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originally published: 12/09/2022 

(CARTERET, NJ) -- The URSB Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center has announced the inaugural Carteret PAC Central Jersey Marquee Awards, Honoring Excellence in Middlesex County High School Musical Theater. The Carteret PAC Central Jersey Marquee Awards will take place on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at the new URSB Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center (Carteret PAC). 

The Carteret PAC Central Jersey Marquee Awards will celebrate and encourage talent and achievement in musical theater in high schools throughout Middlesex County, NJ. The program aims to recognize students participating in a range of roles on and off stage. A total of 20 categories will be adjudicated and awarded at the ceremony. 

The first 40 high schools to apply in Middlesex County, NJ will be invited to participate by filling out an online application. Once your entry is confirmed by the program manager, the URSB Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center will send three trained adjudicators to watch, score, and write feedback for each entered musical production. Schools must produce a musical between February 2, 2023, and April 16, 2023 to be eligible to participate.

Adjudicators hail from a pool of local theater professionals, performing artists, teaching artists, designers, and technicians who will attend each school’s musical and provide scores and feedback that adhere to the Carteret PAC Central Jersey Marquee Awards standards. By providing scores and feedback to the participating schools, the goal is to boost attention and growth of Middlesex County high school theater programs. 

Each participating high school will submit a video of their full production as soon as possible after their show closing. Scores and feedback will be recorded, and a list of final nominations will be announced online on April 24, 2023.

 

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The program will culminate with a red-carpet celebration on the Carteret PAC stage. Nominated schools and students will rehearse during the day and perform at a Tony Awards-style ceremony to be held on May 17, 2023. The event will highlight numbers from the nominated shows, as well as award the performers, directors, choreographers, orchestras, and designers, who have expressed excellence during the 2023 musical season.  

“The URSB Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center is honored to host the inaugural Central Jersey Marquee Awards,” Mayor Daniel J. Reiman said. “Middlesex County and Central New Jersey are full of talented artists, and we are excited to hone and celebrate that talent. The hope is that students and teachers will take these accolades and use them to sharpen their performing arts programs. These awards will serve as a resume builder and school unifier. We can’t wait to get started!” 

The Carteret PAC Central Jersey Marquee Awards is seeking evaluators to review and critique Middlesex County Schools entered in the program. Interested parties should send their resume to CPACmarqueeawards@gmail.com.

Candidates must be willing to attend at least four shows between Feb. 2, 2023 and April 16, 2023. All evaluators will receive complimentary tickets to the school shows being evaluated and the ceremony. Applicants must be computer literate with their own means of transportation. A stipend plus mileage reimbursement will be available for each show payable after the ceremony on May 17, 2023.

Opened in 2021, Carteret PAC is a multi-level, flexible-space venue that boasts a lower-level comedy/jazz club with piano lounge; a main floor concert/comedy and entertainment space with luxury theater-style seating that is easily removed to accommodate a variety of events such as expos, weddings, dinners, and more.