Local Students Perform in N.Y.C. on Broadway at The Jimmy Awards
The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center is proud to announce Jennifer Duarte Castillo and Noah Rass made their debut on a Broadway stage at the 15th annual The Jimmy Awards®/National High School Musical Theatre Awards®. The national showcase was hosted by Josh Groban, singer, actor and recent star of Broadway’s revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
Jennifer Duarte Castillo of Green Bay East High School and Noah Rass of Southern Door High School were nominated for their leading performances after an adjudication process and chosen though a subsequent audition process to represent Northeastern Wisconsin through the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program.
As part of the National High School Musical Theatre experience, Jennifer and Noah and 100 fellow high school students from across the country had the opportunity to learn from Broadway professionals. They spent 10 days in workshops and rehearsals leading up to the June 24, 2024 performance on stage at the Minskoff Theater (currently the Broadway home to Disney’s The Lion King). The duo also attended the 77th Annual Tony Awards®, enjoyed dinner at the famous Sardi’s restaurant and experienced Broadway’s MJ The Musical.
Jennifer Duarte Castillo was nominated for Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role for her role as Matilda Wormwood in Green Bay East High School’s production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical. Jennifer is a recent graduate of Green Bay East High School with plans to study at UW Madison this fall. She performed in the feature production number at The Jimmy Awards.
Noah Rass was nominated for Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role for his role as Bert in Southern Door High School’s production of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins. Noah is a recent graduate of Southern Door High School with plans to study at UW Stevens Point. He performed in the feature production number at The Jimmy Awards.
ABOUT THE 2023-24 CENTER STAGE HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATER PROGRAM
Throughout the 2023-24 school year, approximately 2,000 students from 31 local high schools have participated in the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program, an education initiative that celebrates and supports the achievements of high school theater programs in Northeastern Wisconsin.
This year’s participating high schools include Appleton East, Ashwaubenon, Brillion, Chilton, De Pere, Denmark, Fox Valley Lutheran, Green Bay East, Green Bay Southwest, Green Bay West, Hortonville, Kaukauna, Little Chute, Luxemburg-Casco, Manitowoc Lincoln, Menasha, Mishicot, Neenah, New London, Notre Dame de la Baie Academy, Oshkosh North, Oshkosh West, Preble, Pulaski, Shawano Community, Southern Door, St. Francis Xavier, St. Mary Catholic, Two Rivers, Weyauwega-Fremont and Winnebago Lutheran Academy.
During the program year, participating students had the opportunity to attend workshops with professional artists, ask questions and explore different aspects of theater, giving them a deeper understanding of the live performing arts industry, focusing on a variety of skills including dancing, singing, technical theater, comedy and acting (monologue).
This season marked the 8th anniversary of the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program building confidence, collaboration and creativity while supporting and celebrating the achievements of high school musical theater throughout Northeast Wisconsin. Participating high school students share their talents with the community at the end of each season in an evening of performances, recognition and a Tony Awards®-style red carpet experience at the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Showcase.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
The Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program is an educational initiative of the Fox Cities P.A.C. with support from corporate partner Fox Communities Credit Union.
Additional partners in this program include Johnson Financial Group, Nicolet National Bank, Angelo & Jennifer Ninivaggi, Schneider Foundation, Skogen’s Festival Foods, WFRV and Wipfli. Programs like the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program are also supported in part by contributions to the Center’s Annual Partner Campaign.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE AWARDS
The Jimmy Awards®/The National High School Musical Theatre Awards® (NHSMTA®) program impacts approximately 130,000 students who participate in 51 regional high school musical theatre competitions sponsored by presenters of touring Broadway productions throughout the United States. Named for Broadway impresario James M. Nederlander, the program has been the catalyst for more than $6,000,000 in educational scholarships since its launch in 2009. Presented by The Broadway League Foundation, Inc., the NHSMTA invited two nominees from each local regional ceremony to New York City for a rigorous theatre intensive that included coaching sessions, training, and rehearsing led by some of Broadway’s most accomplished professionals. Nominees spent ten days in New York City from Friday, June 14, 2024,through Tuesday, June 25, 2024, and their efforts throughout the week led to one extraordinary talent showcase performed live in front of an audience on a Broadway stage. The fifteenth annual Jimmy Awards took place on Monday, June 24, 2024, at the Minskoff Theatre. For more information, please visit www.JimmyAwards.com.