ORLANDO, Fla. – Two high school performers are heading to Broadway after winning the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts’ 11th Annual Applause Awards on May 31.
Their win in the competition in Orlando secured their spots at the prestigious Jimmy Awards in New York City, which is considered the Tony Awards for high school theatre.
At the Jimmy Awards, Suliette Ortiz and Adam Bouchachia will be part of a showcase along with winners from across the nation in a performance at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre.
Before that, they will spend a week in New York City where they will participate in theater sessions, which includes coaching and rehearsals with Broadway professionals.
This year’s Applause Awards had more than 400 students from 10 Florida counties all vying for the top honors, marking the largest group since the competition launched at the Dr. Phillips Center in 2015. Along with recognizing the two Jimmy nominees, the awards show also celebrated students across several categories while also distributing more than $50,000 in scholarships.
Since it began, the Applause Awards has impacted 38,000 students and honored 4,400 winners from across Florida.
The program has brought 16 Jimmy Awards nominees, five students earning national recognition in New York City, and two Jimmy Awards winners. The Applause Awards has also provided more than $250,000 in scholarships.