CONTACT:
B. Grant Yarber
President and Chief Executive Officer            
Phone: (919) 645-3494
Email: gyarber@capitabank-nc.com

Third annual Capital Awards celebrate rising stars

Awards honor high school musical theatre students across Triangle

Raleigh, N.C. — May 14, 2009 — Capital Bank and North Carolina Theatre will present the third annual Capital Awards for High School Musical Excellence on Monday, May 18 to honor drama students from 11 Triangle-area high schools. The Capital Awards recognize outstanding high school musical productions and performances from six different counties in 16 categories, including Outstanding Direction, Outstanding Choreography and Outstanding Scenic Design.

The black tie award ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh. Triangle area judges critiqued the 11 participating schools during the fall and spring productions. Capital Bank President and CEO, B. Grant Yarber, will take the stage as a presenter, along with a prestigious list of local arts leaders and Broadway performers.

“Capital Bank´s investment fuels every aspect of the Capital Awards program and ensures that the spotlight is on musical theatre excellence at the high school level,” said Lisa Grele Barrie, executive director, North Carolina Theatre. “We believe that students in the performing arts deserve the recognition and celebration that the Capital Awards affords.”

The two Capital Awards recipients for Outstanding Leading Actor and Actress will advance to the first annual presentation of The Jimmy Awards, to be held in New York this summer at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, New York University. Capital Bank is underwriting the participation of the two Capital Awards winners in this program.

“After witnessing the incredible talent the past two years, we are eagerly anticipating what we´ll see at this year´s event,” said Yarber, who is also a member of North Carolina Theatre´s Board of Directors. “We fully support the mission of the Capital Awards – to celebrate the work of aspiring young performers in our community, to elevate the importance of performing arts educations in our high schools and to perpetuate the community's support and passion for the performing arts.”

General Admission tickets are on sale now for $15. Please call 919-831-6941 ext 6944 to purchase tickets.