Two Barrington High School students have been named finalists for the Illinois High School Musical Theater Awards, or IHSMTA
The IHSMTA are the Illinois chapter of the National High School Musical Theatre Awards. Broadway In Chicago is committed to emerging performers, and is thrilled to highlight the talent of Illinois students. As a chapter of the National program, The IHSMTA is a celebration of outstanding student achievement in high school musical theater. The program recognizes individual artistry in vocal, dance and acting performance, as well as honors teachers and their schools' commitment to excellence in performing arts education.
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 from all over the state.
“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,” said Lou Raizin, President of Broadway in Chicago.
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™.
"We are excited to bring this national awards program awards to Illinois. This is a chance to focus on the talent here in our state, as well as encourage students to follow their dreams." Raizin said.
The student finalists:
| 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 |
