The Jimmys Come to A Close

By Monday night, it was official: the cast, crew, even the chaperones of The Jimmys had become "family." Between the last-minute rehearsals, interviews with reporters from the New York Times and other press, the migration to the Skirball Center, NYU for the performance, and other preparations for "curtains up" later that night – the tone was bittersweet. While happy to know that the culmination of their hard work throughout the week was about to come to life, everyone was well aware that this also meant the close of a truly unforgettable weekend.

The 32 students – representing a hodgepodge of hometowns, backgrounds, and performance styles – managed to completely avoid any barriers that may have been present in their diverse group. From the first rehearsal of the week, they brought with them a level of enthusiasm and determination characteristic of true professionals. Working together to master everything from the intricate vocals of their group musical numbers to the songs' even more intricate dance moves, they were able to perfect in a matter of days a performance that would usually entail weeks of prep time.

More than that, the moments in which they came together outside of rehearsal also provided for a better experience than any of them could have hoped for. Most entered the week with the same type of anticipation one would expect from those going away to camp – eager to meet the other students they’d be working and living with for the next five days, but not necessarily expecting anything to last much longer past their departure from New York. Few could have realized that they would walk away from the time at NYU with the types of bonds, many of which are likely the beginnings of lasting friendships, that were formed this past weekend. It took less than a day for the nominees to realize that they were talking, joking, and having as good a time with their new peers as they would be among the company of their best friends back home.

But even as Monday arrived and the clock began to wind down our hours together, there could have hardly been a better way for the event to come to a close. The performance, garnering outstanding reviews from all in attendance, was flawless. The nominees left the audience awestruck (including myself, who had seen it all come together from day one)– but not so awestruck that we were unable to erupt into a standing ovation by the end of the first number. At intermission, the judges found themselves in a position I’m sure few envied as they attempted to select the top four out of the 32 amazing performances they had just seen. The entire group of students cheered when Grace Hardin (CT), Jenny Wine (KS), Stephen Mark (CT), and Kian McCollum (PA) were announced as the four finalists. They cheered even louder when Jenny and Stephen were named as the winners of The Jimmy for Best Actress and Best Actor; each was as happy for their new friends as they would have been if they had been the one receiving the award, NYU scholarship, and $10,000 check (compliments of the generous Nederlander family). The after party, sprinkled with parents, friends, and big-name industry professionals, let everyone enjoy a well-earned chance to unwind. Not to mention, the party room’s dazzling nighttime view of Washington Square left many feeling "on top of the world."

Having returned to real life outside of the NHSMTA "bubble" we resided in for the weekend, it’s clear to see that the journey home was hardly the end of the line for anyone. The nominees, after spending the hours after the after-party exchanging contact information and making the most of their last moments together, are sharing memories and photos from the weekend. (Only two days out, and plans for a reunion are already in the works.)

Ultimately, there's no better characterization of the event than it exceeded all expectations. No one knew what to anticipate when they arrived in New York Thursday evening, not even those who had been meticulously planning the event from day one. And as the weekend unfolded, each day left us more and more pleasantly surprised with the incredible skill and even more incredible bonding that came about… I’m sure that next year’s event will be filled with another round of breathtaking talent and terrific memories. That being said – thanks to the production team, the creative directors, the students, the chaperones, and everyone else whose positive spirit contributed to the success of the weekend – next summer's Jimmys has a pretty daunting task ahead of it. The first-ever National High School Musical Theater Awards will be a near-impossible act to follow.

The Jimmys - Another Visitor Arrives!

Obviously overflowing with pride for a former Point Park student, our program director Kiesha Lalama-White(for all we knew, foregoing the age factor) actually could have been introducing us to her own child. That is, unless the avid So You Think You Can Dance fans in the room hadn’t already recognized the fresh face as one of their favorite dancers of the small screen. Neil Haskell is probably most familiar as a finalist from the last summer's season of the reality dance competition, but his credits hardly end there. Most recently, he starred on Off -Broadway in the Altar Boyz and on Broadway in 9 to 5. Bringing a friendly grin and plenty of encouraging words, general consensus seems to be that his visits on Saturday and Sunday were a great "pick-me-up" for the tirelessly working nominees.

