The KPA Bradley Awards

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 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.

Please review the KPA Bradley Awards - Participating Schools Handbook 2025-2026 for all information pertaining to this year's program prior to submitting your application. Once you feel prepared, please visit the link below to complete and submit your application. 

(APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2025-2026 PROGRAM HAVE CLOSED)

APPLICATIONS DUE: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 @ 11:59 P.M. ET 

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 2026, 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). 

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 2025-2026 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 2025-2026 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.

Monday, August 4, 2025: School Participation Application Opens

Monday, September 15, 2025: School Participation Application DUE by 11:59p.m. ET.

Friday, September 26, 2025: All schools that have applied will be notified whether they are formally invited to participate in The 2025-2026 KPA Bradley Awards.

Tuesday, October 7, 2025 & Thursday, October 9, 2025: First two (of four) virtual orientations offered for school representatives. (Attendance to one of the four orientations is required).

Friday, October 10, 2025: Public Announcement of 2025-2026 Participating Schools

Monday, October 13, 2025: Nomination Forms released for: Outstanding Arts Mentor, Outstanding Student Designer, Behind the Scenes Excellence, Outstanding Community Engagement, and Student Reporter Recognition categories. 

Thursday, October 30, 2025 - April 26, 2026: Adjudication of musicals.

Tuesday, January 6, 2026 & Thursday, January 8, 2026: The final two (of four) virtual orientations offered for school representatives. (Attendance to one of the four orientations is required).

Friday, January 30, 2026: Student Reporter Recognition Applications Due

Friday, February 13, 2026: $150 Participation Fee Due

By Friday, April 3, 2026: Showcase Ensemble Nominations Due

Sunday, April 12, 2026: ZOOM Meeting for Showcase Ensemble (Primary Nominees) from 4:00PM - 5:00 PM ET

Sunday, April 19, 2026: Leading Role Preference Form Due

By Thursday, April 23, 2026: Nominations Due: Outstanding Arts Mentor, Outstanding Student Designer, Behind the Scenes Excellence, and Outstanding Community Engagement.

First week of May 2026: Nominees announced for each category in The KPA Bradley Awards followed by Participating School ticketing pre-sale.

Monday, May 11, 2026: ZOOM Meeting for Showcase Ensemble from 7:00PM - 8:00PM ET

Mid May 2026: Tickets on sale to the public.

Friday, May 15, 2026: All participation forms due for Showcase Ensemble members and all 2026 KPA Bradley Awards Nominees

Sunday, May 24, 2026: ZOOM Meeting #3 for Showcase Ensemble members from 7:00PM - 8:00 PM ET

Friday, May 29, 2026: KPA Bradley Awards Rehearsal Day #1 (Leading Role Nominees and some schools nominated for Best Overall Musical Production).

Saturday, May 30, 2026: KPA Bradley Awards Rehearsal Day #2 (Leading Role Nominees, Showcase Ensemble, and some schools nominated for Best Overall Musical Production)

Sunday, May 31, 2026: 2026 KPA Bradley Awards Dress Rehearsal  & The 2026 KPA Bradley Awards ceremony at the Brown Theatre in Louisville, KY. Featuring performances by schools nominated for Best Overall Production, and each nominee for Best Actor/Actress. Award winners in all categories announced. Red Carpet experience begins at 3:30PM ET and the Awards Ceremony begins at 5:00 PM ET.

Wednesday, June 3, 2026: Mandatory ZOOM meeting with Jimmy Awards admin team from 7:00PM - 8:00 PM ET for the 2026 KPA Bradley Awards Winners for Best Actor and Best Actress in a Leading Role

Friday, June 12, 2026: 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.

Monday, June 22, 2026: The 17th Annual Jimmy Awards at the Minskoff Theatre in New York City! (Awards Ceremony begins at 7:30PM ET (link for livestream will be posted here!)

Tuesday, June 23, 2026: The 2026 KPA Bradley Awards Best Actor and Best Actress nominees depart NYC to return home.

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. 

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

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