The Denver Center announced The Bobby G Awards today – an awards program aimed at encouraging and rewarding outstanding achievements in the production of high school musical theatre. Named for the late Robert Garner, “The BobbyG Awards” will provide an opportunity for excellence in musical theatre at the high school level to be celebrated by the professional community. 

Robert Garner was a Broadway pioneer, a crucially important figure in the national Broadway tour circuit in Denver. It was when his production company merged with the Denver Center for the Performing Arts that Denver Center Attractions was created, paving the way for Denver to become a reserved location for any Broadway tour.

“Bob brought Broadway to Denver and this is just the kind of program he would have encouraged,” says Randy Weeks, Executive Director and President of Denver Center Attractions. “We are thrilled to honor his name and encourage the next generation of Broadway stars.”

The Denver Center, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, invites high schools to apply to participate in the 2013 season by submitting an application at http://www.BobbyGAwards.org by February 1, 2013. Musicals accepted into the program will be seen by Bobby G Awards Adjudicators and the program will culminate in a Tony-style awards ceremony on May 30, 2013, where multiple awards will be presented for outstanding individuals who shine in performances, direction, and design.

Robert Simpson Garner, born October 29, 1931, was an instrumental part in the first national tour of Les Miserables

Adjudicators who see these high school performances will be working professionals with substantial theatrical training and expertise. In addition to providing scores that will guide nominations and awards in multiple categories, adjudicators will provide comments, praise, and constructive criticism designed to motivate growth and recognize success.

The program is designed to feed into the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (aka “the Jimmy’s”), which was featured on the PBS Documentary TV series ‘Broadway or Bust’ this fall. Regional competitions from all over the country complete similar awards programs in the spring and send the honorees from the Lead Actor and Lead Actress categories to New York for the Jimmy’s in June. The programming in New York includes Master Classes, private coaching, and opportunities to receive merit scholarships, professional advancement, and other prizes.

Applications for participating schools, as well as adjudicators, are available at http://bobbygawards.org