During the Saturday night pasta dinner (thanks, chaperones!), the students were able to ask Neil about everything from his time on the TV dance competition to what it’s like to now work with Dolly Parton. The show, he told everyone, was good because it provided exposure – something that’s absolutely essential to a thriving career in show business. He’s also thrilled with its ability to give dance an unprecedented level of attention. "People who have never watched are paying attention to it." And thanks to the show’s national tour, it’s been really cool for him that the dancers are getting their turn to sell out arenas. As for the Nashville superstar, he said she’s been great to work with. According to Neil, Dolly Parton is both highly involved in the rehearsal process for 9 to 5 and incredibly kind to the cast, often treating the entire group to homemade fudge.

On Sunday, I got catch up with Neil for a few minutes when he returned to sit in on more rounds of student performances. (I should probably point out that, all the while, I’m thinking, "How cool is this? A year ago, I would have never thought I’d get to see my favorite SYTYCD dancer anywhere beyond my living room... Being ‘the blogger girl’ definitely has its perks.") Trying my best to keep my adoration at bay, I listened as the incredibly humble Neil told me about his lifelong passion for the performing arts and gave me his take on the students he had witnessed earlier.

Like many of the nominees, he began performing at a young age. A dancer since he was five, he fell in love with being on stage primarily because he "grew up around it." But, he was quick to add, the adrenaline rush and the thrill of the spotlight didn’t hurt his interest in the area either. After years of working towards his goals, it’s great for him to now be able to reunite with people, like Kiesha, who have helped him along the way. "Kiesha is awesome," he explains, "[as a teacher] she knows how to break you down and build you back up." I’m sure that after working with her themselves, many nominees would definitely understand why Neil feels that the NHSMTA program director was instrumental in making him a stronger performer.

And as for seeing the students who now fill his shoes, Neil has nothing but admiration. "They’re unreal…So far beyond so many kids their age." To the aspiring stars, his biggest advice involves "working as hard as you can" throughout the coming years and avoiding getting too caught up in "the bad things" that may prevent them from succeeding in the industry. The keys to staying strong, he adds, are "training, the right people, [and] perfecting your craft."

If he’s gathered anything else from his years of working in the arts, it’s the importance of setting clear goals for yourself – and then striving to go past them. He affirms, “Always make yourself better than the day before.” Having stood in a position similar to one the nominees are in today, of course Neil is inspiring as a person who’s been able to truly realize their dream. But what may be even more impressive is the fact that, even as a budding celebrity, his passion for what he does and genuine compassion for those around him manages to always shine through.

An Inside View - Days 1 & 2

Still looking to see what it's actually like to be at the National High School Musical Theater Awards?... Check out the photos below for an inside view of life at the Jimmys!

Day 1:

We're here! Arriving at NYU and its Tisch School of the Arts, where a majority of rehearsals and other work done leading up to the event will take place.

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Al Fallick starts a dinnertime "get to know everyone" session in an effort to learn more about the students he'll be working with in the coming days, a gesture that's well received by his fellow nominees...

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Emma Stratton and Chauncey Matthews (left), along with the rest of the students, listen attentively to NHSMTA Music Director Michael Moritz at the first rehearsal session of the event.

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Day 2:

After a morning spent learning choreography and perfecting their solo pieces, everyone looks forward to unwinding during lunch before getting back to work in the afternoon sessions.

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(Left) Everyone was thrilled to "rock out" with Constantine when he stopped by for a visit!

(Right) Seth Miller, Aaron Sauer, Jenny Wine, and Al Fallick are eager to hear what he has to say about the business.

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The Jimmys take on Times Square!

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There was plenty of time to take in the sights before the theater opened for West Side Story.

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For many - especially those who had never been to the Big Apple before - spending the night downtown was the ideal way to bring the second day to a close...

The Jimmys - Day 2

Last evening, around 7:00pm, I found myself standing atop a massive, sparkling-red staircase, surrounded on all sides by the neon lights and city noise of Times Square. Talking, posing for photo-ops, trying to "take it all in," we awaited the opening of the Palace Theatre. In about an hour, we'd be seeing the Tony Award-Winning revival of West Side Story and, following the performance, having a small "meet and greet" with some cast and crew. I sort of had to do a double take as to where I was and what I was actually doing - the kind I've been doing a lot on this trip thus far. And once reality sunk in, needless to say, it was a pretty exciting moment.

But rewind to earlier that day... The Jimmy nominees had just spent their first morning in rehearsals, and (as evidenced by the mix of fatigue and focus on their faces) they were beginning to find themselves actually understanding what was meant when their directors told them the would really be experiencing "life in the theater." Of course, by the sounds and sights of the lightning-paced practices thus far, the struggle is hardly too large of a challenge for them to tackle. After learning the choreography for two numbers and continuing to perfect their vocals (which, from my standpoint, already are sounding amazing) they entered the lunchroom and soon found themselves hosts to a visitor that left some a little starstruck.

