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 our most recent program as you prepare for the application process. Once the link below goes live on August 3, 2026; be sure to submit you completed application by Friday, August 28, 2026 by 11:59p.m. EST.

(APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2027 KPA BRADLEY AWARDS PROGRAM WILL OPEN SOON!)

APPLICATIONS OPEN: MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2026

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). 

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 2026-2027 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 2026-2027 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.

Monday, August 3, 2026: School Participation Application Opens

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

Thursday, October 29, 2026 - Sunday, April 26, 2027: Adjudication of musicals produced by participating schools.

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

Mid-May 2027: Tickets on sale to the public / All participation forms & waivers due from all 2027 performers and nominees.

Friday, May 28, 2027: KPA Bradley Awards Rehearsal Day #1: Leading Role Nominees and some schools nominated for Best Overall Musical Production.

Saturday, May 29, 2027: KPA Bradley Awards Rehearsal Day #2: Leading Role Nominees & Showcase Ensemble, and some schools nominated for Best Overall Musical Production.

Sunday, May 30, 2027: 2027 KPA Bradley Awards Ceremony Dress Rehearsal and The 2027 KPA Bradley Awards ceremony in Louisville, KY. Featuring performances by schools nominated for Best Overall Production, and each nominee for Best Actor/Actress in a Leading Role. Award winners in all categories announced. Red Carpet experience begins at 3:30PM ET and the Awards Ceremony begins at 5:00 PM ET.

Monday, May 31, 2027: Louisville Media Day/Press Tour for the Best Actor/Actress in a Leading Role Winnersfrom the 2027 KPA Bradley Awards

First week of June 2027: Mandatory ZOOM meeting with Jimmy Awards admin team for the 2027 KPA Bradley Awards Winners for Best Actor and Best Actress in a Leading Role

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 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 and Instagram for updates.

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