Gilmour Academy Joins Playhouse Square Dazzle Awards Program

Gilmour Academy, located in Gates Mills, Ohio, has announced its participation in the upcoming Playhouse Square Dazzle Awards program. This initiative, which has been celebrating the importance of musical theater and arts education in Northeast Ohio high schools for the past ten years, aims to recognize outstanding talent in the region.

Dazzle Awards Overview

The Dazzle Awards, presented by Pat and John Chapman, culminate in a ceremony scheduled for May 16, 2026. The program offers various arts education opportunities throughout the academic year and is designed to honor exceptional musical theater productions and students across 15 categories. Categories include Best Musical, Best Actor/Actress, Best Student Orchestra, and Best Student Technical Execution.

Nominations and winners are determined by an independent panel of adjudicators, ensuring a fair evaluation process. Since its inception, the Dazzle Awards program has positively impacted approximately 18,000 students from 57 schools across the region. It is also affiliated with the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, known as “The Jimmy Awards,” organized by The Broadway League Foundation. Winners in the Best Actor and Actress categories will represent Northeast Ohio at The Jimmy Awards during the summer.

Impact on Gilmour Academy

Lucas Clark, the Fine and Performing Arts Program Coordinator at Gilmour Academy, expressed the significance of the school’s involvement in the Dazzle Awards. In a statement, he noted, “Not only does our participation in the Dazzle Awards allow us to showcase our students’ talents to a wider local audience, but it also opens the door to boundless educational opportunities offered through Playhouse Square.”

Gilmour Academy’s Performing Arts program engages students from all divisions. Young children begin their journey with Music & Movement classes, while Lower School students in grades K-6 participate in Christmas and spring concerts, receive formal vocal instruction, and have the chance to perform in Upper School drama productions. Sixth-grade students are also part of the Middle School band, with all Middle School students actively involved—either on stage or behind the scenes—in the annual spring musical.

Upper School students have access to a variety of electives, including Pops Ensemble, music theatre workshop, play directing and production, set design, and scene painting. The Drama Club stages productions each fall and spring, with this year’s fall performance featuring “Hairspray”. The shows are scheduled for 7 p.m. on November 21 and 22, and 2 p.m. on November 23, in The Lorraine and Bill Dodero Center for Performing Arts, a modern facility on Gilmour’s campus.

For additional information about the Playhouse Square Dazzle Awards, interested individuals can visit playhousesquare.org/dazzleawards.