ABOUT US
Making a Difference Since 1971!
Founded in 1971, FCLO Music Theatre emerged as one of the leading professional regional theater companies in Southern California, helping to create the cultural landscape that we enjoy today. For over 45 years, countless performers, technical crew, production staff and designers collaborated to create award-winning, live musical theatre.
Although FCLO no longer produces the big Broadway musicals, our work continues through JRAY. Our ongoing mission is to help young artists achieve their dreams. We support a high school environment with positive mentors who can help students find a safe and supportive place to hone their craft, feel inspired, and build a practical and working foundation to pursue their artistic vision. We also want to support the communities in which we live, where everyone benefits and thrives through music, art, and the boundless enthusiasm of our youth.
What better place to start than high school musical theatre? A place of inclusion, diversity, hard work, and amazing creativity—a sanctuary for many as they begin to realize their dreams of becoming a working artist.
At JRAY, we are proud to be a part of the world of musical theatre, a tight-knit community where everybody knows each other and works together to make meaningful connections and ensure that music and art will thrive.
You can make a difference by joining us as a patron today!
2024 BAA Winners from Left to right: Finn McGonigle (Redondo Union High School), Jacob Koclanis (San Juan Hills High School), Sydney Parker (Fullerton Union High School), and Kayla McCarty (Ramona High School Riverside)
Get Involved!
Be a part of your community in a way that transcends normal philanthropy! Here are the highlights of what your support allows us to do:
-
We are like the Tony Awards for high school musical theatre. From September through April, our judges travel all over LA and Orange Counties and the Inland Empire to adjudicate local high school musical productions.
-
We evaluate over 33 performance and technical categories. Hundreds of students receive nominations.
-
Our theatre experts provide valuable TalkBack notes to the cast and production teams of our participating schools.
-
Every May, we put on a fantastic award show at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse, featuring live performances from our participating schools, trophy presentations in each category, and scholarship giveaways. That event sells out (over 1400 tickets!) every year.
-
Last season we gave away over $20,000 in scholarships and unique training and work experiences to our participating students. That includes sending 4 students to the Broadway Artists Alliance (BAA), a week-long workshop and showcase in New York City that is run by Broadway and industry professionals.
-
We support and recognize students who are the singers, dancers, production team, technical designers, stage crew and scenic artists that work with true dedication and commitment to make the magic of musical theatre happen in our communities.
-
These experiences and unique opportunities change the lives of our participating students. Since JRAY’s founding, over 50 local high schools have participated in our program, and we serve over one thousand students every year.
Your donation can be specifically targeted to support our students and the JRAY organization in exactly the way you want. We have several different levels of patronage and more sponsorship options.
JRAY Award Categories
Each category will have nominees as voted upon by the panel of judges. All nominees will be presented with medallions and certificates. The first place winners will receive beautiful JRAY trophies on the day of our Award Show.
The award-winning performances and recognition for students and schools include, but are not limited to the following categories.
​
Actor in a Leading Female Dramatic Role
Actor in a Leading Male Dramatic Role
Actor in a Leading Female Comedic Role
Actor in a Leading Male Comedic Role
Supporting Actor in a Female Role
Supporting Actor in a Male Role
Featured Actor in a Female Role
Featured Actor in a Male Role
Outstanding Comic in a Female Role
Outstanding Comic in a Male Role
Outstanding Female Vocalist
Outstanding Male Vocalist
Dancer – Male
Dancer – Female
Outstanding Ensemble Member
Best Ensemble
Student Orchestra
Student Stage Manager
Crew Execution
Sound Design
Lighting Design
Sets & Scenic Design
Props
Costumes
Hair & Make-up
Graphic Design & Publicity
Above & Beyond Special Achievement Award
Choreographer of the Year
Music Director of the Year
Director of the Year
Musical Comedy of the Year
Musical Drama of the Year
Showcase Trophy (For Best Performance of the Day at our Award Show)
Discretionary Awards (as applicable): To recognize a student-driven production of excellence in various categories, such as costuming, choreography, scenic design, lighting, etc. The determination will be made by the judges on a school-by-school basis when adjudicating the musical.
​
BAA Scholarship Winners: Each year JRAY will send four winners (two female and two male) to Broadway Artists Alliance (BAA) in New York City to attend their one-week summer workshop intensives and master classes conducted by Broadway professionals – culminating in solo performances before industry professionals and casting agents. This prize covers the cost of the workshop, airfare, and lodging.
​​
Scholarships
We offer the following JRAY scholarships and Unique Training Opportunities:
-
The Broadway Artists Alliance Scholarships
-
The Jan & Griff Duncan Memorial FCLO Scholarships
-
The Duncan Great Cause Foundation Scholarship
-
The Open Dawes Scenic Artist Apprenticeship
-
The SENOVVA Student Stage Manager Scholarship
-
The Matthew J. Schwartz Technical Scholarship
-
The Tim MacDougall Vocal Scholarship
-
The Scott Erickson In-Studio Experience (for Musicians and Producers)
All of our scholarships are made possible by our generous donors and sponsors, both private individuals and corporate. Scholarship recipients are determined by a scholarship review panel and are based on merit/ grade point/ school participation and need. Nominations must be made from a participating school to be eligible. The names of scholarship recipients are announced on the day of the Awards show.
​
If you are interested in making a donation and/or creating/naming a new scholarship, please contact our Patron/Scholarship department and Marilyn Gianetti: marilyn.g@jrayawards.com, or give us a call @ (626) 222-6403.
JRAY Publicity
Our goal is to help promote each school’s theater program and encourage community involvement/support through media releases.