Jimmys Roundup: Follow the Road to the National High School Musical Theatre Awards with This Year's Nominees!

It's that time of year again! Later tonight dozens of kids from across the country will gather to compete for the ultimate prize- Best Performance by an Actor and Actress at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, also known as the Jimmy Awards. This year, the 52 nominees will be joined by 2015 Tony winner Michael Cerveris, who will serve as host of the seventh annual awards ceremony at the Minskoff Theatre. While the students are busy getting ready to sing on a Broadway stage, BroadwayWorld has been preparing by bringing you blogs from the kids themselves, and it's not too late to catch up on what they've been up to this week.

Meet Emma Buchanan, a Bobby G Award winner for Outstanding Actress in a Musical for her performance in Durango High School's LES MISERABLES in Denver, Colorado. Joining her is Evatt Salinger, winner of the Bobby G Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor as Jean Valjean in Durango High School's LES MISERABLES, also in Denver, Colorado. Highlights of the Bobby G Awards nominees can be seen here.

The two were lucky enough to both be chosen from the same high school production and travel together to New York City for the first time. Along the way, they shared their experiences from various press events and other amazing opportunities. Here, the two are singing the National Anthem at a Colorado Rockies game. In this blog, Emma Buchanan talks about a full day of interviews with the Denver media. In his latest entry, Evatt Salinger recounts his second day in New York, his first full day of rehearsal, and seeing his first Broadway show: "An American in Paris." What an exciting time! Check it out here.

Ryan Koerber, senior from Long Island, has also been documenting his journey to the Jimmy Awards. He won Best Actor at the Gershwin Awards in Manhattan for his performance in his high school production. Check out his first blog here. The second blog features working at The Gateway Playhouse, playing the Heads Up app, and seeing Fun Home on Broadway. In his third blog, Ryan prepares for New York City and performs in his final show with his dance company. Check it out here!

"The Joci Awards" winners, Travis Anderson and Sabrina Uriegas are also off to New York City to participate in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards. Check out a first look at the nominees and winners from The Joci Awards here.

Student performers qualify to compete in the national program by winning top honors at regional high school musical theatre awards competitions presented by Broadway League member performing arts centers. Over 1,000 high schools and 50,000 students participate in these annual events. 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.

NHSMTA nominees will prepare for their Broadway debut during a five-day professional training intensive with NYU Tisch School of the Arts' New Studio on Broadway faculty members plus other theatre professionals.

Winners will be selected by a panel of judges comprised of notable theatre professionals including Tony Award-winning producers and award-winning casting experts: Kent Gash (Associate Arts Professor; Founding Director, New Studio on Broadway, NYU Tisch School of the Arts Department of Drama), Rachel Hoffman C.S.A. (Telsey + Company), Arielle Tepper Madover (Producer, ATM Productions), Alecia Parker (Executive Producer, National Artists Management Company), Tara Rubin C.S.A. (Tara Rubin Casting), Nick Scandalios (Executive Vice President, TheNederlander Organization), Thomas Schumacher (President, Disney Theatrical Group) and Bernie Telsey C.S.A. (Telsey + Company).

Founded in 2009 by Nederlander Alliances LLC, Pittsburgh CLO, and Broadway Education Alliance (BEA), NHSMTA's mission is to raise the profile of musical theatre in schools, recognize dedicated teachers and inspire the next generation of performers and enthusiasts. Also known as The Jimmy™ Awards, in honor of legendary Broadway producer/theatre owner James M. Nederlander, the NHSMTA is supported by many leading theatre industry organizations. More information about the National High School Musical Theatre Awards can be found at nhsmta.com.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting NHSMTA.COM or TICKETMASTER.COM and range from $39 to $79. Premium seats are $175.

To get you in the Jimmys spirit, check out highlights from last year's ceremony below!

Photo Credit: Henry McGee