reporters for The KPA Bradley Awards. Students will nominate themselves for this category and the two Student Reporters will be selected by an application review panel. Multiple students from the same school may apply.

Eligibility Requirements

• Interested students must be currently enrolled in grades 9-12 within our program's region which consists of all Kentucky counties and the following Indiana counties: Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Scott, and Washington. 
• PLEASE NOTE: Only students enrolled in a high school participating in the 2027 KPA Bradley Awards will be eligible to be nominated to The Jimmy Awards® Student Reporter Program. 

The applicants recognized as KPA Bradley Awards Student Reporters will:

• Receive recognition during The KPA Bradley Awards Ceremony.
• Collaborate with KPA’s Marketing team to promote The KPA Bradley Awards and curate the awards’ social media content around The KPA Bradley Awards.
• Serve as red carpet hosts for the awards ceremony, interviewing nominees and hosting a pre-show livestream on social media.
• As desired, participate in informational interviews and college/career coaching with KPA Administrative Staff.
• Be nominated by The KPA Bradley Awards for participation in The Jimmy Awards® Student Reporter Program*, which includes an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to cover The Jimmy Awards®. *only students enrolled in a high school participating in the 2027 KPA Bradley Awards will be eligible to be nominated to The Jimmy Awards® Student Reporter Program. To learn more about The Jimmy Awards® Student Reporter program, visit: https://www.jimmyawards.com/participation/student-reporter-search/ 

Applications are closed at this time.

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Jack Nelson as Curly
McCracken County High School, Paducah, KY - OKLAHOMA! 

Best Actress in a Leading Role

McKinley Harper as Penelope Pennywise
George Rogers Clark High School, Winchester, KY - URINETOWN 

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Emmett Rathgeber as Ali Hakim
McCracken County High School, Paducah, KY - OKLAHOMA!

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Clara Pierce as Aunt Eller 
McCracken County High School, Paducah, KY - OKLAHOMA!

Best Overall Musical Production-Sponsored by Michael E. Berry

McCracken County High School, Paducah, KY - OKLAHOMA!  

Outstanding Dance Execution-Sponsored by Caesars Foundation of Floyd County

McCracken County High School, Paducah, KY - OKLAHOMA!

Outstanding Student Designer-Sponsored by Think Tank Marketing

Ryan Chapman, Scenic Design
Assumption High School, Louisville, KY – ANASTASIA

Outstanding Ensemble Performance-Sponsored by Frank and Paula Harshaw

McCracken County High School, Paducah, KY - OKLAHOMA! 

Outstanding Technical Execution

McCracken County High School, Paducah, KY - OKLAHOMA!

Outstanding Community Engagement

Mercer County Senior High School, Harrodsburg, KY - THE WIZARD OF OZ 

Outstanding Arts Mentor-Sponsored by Bruce Merrick and Karen McCoy

Jay Schwandt 
Youth Performing Arts School, Louisville, KY – CINDERELLA

Behind the Scenes Excellence - Sponsored by Bradley Broecker

Bryan Station High School, Lexington, KY - SWEENEY TODD: SCHOOL EDITION 
Sophie Stokley / Stage Manager
Sydney Jeffries / Costume, Graphic & Scenic Design
Sofia Martinez / Asst. Student Directing
Daniel Amaral / Asst. Student Directing
Taylor Glass / Makeup & Hair

The KPA Bradley Awards selected two student reporters to provide coverage of this year’s program and host the red carpet experience livestream, sponsored by Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), before the awards ceremony.  Both students were submitted for consideration to serve as The Jimmy Awards® Student Reporters as well.  

The 2026 KPA Bradley Awards Student Reporters 

Audrey Harris from Sacred Heart Academy in Louisville, KY
Colby Pennington from Floyd Central High School in Floyds Knobs, IN

Please monitor our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected].