Finalists were chosen from adjudicated entries after reviewing dozens of high school productions, with finalists revealed across categories such as Best Musical, Best Ensemble, and Best Student Production.

The Rising Star Awards began in 2010 and have grown into a major showcase for young talent in central North Carolina, with ABC11 as a sponsor of the event.

Winners receive scholarship prizes and the chance to advance to the national competition, reinforcing the Rising Star Awards as a key stepping stone for aspiring arts students in the region.

The Durham Performing Arts Center will host the 2026 Rising Star Awards to honor top high school musical theater performers in central North Carolina, with the ceremony held at DPAC in downtown Durham on Sunday evening.

Twenty finalists will compete live on stage for Best Actor and Best Actress, with two winners advancing to the national Jimmy Awards in New York City.

In addition to acting awards, the program recognizes more than a dozen performance and technical categories, highlighting both onstage and behind-the-scenes excellence by students and educators.