Applause Awards Program

Celebrate Central Florida's most talented students.

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The Broadway League has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Jimmy Awards^®

“We are heartbroken that so many of the 143,000 students who participate in high school musicals across the country will not have an opportunity to show off their hard work, and that 92 nominees won’t be able to realize their Broadway dreams this year by performing live on a Broadway stage at the Jimmy Awards in New York City," said Charlotte St. Martin, President of the Broadway League.

While the Jimmys are canceled for this year, we are exploring all our options and working through several scenarios for our Applause Awards regional awards program. We will continue to communicate updates as things evolve and become more clear. Thank you all for your patience and understanding during this time. You and your students are in our daily thoughts.

The arts bring us together and keep us inspired. We believe in the value the arts bring to our students’ lives and our community. You are important to us, and we look forward to connecting with you soon.

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Recognizing everyone from set and costume designers to lead actors and actresses, the Applause Awards is a true celebration of all things musical theater. Honoring excellence in high school productions is just the beginning. This program also advocates for the importance of the arts by creating access for students and schools in our community—many of which are Title I.

Through the Applause Awards, they receive valuable feedback and enjoy amazing learning opportunities—like master classes led by touring Broadway artists and performance training workshops—giving them a space to work with their peers and sharpen their skills.

HERE'S HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS

August through April, industry experts review registered productions from more than 30 schools in seven Central Florida counties. Their detailed reviews are then used to determine awards in specific categories, and Dr. Phillips Center hosts a ceremony in June on the Walt Disney Theater stage. Modeled after the Tony Awards®, this high-energy evening includes a performance by almost 500 participating students—plus performances by the nominees for lead actor, lead actress and best musicals.

But it gets even better. Many participants are awarded college scholarships. And every year, one lead actor and one lead actress from the Applause Awards go on to participate in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards™ (NHSMTA)—also known as The Jimmy Awards®—in New York City. Recently, our very own Tony Moreno and Sofia Deler had quite the unforgettable experience, each bringing home a well-deserved Jimmy.

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2020 Applause Awards Participating Schools

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