It looks like Clay Aiken will be busy next week.  According to sources at the NC Theatre, Clay will be a celebrity presenter at the 3^rd Annual NCT Capital Awards.

The 2009 Capital Awards will be on May 18, 2009 at 7:00 pm at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium at the Progress Energy Center in downtown Raleigh.

Presented by Capital Bank, the NCT Capital Awards is a program designed to recognize outstanding high school musical productions and performances.

The mission of the Capital Awards sounds like something Clay would be interested in.  The following is the stated mission from the NCT Web page.

CELEBRATE the work of aspiring young performers in the community.
ELEVATE the importance of performing arts education in community high schools.
PERPETUATE the community’s support and passion for the performing arts.

WHAT: NCT’s version of the Tony Awards, the Capital Awards are designed to recognize outstanding high school musical productions and the students who work so hard on and off-stage to make them happen.

WHY: The Capital Awards is another effort by NCT to advance the performing arts by highlighting the work of the next generation of aspiring young performers.

HOW: Schools/Arts educators will have the option to nominate their school in different categories such as outstanding orchestra, direction, choreography, etc.

Groups of three judges from the Triangle area, selected based on their professional experience in the performing arts and theatre education, will view the productions and assess them according to the program criteria.

The Monday night event is a black-tie event.  Besides Broadway veteran, Clay Aiken, the other celebrity presenters include Clay’s friend, Lynda Loveland, Steve Daniels of WTVD ABC 11, Roy Dicks of The News & Observer and others.

It sounds like an exciting night for the schools and students who are participating.  It is also nice to see Clay Aiken and the other celebrity judges giving back to their community.