The 2010 National High School Musical Theater Awards begin

This time last year, 32 student performers from 16 regional awards programs gathered for the first-ever National High School Musical Theater Awards. Just 365 days later, and the program has grown to include 44 participants and 22 regional awards programs. And this year’s group is wasting no time getting down to business – just a few hours into the event, and the 2010 NHS Musical Theater Awards are already moving ahead at full speed.

The crowd of budding leading men and women arrived in New York City this afternoon, checked into their dorms at New York University and dashed straight to the Tisch School of the Arts to dive into their work for the week. After a meeting and introduction for everyone in attendance – participants, chaperones, program directors and other staff – and a bite to eat, where they got to know each other a little more, they were ready to go.

The task in front of them? Pull together a full show – complete with an opening number, medleys showcasing each students’ winning performance, another group number and a finale – to be performed in just six days at the Marquis Theatre on Broadway. Of course, it’ll be no easy feat, but this “best of the best” crop of students has already begun bringing the production to life. They’ve started to learn the vocal parts for the show, and tomorrow they’ll begin getting “in-step” with the choreography, too. And just by the enthusiasm with which they’ve brought to the first several hours they’ve been here, the nominees are looking (and sounding) like they’re more than ready to take on this challenge.