Musical Theater Prodigy Joshlyn Camille Lomax to be Honored as 'Rising Star'

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and Allstate Insurance Company announced today that they will present the second "Rising Star" youth award to Joshlyn Camille Lomax during the third-annual Fifth Star Awards on Wednesday, September 14 at 7pm-at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. The award celebrates the achievements of Chicago youth demonstrating promise and career aspirations in the arts. Lomax, a student at CPS's Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts), was selected from a pool of nominees submitted by the public and several Chicago high school arts programs.

Sixteen-year-old Joshlyn Camille Lomax is a television, film and musical theater actress and singer specializing in gospel music, jazz, neo-soul and classical. She has worked with industry professionals Cobie Smulders, Mel Jackson, Tommy Ford, Tim Kazurinsky, Felicia P. Fields, Director Christine Houston and many others. As a child, Lomax performed with the Soul Children of Chicago, and later received a Black Theater Alliance Award for her performance in the musical "Clara." More recently, she represented Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts) as a local finalist in the prestigious August Wilson Monologue competition. Lomax and her band won first place in the 2016 "Bringing Down the House" competition hosted by the House of Blues Music Forward Foundation.

"The City of Chicago is committed to growing and supporting our vibrant arts community, which is why we created the Fifth Star Award, to honor the contributions of our talented artists," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "I want to congratulate Joshlyn for becoming Chicago's 2016 Rising Star, and on her impressive achievements in arts at such a young age. Talented young artists like Joshlyn are the reason Chicago has become a global destination for the arts, and suggest that that the future is bright for our city."

"Our hometown of Chicago is brimming with young people with incredible talent and potential who deserve to be celebrated," said Vicky Dinges, senior vice president, corporate responsibility, Allstate. "We believe good starts young, and we hope the 'Rising Star' award inspires youth to pursue their dreams and realize their full potential - we're so proud to recognize Joshlyn for being a shining example of that drive, passion and commitment."

Inaugurated in 2014, the Fifth Star Awards celebrate Chicago's creativity and recognize institutions and individuals who have made significant contributions in arts and culture. The 2016 honorees are blues legend Buddy Guy; celebrated photographer Victor Skrebneski; actress, educator and theater founder Jackie Taylor; museum founder and educator Carlos Tortolero; and the legendary improv and sketch comedy theater, The Second City.

The free public event will feature electrifying live performances and moving video tributes. Presenters on stage will include American icon and supermodel Cindy Crawford (Victor Skrebneski); actor and comedian Fred Willard (The Second City); Broadway star Chester Gregory(Jackie Taylor); the new "Queen of the Blues," Shemekia Copeland (Buddy Guy); and Angelique Power, president of The Field Foundation of Illinois (Carlos Tortolero). Blues musician Guy King, Sones de México Ensemble, pianist Sebastian Huydts, The Second City andBlack Ensemble Theater will perform-along with event hosts The Q Brothers.

For 2016 event details and to view tribute videos from past years, visit fifthstarawards.org-and join the conversation on Facebook (Fifth Star Awards and Millennium Park), Twitter @fifthstar_CHI and @Millennium_Park and Instagram @Millennium_Park.

The Fifth Star Awards is made possible through generous private support from Allstate Insurance Company, Exelon and GCM Grosvenor. Media support is provided by Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Reader.

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events is dedicated to enriching Chicago's artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago's non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City's future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City's cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors.

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