Home|Education & Community|School and Youth Programs|Overture Awards|Instructions for Finalists

Instructions for Finalists

Congratulations on being selected as a 2026 Overture Awards Finalist! Please read the following instructions carefully and reach out with any questions.

Important Dates:

Overture Awards Rehearsal:

  • Friday, March 13, 1:00-5:00 PM
  • Students report: 12:45 PM
  • Location: Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater

Overture Awards Finals Competition:

  • Saturday, March 14, 1:00-4:30 PM
  • Students report: 12:00 PM
  • Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater
  • For 2026 the winner will receive $4,000 while the other three finalists will receive $1,500.

Finals Tickets on Sale Now!

 

NOTE: Competitors should continue to follow their discipline's criteria for the final round of competition. Failure to do so could result in point deductions. Click here to review your discipline's criteria.

Competitor Next Steps

Creative Writing

  • During the final competition, the creative writing students will be introduced.
  • You will read a selection of your work, approximately 1-2 minutes.
  • Please print the selection you will read.
  • The emcee will also ask you a few questions such as, what inspired you to start writing, where do you get your ideas, who inspires you?

 

  • DUE February 28: Any edits you wish to make to your writing ahead of Finals adjudication. Students should submit the same pieces they submitted for the Semi-Finals round, however minor edits are permitted. Applications will be sent back to Finalists via Acceptd.
    • If you wish to edit your piece(s), open your Acceptd account, remove your original file(s), upload your edited file(s), and resubmit.
    • Should you choose not to edit your piece(s), please open your Acceptd account, and resubmit your application.

 

Dance

  • While it is suggested that competitors perform the same piece that they performed during Semi-Finals, competitors may choose to perform another if they feel it better demonstrates their work.

  • DUE February 28: Submit the following HERE.

Instrumental Music

  • While it is suggested that competitors perform the same piece that they performed during Semi-Finals, competitors may choose to perform another if they feel it better demonstrates their work.
  • DUE February 28: Submit the following HERE.

Theater

  • While it is suggested that competitors perform the same pieces that they performed during Semi-Finals, competitors may choose to perform another if they feel it better demonstrates their work.
  • DUE February 28: Submit the following HERE.

Visual Art

  • During the final competition, the visual art students will be introduced.
  • You will read your artist statement, approximately 1-2 minutes.
  • Please print the selection you will read.
  • The emcee will also ask you a few questions such as, what got you started, what kind of medium do you like to work in, who inspires you, etc.
  • While you are reading your statement, 4  images of your artwork will be projected on a screen.

 

  • DUE February 28: Submit the following HERE.

 

  • EXHIBITION:
    • Your artwork will also be displayed in the Aronoff Center—Center Stage Room (next to the Weston Art Gallery), March 10– March 29.
  • PORTFOLIO DROP-OFF
    • Friday, March 6, 2:30-5:30 PM
    • Drop-off at the Aronoff Center's Center Stage Room doors, located on 7th Street directly across from First Watch Restaurant
      • These doors are right next to the Weston Art Gallery doors, where you dropped off for Semi-Finals.
  • PORTFOLIO PICK-UP
    • Monday, March 30, 2:30-5:30 PM
    • Pick-up at the Aronoff Center's Center Stage Room

Vocal Music

  • While it is suggested that competitors perform the same pieces that they performed during Semi-Finals, competitors may choose to perform another if they feel it better demonstrates their work.
  • DUE February 28: Submit the following HERE.

Rehearsal and Finals Schedule

Rehearsal Day:

Rehearsal Day: Friday, March 14, 1:00-5:00 PM

Rehearsal Location: Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater

Students report: 12:45 PM

 

Rehearsal Timeline (subject to change)

Students are expected to be present 12:45-5:00 PM

  • Welcome & Tour: 1:00-1:30
  • Dance rehearsal: 1:30-2:00
  • Creative Writing rehearsal: 2:00-2:30
  • Instrumental Music rehearsal: 2:30-3:00
  • Vocal Music rehearsal: 3:00-3:30
  • Visual Art rehearsal: 3:30-4:00
  • Theater rehearsal: 4:00-4:30
  • Awards ceremony rehearsal: 4:30-5:00

(only students, and accompanists if using, are permitted at the rehearsal. Guests are welcome in the lobby. Accompanists should arrive 30 minutes prior to discipline’s rehearsal time)

 

Discipline Specific Rehearsal Notes:

  • Creative Writing: Be prepared to read a selection of your work, approximately 1-2 minutes. Please print out a copy of your selection to read from.
  • Visual Arts: Be prepared to read your artist statement, approximately 1-2 minutes. Please print out a copy of your selection to read from.
  • Instrumental Music: Bring your instrument and be prepared to rehearse on stage.
  • Dance, Instrumental Music, Theatre, Vocal Music: Please come pre-warmed up. During the rehearsal, you are not required to perform at the same level that you will at the finals. The rehearsal is a time to practice marking and placement, audio levels, etc. If your discipline requires you to perform in a costume, you will not need to have your costume at the rehearsal.

Finals Day:

Finals Competition: Saturday, March 15, 1:00-4:00 PM

Location: Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater

Students report: 12:00 PM

Dance students: The stage will be open 10:30-11:30 for warm-up.

Pianist students: Warm-up on the grand 11:00-11:30 PM

 

Finals Timeline (subject to change)

Students are expected to be present 12:00-4:30 PM

  • Welcome: 1:00-1:05
  • Dance: 1:05-1:20
  • Creative Writing: 1:20-1:35
  • Instrumental Music: 1:35-1:55
  • Intermission
  • Vocal Music: 2:15-2:40
  • Visual Art: 2:40-2:55
  • Theater: 2:55-3:15
  • Intermission
  • Awards Ceremony: 3:30-4:00
  • Winners interviewed for video: 4:00-4:30
  • A reception will be held in the Weston Art Gallery following the awards ceremony. All are welcome.

(Accompanists should arrive 30 minutes prior to discipline’s start time)

Arrival

  • The Aronoff Center is located at 650 Walnut Street.
  • On both the rehearsal and finals day, you may enter through the Jarson-Kaplan Theater/Box Office doors. These are located on the corner of Walnut and 6th Street. (right next to Nada Restaurant.)
  • When you arrive, check-in at the table in the lobby.

Additional Notes:

  • Accompanists: If you are performing with an accompanist, we ask that they arrive to the rehearsal and the finals at least 30 minutes ahead of your discipline’s scheduled performance time. When they arrive to the rehearsal and finals, they will check-in in the Jarson-Kaplan Lobby and be escorted backstage. Your accompanist does not need a ticket to the finals.
  • Attire: If your discipline requires you to perform in a costume, you will not need to have your costume at the rehearsal. The finals are a professional, produced event, and you should dress accordingly, but you may dress casually for the rehearsal. Hair and makeup should be done before arriving on the day of the finals.
  • Guests: Guests are unable to stay for the rehearsal, but are welcome to wait in the lobby. Only competitors and accompanists are permitted backstage during the rehearsal and finals.
  • Food/Beverages: You are welcome to bring water and snacks to the rehearsal and on the day of the finals. Food deliveries are not permitted.
  • Tickets: Family and friends can purchase tickets to the finals online HERE, at the Aronoff Center Box Office, or over the phone at 513-621-2787. (Competitors and accompanists do not need to purchase tickets)
  • Social Media: If you don’t already, be sure to follow @aronoffcenter on Instagram! 

 

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. You may send a message via Acceptd, or to the email below. There will also be time to answer any remaining questions on the day of the rehearsals.

 

We will see you soon!

Emily Spooner
Youth and School Programs Manager
espooner@cincinnatiarts.org