About the Theatre Night Awards

🎭 Our Mission

The Theatre Night Awards (The Foxy Awards) celebrate excellence in New Jersey high school and middle school theatre. Our mission is to recognize the artistry, dedication, and collaboration of student performers, directors, designers, technicians, and entire ensembles while fostering equity across schools with different levels of resources and training. Each year, the awards honor both individual and collective achievement, highlight innovative storytelling, and encourage the next generation of theatre artists.

🦊 Our History

The Foxy Awards were founded in memory of Jo Anne Fox, an influential New Jersey educator and theatre artist who believed in nurturing students’ creative voices. Since its inception, the program has grown into one of the state’s largest celebrations of student theatre, drawing productions from a wide range of schools—rural, suburban, urban, large, small, and everything in between.

The awards began with a handful of categories and have expanded to reflect the richness of modern theatre, now encompassing performance, design, direction, technical artistry, choreography, innovation, and community impact.

🌟 Outcomes & Impact

The Theatre Night Awards provide more than trophies: they create a platform for students to:

• Gain professional-style feedback through detailed adjudication rubrics.

• Showcase artistry across acting, directing, design, choreography, and stage management.

• Foster community by connecting students from across the state in one celebratory event.

• Encourage equity by recognizing schools at recreational, competitive, and pre-professional levels.

• Promote leadership and highlight contributions in educational impact, outreach, and original composition.
  
  

Many Foxy Award participants go on to study theatre and dance in college, pursue careers in the arts, or remain lifelong advocates for live performance.

🎉 Ceremony Tradition

Held annually at Montclair State University’s Memorial Auditorium, the Theatre Night Awards bring together hundreds of students, directors, and families to celebrate an entire season of school theatre. Each year, the ceremony features:

• Performances by nominated students

• Recognition of outstanding productions in both plays and musicals

• Special awards for leadership, educational impact, and innovation

• The beloved Jo Anne Fox Award
  
  

The ceremonies have become a tradition not only of recognition but also of inspiration, as students cheer each other on and celebrate the power of live theatre.