Kentucky Students Will Compete for 2027 Bradley Awards
Thirty-two regional schools will participate in the musical theatre program to earn a spot at the Jimmy Awards.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Secondary Education
Live Poll
In your area, do competitive high school theater programs provide meaningful benefits for student development?
Kentucky Performing Arts has announced the 32 high schools selected for the 2027 Bradley Awards program. This initiative honors excellence in secondary musical theatre and provides a pathway for students to reach the national stage.
Why it matters
The program helps launch youth performers to national opportunities and builds community across school theatre departments. It allows students to gain professional-level experience and receive feedback from industry-standard adjudicators.
The 2027 program features 32 participating schools across 22 counties in Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Each school's production is evaluated by a team of three adjudicators.
The players
Kentucky Performing Arts
An organization that manages the region's performing arts venues and promotes theatre education programs.
The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts
A major arts institution in Louisville that hosts large-scale performances and the annual awards ceremony.
The details
The Bradley Awards are modeled after the Tony Awards to celebrate local high school musical theatre. A panel of three adjudicators travels to each participating school to view their production and provide scores. Following the regional ceremony held at The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, two students will be chosen to represent the area at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, also known as the Jimmy Awards.
Timeline
The 2027 Bradley Awards program cycle is currently underway.
The Home Front
The Bradley Awards follow a national trend of formalizing high school theatre participation through regional feeder programs. This structure mirrors the pathway established by the National High School Musical Theatre Awards for identifying emerging talent.
If you have a student participating in a school production this year, check with your drama department to see if your school is part of the 32-member cohort. Families should prepare to support students if they advance to the regional ceremony or the 10-day coaching program in New York City.
The takeaway
The Bradley Awards provide students with an opportunity to perform on a prestigious stage and receive professional evaluation. Families can check their school's theatre department schedule to see when adjudicators will visit their home district for a performance review.
Further reading
Learn more about local academic and extracurricular initiatives in Secondary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Broadway World.
Live Poll
In your area, do competitive high school theater programs provide meaningful benefits for student development?
