The Jimmy Awards are presented by the Broadway League Foundation and the winners will be selected June 25 by a panel of industry experts. This year’s ceremony will be livestreamed from Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre with support from Tony-winning Best Musical Dear Evan Hansen and Wells Fargo. Tony winner Laura Benanti hosts the evening.
Having won their regional high school musical theatre award competitions, the qualifying finalists (listed below) spend ten days in a professional training intensive with mentors from the Broadway industry in order to prepare for the Jimmy Awards ceremony. Over 1,500 high schools and 100,000 students participate in these annual events. This year, 80 finalists will participate in the program and ceremony.
Contestants from previous years that are currently starring on Broadway or a national tour shared some advice for this year's contestants.
Flip through the gallery below to see what they had to say:
2010 winner Kyle Selig: Aaron Samuels in Mean Girls on Broadway
Kyle Selig: “Stay close with the people you meet at the Jimmys. They’re just as crazy about this art form as you are. You will challenge each other, keep each other accountable, make cool things … and probably be roommates when you move to New York.”
2010 nominee Elise Vannerson (right): Ensemble in Beautiful The Carole King Musical on National Tour
Elise Vannerson: “My advice for any future Jimmy Awards participant is to try and live as much in the present as possible! I know that so much is happening in such a short amount of time, but you are meeting so many industry professionals who have so much worthy advice to give, not to mention the other students who will soon enough turn into lifelong friends. Soak every second up! If you waste too much time stressing about the competition you will miss all that this experience has to offer. Take a deep breath, know that you can handle anything this week throws at you and HAVE FUN. Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose!”
2012 finalist Erica Durham (Center): Ensemble/Squeak in The Color Purple national tour
Erica Durham with 2012 Jimmy Award contestants
Courtesy of the Jimmy Awards
2012 nominee Nathan Salstone: Ensemble in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway
Nathan Salstone: “For future Jimmy Award performers, my advice would be 'to go into the process with an open mind; being willing and open to exploring the material and exploring different parts of yourself without judgement and without comparison. But also as a contradiction, stay true to your core beliefs and instincts reminding yourself why you do what you do and enjoy every moment of the amazingly talented and beautiful theater nerds (said in the most loving way because I am one) from all over the country coming together to celebrate one incredible bond.”
2012 nominee Caitlin Finnie: Ensemble in Les Misérables on National Tour
Caitlin Finnie: “My advice for future Jimmy Awards performers would be to work hard and really try to learn and absorb as much as possible from their coaches/mentors, because that kind of advice and feedback is invaluable. But I think most importantly, have fun, take advantage of being surrounded by like-minded and talented young performers and make friends! I met some incredible performers at the Jimmys and am fortunate to be working with Josh and to have visited with other alums along the tour.”
2012 winner Joshua Grosso: Marius in Les Misérables on National Tour
Joshua Grosso: “Have fun. Don't take yourself too seriously. It's easy to be caught up in the fact that you need to win and need to show Broadway that you're talented but that very same drive you should enjoy! You get to show people your love and passion on a stage that most people have to wait their entire careers to be on. This week is about you honing your craft and a celebration of your hard work and talent. You deserve it.”
2014 winner Jai'Len Christine Li Josey (Right): Ensemble in SpongeBob SquarePants on Broadway
Jai'Len Christine Li Josey: “When I was young, my mother would always ask me, 'Jai’Len, what’s your Plan B?' and I would tell her, 'My Plan B is to make sure my Plan A works!'”
2014 finalist Mekhai Lee (Right): Grady in The Color Purple on National Tour
Mekhai Lee
2015 winner Marla Louissaint: Ensemble in Beautiful The Carole King Musical on National Tour
Marla Loussaint: “Don't try to emulate the performance from the Original Broadway Cast. You won for your unique performance, trust that you don't need to be anybody else but yourself! Also, place your vocal and overall health as one of your priorities. Don't over sing in rehearsals because you'll find yourself without a voice three days in. Stay hydrated. Know when you've rehearsed enough after a long day of receiving material and get some sleep. Know when to mark—i.e. when rehearsing medleys but obviously not when you're on mic at the Minskoff.”
