They dream of one day performing on a Broadway stage. And on Monday night, 80 of the top high school musical theater performers will get their chance when they hit New York City’s Minskoff Theater forthe National High School Musical Theater Awards.
Now in its tenth year, the awards — dubbed “the Jimmys,” after its co-founder and sponsor James M. Nederlander — are like the Tonys for teenagers.
Participants, each who have already won awards in a sea of regional competitions, show off their talents in a series of group performances throughout the night. Finalists are chosen for solos before the year’s “best actor” and “best actress” are awarded from a panel of Broadway judges.
What’s at stake? College scholarships, cash prizes, and a chance to catch the attention of a Broadway casting director or two.
Here are five things you need to know about The Jimmys:
1. Making it to the main stage requires hard work
Henry McGee/NHSMTA
2. The opening numbers are a tribute to Broadway’s best
Kicking off the show every year, all nominees gather together for a mega-song that incorporates tunes from a handful of shows running on the Great White Way (and a few of the ones from the history books). Can’t make it toDear Evan Hansen,Waitress, orHamilton? Look for cuts in the opening numbers.
3. But it’s really all about the medleys
4. The Jimmys can lead to big things
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Eva Noblezada was on one of five finalists for the 2013 National High School Musical Theatre Awards when a casting director in the audience noticed her talent. Next thing she knew, the then-17-year-old was auditioning in front of famed producer Cameron Mackintosh. She’d go on to lead the West End revival ofMiss Saigon, and then the transfer the production to Broadway — which earned her a nomination for a 2017 Tony award for best actress in a musical.
The current Broadway season includes three Jimmys’ alums: Jai’Len Christine Li Josey (SpongeBob SquarePants The Musical), Kyle Selig (Mean Girls), and Nathan Salstone (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child).
5. They’re being streamed for the first time ever
Can’t make it to New York City to see the show? No worries. For the first time in history, the Nederlander Alliances, Pittsburgh CLO and Broadway Education Alliance, and the Broadway League Foundation (all whom jointly founded the show) arestreaming the show on Facebook.
source: people.com
