NEW YORK CITY — The bright lights of Times Square shone even brighter Tuesday as 102 of America’s most talented high school performers gathered beneath a billboard displaying their faces—a surreal moment in their journey to the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (better known as the Jimmy Awards).
From Classroom to Center Stage
Selected from 150,000 initial competitors through regional contests, these students now have just 10 days to prepare a Broadway-caliber showcase at the Minskoff Theatre. Among them:
🎭 Hayden Poe (Dalton, GA), nominated for Hadestown: Teen Edition
🎭 Jayden Vega (Tampa, FL), a standout in Urinetown
🎭 Natalie Sierk (Des Moines, IA), recognized for *9 to 5*
“We work our voices, we work our bodies, but the kindness and friendship get us through,” says Poe, echoing the mix of exhaustion and exhilaration shared by the cohort.
The Grueling Road to the Jimmys
The teens’ New York immersion is no summer camp:
⏰ 7:30 AM Breakfast at Juilliard
⏰ 8:30 AM-8:30 PM Rehearsals & coaching
⏰ Late nights Bonding with their “pods” (support groups)
“The days are long, but it’s so worth it,” says Vega, wiping away tears as his headshot flashed across the Times Square billboard. “This is everything I’ve dreamed of.”
Why the Jimmys Matter
Named for Broadway impresario Jimmy Nederlander, the awards have launched careers:
🌟 Eva Noblezada (2-time Tony nominee, now in Cabaret)
🌟 Renée Rapp (Mean Girls star and chart-topping singer)
🌟 2024 Tony nominees Jasmine Amy Rogers & Julia Knitel
“Watching their careers blossom is the best part of my job,” says executive director Rachel Reiner, noting that over 100 alumni are currently working on Broadway.
Tonight’s Big Show
Hosted by Josh Groban, tonight’s ceremony (livestreamed at 7:30 PM ET) will crown:
🏆 Best Actor
🏆 Best Actress
For nominees like Sierk, simply being here is victory enough: “How can I possibly be part of something so huge? It’s the honor of my life.”