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
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
State Theatre 2026 Summer Acting Camp
Directed by Denise Crawn of Prestige Productions
The State Theatre is proud to present its Summer Acting Camp — a two-week, educational and fun-filled theater experience for students in Grades 1–12! Led by Denise Crawn and a team of instructors with extensive experience in the theatre arts, the camp provides opportunities for beginners and seasoned young performers alike to grow, create, and shine.
Camp Dates:
July 6 – 17, 2026 (Weekdays only)
Camp Recital: Saturday, July 18 at 2:00 PM
Students will rotate through three core classes each day — Acting, Music, and Dance — learning key skills in areas such as audition techniques, presentation, stage terminology, character development, scene work, improvisation, choreography, musical technique, and more. Each summer offers a brand-new experience!
Available Session Options by Grade Level:
SOLD OUT Session Options by Grade Level:
To join the wait list, please click the button below to send an email. Please include your name, student name, contact information, grade level, and session (am/pm/full day) in the body of the email.
Class Times:
Note: Full Day sessions are not available for Grades 1–3. Students attending Full Day sessions must bring their own lunch.
Tuition:
Register by March 31, 2026:
After March 31, 2026:
Registration Fee (Non-Refundable):
Final Payment Due: June 12, 2026
Registrations after June 12 must be paid in full at the time of registration.
All fees are non-refundable. No exceptions.
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.