The eighth annual National High School Musical Theatre Awards, also known as the Jimmy Awards, took place June 27 at the Minskoff Theatre, honoring the best of the best in musical theater performance from 31 schools across the country.
Tony nominee Zachary Levi (“She Loves Me”) hosted the inspirational ceremony, where 62 hopefuls sang Broadway-inspired tunes, including a number featuring songs from Broadway’s “On Your Feet!” and an opening medley that combined moments from the new and the classic: “Hamilton,” “Waitress,” “Chicago,” and more. Eight talented finalists then delivered solo performances for the chance to win coveted awards.
Top acting honors for the evening went to Josh Strobl of Los Angeles, who won best actor singing “Maria” from “West Side Story,” and Amina Faye of Charlotte, North Carolina, who won best actress with her performance of “A New Life” from “Jekyll and Hyde.” Best performance in an ensemble went to Devon McCleskey, while Holly Payne received the Rising Star award and Muhammad Yunus was presented with the Spirit of the Jimmys. Cecilia Trippiedi took home the best dancer award. The evening’s additional scholarship recipients were Jacob Bush, Charlotte Movizzo, Kaiden Lynn Maines, Curtis J. Salinger, Lucas Lowry, and Emma Heistand.
“Since its inception in 2009, the NHSMTA has enabled over $1,000,000 in university and conservatory scholarships to be awarded to talented students at the national and local level—several of whom have already been cast in Broadway, Touring and West End productions,” according to a press release.
To qualify for the Jimmys, students had to have received top honors at their respective regional high school musical theater awards. Over 1,000 high schools participated.
To prepare for their debuts on the Broadway stage, competitors were put through a rigorous 10-day coaching process led by theater professionals including Van Kaplan (“On Your Feet!”), who also directed the awards show.
Judges included casting director Tara Rubin, president of the Actors’ Equity Association Kate Shindle, founding director of NYU Tisch School of the Arts’ New Studio on Broadway Kent Gash, Telsey + Company CD Rachel Hoffman, actor Paul Canaan (“Kinky Boots”), Tony-winning choreographer Wayne Cilento, Stephanie Klapper, Alecia Parker, Cesar Rocha, and executive vice president of the Nederlander Organization Nick Scandalios.
READ: “CD Tara Rubin on What Makes a Successful Audition”
Eva Noblezada, a 2013 Jimmy Awards finalist, was also in attendance, and performed songs from “Les Miz” alongside this year’s students as part of the shows finale. At just 18 years old, Noblezada was cast as the lead Kim in the West End revival of “Miss Saigon,” which will bow on Broadway in spring 2017.
Tony winners Lena Hall, the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber, and theater educator Corey Mitchell, were joined by “Fun Home” star Gabriella Pizzolo, Ben Platt of “Dear Evan Hansen,” and “Chicago” star Bianca Marroquín at the celebration.
For more information on the Jimmy Awards, visit www.nhsmta.com.
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