The National High School Musical Theatre Awards, known as the Jimmy Awards, recognize exceptional high school theater talent across the U.S. With about 150,000 students competing nationally, the nominees are selected through regional competitions. They gather in New York City for intense rehearsals over 10 days, culminating in a performance at the Minskoff Theatre. Notable nominees, like Hayden Poe and Jayden Vega, express the challenges and joys of the experience, emphasizing camaraderie among peers and the fulfillment of their dreams in theater. The awards celebrate the best actor and actress, honoring Broadway legend Jimmy Nederlander.
"It's hard," says Hayden Poe, nominated for his performance as Hermes in Dalton (Ga.) High School's production of Hadestown: Teen Edition. "We work our voices and we work our bodies, but the kindness and the love and the friendship gets us through."
Jayden Vega, a rising senior from Tampa, Fla., nominated for his leading role in Urinetown, says the schedule is grueling. "We have breakfast at 7:30, our first rehearsal starts at 8:30 and we end at 8:30 [p.m.], and from then we meet with our pods like our little family for this week," he says. "We're working long days, but it's so worth it."
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