Broadway In Chicago is proud to announce the finalists for the 2012 Illinois High School Musical Theater Awards

 

NAME HOMETOWN HIGH SCHOOL
Sam Babic Cary Cary-Grove High School
Ilana Braverman Vernon Hills Adlai Stevenson High School
Addie Burich Deerfield Deerfield High School
Eyeri Cabrera-Loos Chicago Chicago High School for the Arts
Kevin Casson Plainfield Plainfield South High School
Kyrie Courter Chicago Chicago High School for the Arts
Harrison Fox South Barrington Barrington High School
Wesley Hunt Peoria Dunlap High School
Jayne Jaeger Clarendon Hills Hinsdale Central High School
Christopher Kelley Flossmoor Homewood-Flossmoor High School
Tyler Leahy Clarendon Hills Hinsdale Central High School
Seamus McMahon Evanston Saint Ignatius College Prep
Theresa Moen Lisle Benet Academy
Meadow Nguy O'Fallon O'Fallon Township High School
Nicholas Olson Hawthorn Woods Adlai Stevenson High School
Megan Orticelli Northbrook Glenbrook North High School
Shea Pender Oak Lawn Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School
Grace Petit Arlington Heights John Hersey High School
Valerie Pizzato Palatine William Fremd High School
Jordan Puhala Crystal Lake Crystal Lake Central High School
Nathan Salstone Northbrook Glenbrook North High School
Andrea Schumann Barrington Barrington High School
Ryan Smetana New Lenox Lincoln Way East High School
Sheila Wilhelmi Cary Cary-Grove High School

The finalists have been invited to participate in the Awards program, which will be held at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place on Monday, May 7, 2012.

In its inaugural year, the Awards program received over 50 applicants, high school students from all parts of the state of Illinois, from O'Fallon, Illinois to as far north as Cary, Illinois, as well as from Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

“It has been very exciting to have reached so many talented young men and women from all over Illinois in the first year of the program. We look forward to an awards day that will both showcase these young peoples' talent, as well as give them a unique opportunity to work with top talent in the theatre industry,”
- Lou Raizin, President, Broadway In Chicago
Jersey Boys
Finalists will receive direction and coaching from JERSEY BOYS National Tour cast members. The cast members will teach the high school students the closing number from JERSEY BOYS, which the students will perform at the final awards ceremony at the conclusion of Monday's events. All finalists received tickets to see JERSEY BOYS.

Judges for the 2012 Illinois High School Musical Theater Awards
    •     PJ Powers, Artistic Director, Timeline Theatre Company
    •     Sam Samuelson, Film, Television and Theatre Agent, Stewart Talent
    •     Nick Cosgrove, Frankie Valli, Jersey Boys National Tour
    •     Eileen LaCario, Vice President, Broadway In Chicago

Group on stage
National High School Musical Theater Awards, Credit : Henry McGee
The National High School Musical Theater Awards

From the twenty-four finalists, one actor and one actress will be chosen to represent Illinois in the finals in New York. These two talented young stars will be provided with an all-expense paid trip to participate in a performance enrichment program, representing the state of Illinois at the National High School Musical Theater Awards, on Broadway, on Monday, June 25, 2012. The National High School Musical Theater Awards, also known as The Jimmy™ Awards, are named for legendary Broadway theater owner and producer James M. Nederlander. Broadway In Chicago is a Nederlander presentation, and is excited to join the network of theatres across the country participating in The Jimmys™.