Sporting a look that was undeniably characteristic of his rocker persona both on- and offstage, Constantine Maroulis (a finalist on the fourth season of American Idol and a recent Tony Award-nominee for his performance on Broadway in Rock of Ages) arrived to a roomful of students eager to hear his perspective as someone who has succeeded in breaking into the world of performing. Incredibly laid-back and willing to talk candidly with anyone who approached him with questions, he spent the meal hanging out with students - leaving them with the advice to take full advantage of the opportunities that they have been given, remarking that "it's what you make of the program" that makes any experience such as this worthwhile. You could genuinely tell that this was a guy whose fame had done nothing to erode his grounded, compassionate persona. Leaving the visit, he offered his appreciation for the students he had just greeted. "[They're an] inspiration to the future of our business... a really grounded and cool bunch," he said, adding that he was really happy that they have the opportunity to "work, rehearse, and play" at NYU and to take in this type of event.

After an afternoon of further honing of the numbers that they'd be performing at Monday's awards ceremony, West Side Story was definitely the ideal chance for everyone to unwind with new friends while witnessing a stellar revival of one of Broadway's most celebrated classics. Entering the performance, the crew from Pittsburgh was proud to see that two Pittsburgh CLO alumni, Mike Cannon and Eric Hatch, were part of the show and that a recent graduate of Point Park University, Samantha Schaeffer, would be joining the cast onstage in a matter of weeks.
For those who had seen the show before, the translation of several songs and scenes into Spanish assured that the performance was as fresh as ever (in addition to the fact that the performers made it seem as though tonight, months into the run of the show, could have easily been opening night). For those who had never seen the show onstage (like myself), and for those who were newcomers to Broadway altogether, it was impossible not to have been floored by the choreography or impressed by the soul that the actors brought to the entire performance. By curtain call, the upbeat numbers that showcased the show's fiercely-executed choreography, including Anita's fiery rendition of "America" and the Jets' playful slapstick, "Officer Krupke", seemed to stand out as NHSMTA favorites.

Moving front and center in the now-crowdless Palace auditorium, we were soon greeted by several individuals who were responsible for the standing-ovation-inducing performance we had just seen. We learned from Matt Cavenaugh (whom we had just minutes ago known as "Tony") that it's important to take care of yourself amidst a hectic rehearsal schedule. Perhaps more importantly, he stressed that between shows performers need to continue to study their craft so that they can stay at the top of their game and be ready for whatever opportunity may arise. From Greg Vinkler ("Doc") and Steve Basset ("Lt. Schrank") we got to hear a wealth of information from the perspective of two veteran stage actors. These guys offered insight into the rehearsal process, the ways in which individual performers adapt to warm up methods to best suited to their needs, and the paths that each had taken to get to their current role. And from everyone, which also included Roy Miller (one of the show's producers), we got an in-depth explanation of the decision to weave more Spanish throughout the show.

This incredibly enlightening session was brought to a close with words that were particularly comforting to the roomful of students looking to "make it big" in one of the most competitive professions out there - and, really, to anyone who wishes to accomplish something great. Referencing Karen Olivo (who earlier wowed the audience with her strong-willed performance as "Anita") and her recent acceptance speech at the Tonys, one performer quoted her advice with regards to pursuing a dream, "I think if you stick with it and you surround yourself with people who love you, you can do anything."

The Jimmys - Day 1

Wide-eyed and jet-lagged, myself and the other travelers from Pittsburgh filed out of the airport shuttle and across a bustling sidewalk towards our destination, but only after regretting our lack of restraint in filling our suitcases. As we passed through the doors into the lobby of the NYU dorm where we'd be staying, I caught sight of the "campus" - which, by the way, is so immersed within the city that the only obvious way of realizing its presence is by the occasional university flag sticking out of nearby buildings - and there was no denying, we had definitely reached the heart of New York City.

Even up until several days ago, my arrival at the event was still (in my mind) weeks away. But one step inside the dorm - where we were greeted with orange lanyards, welcome packets, and clusters of students sharing our eager-but-undeniably-travel-worn look - and I'm actually able to process it. After months, arguably years, of planning on the part of the production staff, weeks of anticipation by the nominees, and enough frequent-flier miles accumulated to power quite an impressive trip around the globe, the first-ever National High School Musical Theater Awards were officially under way.

