IDTA Musical Theatre Awards 2026

This event is sure to sell out, make sure you buy your tickets fast!

We return once again to Blackpool to showcase the greatest young talent the IDTA has to offer - catch the stars of tomorrow, today!

Musical Theatre Awards 2026

VENUE: Viva, Building 3, Church Street, Blackpool, FY1 1HJ

Date: Saturday 4th July 2026

Doors open for registration from 8:30 am

Musical Theatre Awards will start at 9:00 am

Certificates will be issued on the day to all candidates who participate in the final showcase and each category winner and runner up will be presented with a trophy. One entry will be selected by a Judge to be the overall winner and receive a cheque for the sum of £250.

Spectator tickets will be available for parents, guardians, and teachers to purchase through Eventbrite, near the time of the event. Each school is entitled to one free teacher wristband.

** This year, we are introducing a new sections for The Acting Awards! **

Format of Awards

The competition finals will be a showcase of the musical theatre performances nominated by IDTA examiners as a part of the examination process and selected by the Musical Theatre Faculty to take part in the finals. The showcase will include solo, duos/trios and group/team musical theatre performances from Introductory to Gold bar and above, Introductory Stage to Stage 8 and Performers Certificate.

All nominated candidates maintain the right to take part in the Awards irrespective of any professional or teaching qualifications.

Age Restrictions: maximum 21 years on the day of examination across all levels.

Where a nominated candidate is further nominated at a higher level, he/she loses his/her lower nomination and is entered for the higher level - whether medal, stages or groups/teams.

In the event of a nominated candidate being unable to take part, entry will not be deferred to the following year.

All nominated candidates must have completed the registration form that includes safeguarding and medical forms, and stated their postal address and local authority for the BOPA, by 18th May 2026.

Duos/Trios must have the original cast as per the video. Under strict extenuating circumstances a teacher may replace 1 or 2 candidates within a group/team performance should the original candidates be unable to take part.

Safeguarding forms for any replacement candidates must be submitted by 18th May 2026 via the online google registration form.

In the event of a nominated candidate changing schools, written permission to take part must be supplied by both school principals.

All nominated candidates selected to participate in the finals must pay an individual entry fee to their teacher for each section they participate in. The teacher is to make this payment to the Musical Theatre Committee. The entry fee includes the option for competitors to spectate at the event and participate in a Musical Theatre Warmup Workshop with a professional. All competitors must wear a wristband. These will be sent once payment is received, via post to the teacher, prior to the event.

All spectators must have tickets; these can be purchased in advance of the event for £15.50 on Eventbrite (with a small additional booking fee) or a cash payment of £15.50 on the door, based on seat availability.

Admission to the hall may be restricted whilst performances are in progress. Please note no standing in the auditorium.

All participating schools must have a responsible registered chaperone in attendance to the event to supervise students (A ratio of 1 chaperone to every 12 students). If a chaperone is not on the Musical Theatre Committees list on the day, they will NOT be able to enter which may result in any nominees under their care not being able to take part.

Evidence of a current chaperone’s license must be sent to [email protected] by 18th May 2026. All chaperones must have their current/up-to-date license with them on the day of the event. All nominees must stay with their designated chaperone during the event and will be called backstage prior to the start of their section.

In order to perform, all finalist nominees must register on the day, 45 minutes before the start of their category.

All students/chaperones must sign in when they arrive and out when they leave.

The music for all successful finalists must be emailed to [email protected] by 18th May 2026 with the teachers name, membership number, level, performance title and the candidates name(s). If needed, appropriate cues to also be given.

There will be no changing facilities available at the venue so candidates must be dressed and prepared as per the current syllabus requirements - Plain black musical theatre uniform is compulsory. Theatrical costume must not be worn.

Anyone not adhering to the dress code will be unable to compete.

For safety reasons, jazz shoes or appropriate footwear must be worn at all times.

To protect the health and safety of other competitors and backstage staff, only small properties that can be carried by one person will be permitted in a performance.

During adjudication of the teams, two to three students will be required to return to the stage to represent each team.

The winners of each section will be needed for the final performance section and adjudication for the overall winner.

A Photography/filming ban is in place for the whole event. The IDTA engages an official photographer and also videos the Finals. The video footage or still images may be used for promotional/advertising purposes and published by the IDTA in a variety of formats. Anyone who does not wish to be filmed must notify the organisers prior to the event and they will be removed from any footage. In the event of television coverage, live streaming or production of a DVD recording, all competitors agree that the rights to any fees from such recording will rest with IDTA Ltd (the organisers) and no competitors nor associations shall have any claim to the organisers, television company, video streaming company or DVD producer.

Note that candidates who violate any of the rules will be disqualified.

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