The Providence Performing Arts Center is pleased to announce that high schools in the state of Rhode Island and within a 20-mile radius of the Performing Arts Center into Massachusetts are invited to participate in the 4th annual Ocean State Star Awards during our 2025-26 season!

The Ocean State Star Awards is part of the Providence Performing Arts Center’s Education initiative which recognizes, honors, and encourages excellence in all aspects of musical theatre performance and production among area high school students.

Musicals of participating schools are reviewed by a panel of educators, theatre experts, and industry professionals. Based on tabulations, productions and individuals receive awards in specific categories at a ceremony that will be held each year at the Providence Performing Arts Center in the late Spring. Our panel of judges will select one male and one female Ocean State Star Awards winner to represent the state of Rhode Island in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards® competition held in New York City at the end of June.

Purpose

The Ocean State Star Awards program is designed to celebrate, support, and advocate for high school musical theatre education throughout Rhode Island. The program celebrates high school musicals, students, and teachers by formally recognizing the extraordinary achievements of our state’s high school productions. The Providence Performing Arts Center supports participating high schools by providing high-quality learning, performing, and creative experiences for students.

Goals

1. To recognize, honor, and encourage excellence in high school students’ musical theatre performances through a constructive review process. 
2. To provide additional opportunities to high school students through the touring Broadway shows that come through our venue.
3. To provide professional development and networking opportunities for students, directors, and school programs.
4. To further develop audiences for the Providence Performing Arts Center

For more information, please refer to the Ocean State Star Awards Handbook, which outlines the program in detail. Click to view and/or download any of the following OSSA documents.

Handbook   Contract   Application   Production Application

Participation Scholarship Application   Community Engagement Application