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! 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, on Monday, June 27, 2016 at the Minskoff Theatre. This year's awards ceremony is hosted by Zachary Levi who is currently starring in Roundabout Theatre Company's She Loves Me on Broadway. He was nominated for a 2016 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for his portrayal of Georg.

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.

Below, we feature a few of the winners and nominees who talk about their journey to the Jimmys!

Denver - Bobby G Awards

Curtis Salinger: Curtis Salinger, winner of the 2016 Bobby G Awards for Best Actor, talks about his family connection with the Bobby G Awards. He says, "My interesting family connection to the Bobby G Awards. My brother, Evatt, won the Bobby G Award for Outstanding Actor last year. He was the one who really inspired me to continue and pursue theatre, and I've been watching him on stage for as long as I can remember. Watching him have so much fun and get so much support was something that really gave me the 'oomph' it took to join in, and I'm so glad I did. Our family was so, so excited and blown away when he won. For me, it became my dream. I'm so fortunate that this dream came true." Read more here.

Charlotte Movizzo: Charlotte Movizzo, winner of the 2016 Bobby G Awards for Best Actress, shares how her life has changed since winning the award. She says, "I have had some incredible opportunities. I was invited to sing to perform before the DCPA board, and at the Randy Weeks Memorial Golf Tournament, which raised more than $91,000 for the advancement of musical theatre for Colorado high-school students. Both events showed me what incredible people there are supporting the program, and high-school theatre. Otherwise, I have been very busy practicing and preparing music for New York." Read more here.

Cleveland - Dazzle Awards

J.R. Heckman and Kate Klika: Winners J.R. Heckman and Kate Klika talk about their experiences, thoughts and excitement as they represent Northeast Ohio on their journey to the Jimmys. Check out their video blog here!

Atlanta, GA - Shuler Hensley Awards

Will Davis and Shelbea Owens: Will Davis and Shelbea Owens, winners of the 2016 Shuler Hensley Awards, are presenting a video blog on their experiences in NYC as they prepare for the Jimmys. Check out their video blog here.

North Carolina - The Blumey Awards

Emma VanDeVelde: Emma VanDeVelde, nominee of the 2016 Blumey Awards, shares what it was like during the awards ceremony. She says, "Perhaps my favorite moment of the evening was witnessing the reactions of the 5 nominees who didn't hear their name called. When Justin Rivers was announced as the winner of the Best Actor category, all of his fellow nominees possessed looks of genuine pride in their new friend. Michael Julliard, a 4 time Blumey nominee (2 years for Best Actor), tearfully and literally jumped for joy out of excitement for Justin. To me, that picture is what the Blumeys are about--celebrating high school theater selflessly and unconditionally-allowing for the night to be a celebration, not simply a competition." Read more 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 ten-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.

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.

The Broadway League administers the program through The Broadway League Foundation, which acts as its philanthropic arm. Part of the Foundation's mission is to enlighten and increase the public's knowledge, appreciation and awareness of the theatrical arts, and since its founding in 1993 has supported a number of projects to help preserve Broadway's heritage and introduce new audiences to Broadway theatre. The Foundation is a corporation organized under the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law of the State of New York, the purposes of which are exclusively charitable as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Donations to support the program can be made at NHSMTA.COM.

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

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