Mission: To recognize and reward exceptional accomplishments in the production and performance of musical theatre in high schools in Lehigh and Northampton Counties, Pennsylvania, and Warren County, New Jersey.
On May 22, 2023, the State Theatre Center for the Arts made history by becoming the first performing arts center in the country to produce – along with broadcast partner WFMZ Channel 69 – a three-hour, live television show to recognize and reward outstanding achievement in local high school musical theatre. It was an extraordinary triumph for creator and executive producer Shelley Brown and her dedicated staff. Regional high schools from the Lehigh, Northampton and Warren County, NJ region now had their own TONY©’s – The FREDDY© Awards.
In a society where performing arts are given fall less attention than sports and academics, the State Theatre is committed to bringing attention to these talented students and preserving the future of theater. It is estimated that this program directly affects over 2,900 students in our area each year. In addition, hundreds of thousands of people experience the students’ hard work and dedication to theatre arts by enjoying the FREDDY© Awards Ceremony, which is broadcast live on WFMZ Channel 69. Over $2 million in Scholarships, Internships, and Community Awards have been distributed through the FREDDY© Awards program since 2003.
The FREDDY© Awards Program has been awarded several community awards including the Easton Chamber of Commerce 2022 Pride of Easton Award, the 2008 Two Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce Award, the 2011 Allentown Arts Ovation Award, 2015 United Way: Air Products Leonard Pool Award, the 2016 Bethlehem Fine Arts Tribute Awards, and the 2017 Northampton County Council of Teachers: Friends of Education Award.
The broadcast has been honored with three regional EMMY Awards, in 2005, 2011, and 2019, and has also received five additional EMMY Nominations, seven Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters Awards, including the 2018 Judge’s Merit Award for Television, and six Associated Press Awards for Public Affairs. The 2008 FREDDY© Program was the subject of a feature-length film documentary, Most Valuable Players, by Canyon Black Films, Los Angeles. Released in 2010, the documentary is part of Oprah Winfrey Network’s (OWN) documentary film club which premiered in 2011.
The FREDDY© Awards are named after J. “Fred” Osterstock, the legendary “Fred the Ghost” of the State Theatre who managed the company that owned the theater from 1936 until his death in 1957.
The 2025 FREDDY© Awards will take place on Thursday, May 22nd.
The FREDDY© Awards program is an approved Educational Improvement Organization under the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Education Improvement Tax Credit program (EITC) due to its strong educational value. Companies that receive EITC allocations can direct them in support of the FREDDY© program. We thank our 2023 EITC supporters, Truist Bank, Capital BlueCross, PPL, Fulton Bank, Fidelity Bank, Philadelphia insurance, People’s Security Bank & Trust, and Weis Markets.
2021
Photographs
Videos
2020
Videos
2013
Nominations
Recipients
Photographs
Videos Coming Soon!
2006
Nominations
Recipients
Photographs
Videos Coming Soon!
2005
Nominations
Recipients
Photographs
Videos Coming Soon!
Warren County Tech
Performer
Currently: The Outsiders on Broadway
Belvidere
Producer & Performer
Currently: Producer of GYPSY on Broadway
Moravian Academy
Stage Manager
Recently: Stereophonic on Broadway
Liberty
Producer & Director
Currently: Producer of Operation Mincemint on Broadway
Northampton Area
Sub Assistant Stage Manager
Currently: SIX on Broadway, &Juliet on Broadway, Hell’s Kitchen on Broadway
Bangor Area
Performer
Cobra Kai
Parkland
Performer
Currently: Harry Potter and The Cursed Child First National Tour
Freedom
Performer
American Idol’ Season 23
Liberty
Lighting Designer
4Wall Entertainment
Saucon Valley
Composer/Arranger
The Walt Disney Company
Liberty
Performer
Recently: House of Telescopes Off-Broadway
Easton
Performer
Recently: SpongeBob Squarepants on Broadway
Parkland
Performer & Singer/Songwriter
Recently: Freestyle Love Supreme on Broadway
Freedom
Director of Production & Tech Design
Wingate University
Notre Dame
Performer
Blue Bloods
Southern Lehigh
Orchestrator/Performer
Recently: Fiddler On The Roof on Broadway
Freedom
Performer
Recently: Spamilton: An American Parody Off-Broadway
Southern Lehigh
Co-Founder/Performer
Next Stop Creatives
Parkland
Performer
Recently: The Wanderers Off-Broadway
Southern Lehigh
Photographer
Lexi Brown Photography
Directed by Denise Crawn of Prestige Productions, the State Theatre Summer Acting Camp will include instructors with extensive experience in theatre arts. They work side by side embracing and encouraging those new to the arts, as well as challenging even the most experienced young actor.
Dates:
The state Theatre is proud to present its Summer Acting Camp! The State Theatre 2025 Acting Camp will be held July 7 – 18, with Camp Recital on July 19 at 2PM.
Currently Available Sessions:
GRADE 1-3 AM
GRADE 1-3 PM
GRADE 4-5 PM
All other sessions are currently sold out.
Consisting of 4 separate morning and afternoon sessions, Grades 1-3, Grades 4-5, Grades 6-8, and Grades 9-12, the two-week course is designed to include an educationally-based yet fun-filled theater experience.
Each child will rotate between three classes (Acting, Music, and Dance), learning valuable lessons and tips needed in all phases of theater. Some subjects covered include audition technique, presentation, terminology, character development, scene work, improv skills and acting games, choreography, show preparation, and musical technique. Each year is a unique experience!
Classes will begin on Monday, July 7 and run weekdays through July 18. Morning sessions are available from 9 AM – 12:30PM and Afternoon sessions from 1:30 PM – 5PM. The last day of regular class (Friday) is a full day, morning and afternoon, for all students. The course will culminate in a student-showcasing recital on Saturday, July 19th at 2PM.
Students who wish to spend the day with us can register for a “Full Day” for double the fun.
Please note: Full Day sessions are not available for grades 1-3. Full Day students with be asked to provide their own lunches.
Cost
By March 31, 2025
Early-Bird Half Day Class Fee: $250 per student
Early-Bird Full Day Class Fee: $475 per student
After March 31, 2025
Half Day Class Fee: $275 per student
Full Day Class Fee: $525 per student
A non-refundable $50 Registration Fee will reserve your child’s spot. This fee will go toward your Class Fee. Full Day sessions require a Registration Fee of $100.
Class Fee for those registered is due June 13th, 2025. Any registrants after June 14th, 2025 must pay in full at time of registration. All fees are non-refundable, no exceptions.
REGISTER NOW
If you are interested in registering for the 2025 Summer Acting Camp, please fill out the form below and email it directly to actingcamp@statetheatre.org
After you submit your form, pay your Registration Fee!
For 23 years, the FREDDY Awards Program has been proud to recognise and reward exceptional accomplishments in the production and performance of musical theatre in high schools in Lehigh and Northampton Counties, Pennsylvania and Warren County, New Jersey. Recently, we have expanded our program to include educational masterclasses.
Our masterclasses are free for all current high school students in Northampton, Lehigh, and Warren Counties. Proof of enrollment in high school is required.