Of course, it would be expected that upon getting to NYU, the students competing in the Jimmys, "the best of the best" that high school theater has to offer, would adopt a sort of cutthroat attitude, ready to immediately get down to business, right? Hardly the case. Most, in conversations leading up to the event, were more excited to befriend their peers attending the event than they were to compete against them. Alex Syiek of California summed it up pretty nicely: the thing most are looking forward to, "basically a fun time."
And if Alex's first day in the city was anything like mine, I'm betting it lived up to his expectations. Within half an hour of arriving, Kian and Liz (Best Actor and Best Actress nominees from Pittsburgh) and I were greeted by the smiling faces of Al Fallick and Stephanie Cooksey (nominees from the Tommy Tune Awards in Texas). Several minutes of conversation passed, and I was already beginning to witness the formation of friendships that so many were anticipating. Eager to get to know each other and enjoy the next several hours - perhaps the only significant amount of free time we would get before a nearly nonstop schedule of rehearsals began - we quickly opted to embark on a mini-adventure through Greenwich Village. (Parents: Rest assured, the NHSMTA's did not, in fact, allow five students to wander unattended through the Big Apple, we were accompanied by CLO teacher and chaperone Heather Kronk.)

...Six authentic NYC hot dogs, five new friendships, four conversations surrounding songs choices for the competition, three attempts at finding a Starbucks, two hours worth of city life, and one case of a long (but undeniably scenic) route back to the center of campus later - by the time we returned to Weinstein Residence Hall, I felt as though I had experienced the New York afternoon. But even after the excitement of the previous few hours, the rest of the evening didn't fail to disappoint.

The furniture in the dining hall was re-arranged into a mass dining-room table. We shared stories of their travel to the event, some performers discussed plans for their audition numbers, and a few lucky (very lucky!) participants were even able to boast that they saw Johnny Depp outside on their way to dinner...

For the rest of the evening, there was no time - between meeting everyone, reviewing the schedule for the coming days, receiving news that we were anything-but-done with our share of celebrity interactions for the week, and eventually learning the vocals for two entire musical numbers for the ceremony - for any sense of entitlement or self-concerned attitude among the students. From the outset, I was thrilled to see that no one entered with the desire to outshine all others, and were truly concerned with putting out the best attitude possible. No signs of any divas, or "divos" - just a group of people whose level of enthusiasm is matched only by the level of sheer talent they brought to the competition. Everyone (myself included) arrived, looking to make friends, to learn as much as possible about a field for which they have an enormous level of passion, and to enjoy what is sure to be one of the most influential, most memorable weekends of their life.

Turning "Process" Into A Truly Unforgettable "Product"

The prospective performers aren't the only ones who have plenty to prepare for and look forward to in New York - just ask Kiesha Lalama-White.

Though she is probably most familiar to students involved in Pittsburgh’s Gene Kelly Awards as the woman making sure everyone and everything was exactly where they needed to be backstage, her role in the performing arts world hardly ends there. Having worked for the Pittsburgh CLO for over fifteen years, Kiesha is in her third year as the organization’s Education Director, having been heavily involved in coordinating projects such as the Kellys and similar theatrical programs. On top of that, she has been dancing “since [she] could walk,” has created award-winning choreography for a number of prestigious dance companies and is currently on the faculty of the Performing Arts Dance Department at Pittsburgh's Point Park University. Now, she's bringing this wealth of experience with her as the Program Director and Choreographer for The National High School Musical Theater Awards.

While her job for The Jimmys entails doing many of the same things she encountered in organizing her local awards show – overseeing the judges, contacting teachers from each school, synchronizing contact information, scheduling rehearsals and other events – due to the scale of the national awards program, these tasks add up to “a LOT of prep work.” And, naturally, the fact that this is the inaugural event and the first of its kind brings another level of complexity to the planning, “Because it's a new program, we’ve had to build every idea from the ground up.” But, she says, this has created a great opportunity for collaboration with programs across the country. “If anything it has been extremely beneficial to talk with one another about how each theater runs its own program — to be able to communicate with other programs [in order to] build the national program.”

In working with colleagues to “build” the schedule for the students’ week in New York, Kiesha and her team are striving to create a program that will depict the reality of life as a professional performer. “It's going to be a very quick pace — a week filled with intensive rehearsals. A lot of information and material [will be] thrown at them.” But, no worries! Kiesha is quick to reassure the students. “This is a huge opportunity for everyone involved,” she explains. It is her hope that the time spent working with professionals in the industry, in a city that is the “heart and soul” of Broadway, will be an ultimately rewarding – albeit exhausting – glimpse into their potential futures.

Once the rehearsals are through, Kiesha says the audience at The Jimmys can expect to see a truly “breathtaking” display of talent. “These kids are going to be coming together at one point in time to perform their hearts out,” she remarks, “I think people are going to be blown away by their passion… The energy [that comes from these performers] cannot be put into words.” On top of showcasing these musical theater-hopefuls, Kiesha reveals that the event may also involve Broadway professionals who will present awards, conduct question-and-answer sessions and hold Master Classes throughout the week.

Talk of developing a national musical theater awards program has been abuzz for years, particularly fueled by the enthusiasm of the CLO’s Executive Producer, Van Kaplan. However, Kiesha says that when the vision finally came to life last summer, it was simply a matter of realizing that “no time is better than now.” As someone whose life has been consistently intertwined with the performing arts, she finds programs like this of particular importance. “The educational factor is priceless. Our intent all along has been to provide the best educational experience, but at the same time we want them to have fun, and to truly celebrate the future of musical theater.”

Aside from supervising the administrative details that go into the event, Kiesha is also fortunate enough to be able to utilize her creative talents to develop the overall “vision” of the show. She is working directly with the students involved in staging the evening’s production numbers (the opening and closing songs, and four medleys performed by the Best Actor and Best Actress nominees). She remarks that this is one of her favorite parts of her job, adding that the medleys especially are “so much fun” to put together.

It is evident that despite the months of preparation that have gone into creating the NHS Musical Theater Awards from the ground up, these moments when Kiesha can share her love of performing are what make it all the more worthwhile. “I love the process, that’s my favorite thing,” she reflects. “Watching students rehearse and struggle to get it, then the reward of seeing that curtain and the lights go up, and finally seeing those kids perform, it's just magnificent - the process turning into the product.” If success can be measured by the dedication that Kiesha and everyone else involved has put into the event thus far, the “process” of creating a truly unforgettable “product” is unlikely to disappoint anyone anxiously awaiting June 29th.

So - Who's going to New York City?

As many of you know, the National High School Musical Theater Awards will be showcasing the talent of 32 outstanding high school performers from across the country. But what did it take for these students to get to this point? What does this opportunity mean for them? How do they feel about being able to participate in such a program? What are they looking to gain out of their experience in New York?… Upcoming blog entries will provide answers to these questions and more, offering a firsthand look at several of the Best Actors and Actresses set to compete in the “Jimmys” at the end of June.

“You probably just gave this to me because I was whining…” – Kian McCollum, upon winning the 2009 Gene Kelly Award for Best Actor

…In all honesty, this “whining” probably had a lot to do with why he won. Moments earlier, Kian poured his heart out as Robbie Hart, the down-on-his-luck title character of The Wedding Singer, with his rockin’ rendition of the ballad “Somebody Kill Me.” The hopelessly-lovesick performance embodied every ounce of misery that plagued a post-breakup Robbie, yet still remained genuine enough to capture the crowd’s affections. Clearly, this lament was able to not only show off Kian’s dramatic prowess (and his talent on the acoustic guitar), but also to demonstrated his award-worthy knack for bringing warmth and humor to even the most desperate of characters.

The modesty still had yet to subside even after his acceptance speech. “I still can’t believe it,” he confessed backstage at the ceremony, “look at me, I’m shaking.” He called the victory “a pleasant surprise,” especially after months of having reservations over playing such a well-known character. Throughout the entire rehearsal season, Kian said he struggled to incorporate some of Adam Sandler’s Robbie (from the popular ‘90s film on which the musical is based) without displaying a copycat performance. “I wanted to keep some of the good stuff from him, but also put a little bit of myself into it, too.”

For this avid musician and devoted thespian (who, by the way, was also nominated for Best Actor last year for his portrayal of the Elvis-wannabe, Chad, in All Shook Up), the chance to ascend to competition on a national level is “awesome.” He is eager to embark on his first visit to New York City for the National High School Musical Theater Awards this summer, as well as to meet some “cool kids” that week who share his passion for performing.

Elizabeth Bailey of Pittsburgh CAPA also found herself overwhelmed with excitement after winning Best Actress. She “didn’t know what to do” when her name was announced, saying that she was hardly anticipating winning. “People were telling me, ‘Oh, you have a great chance! You’re going to get it!’, but of course I didn’t want to let anything get to my head.”

Though you wouldn’t know it from the ease and skill with which she performs, Liz is actually a rookie in the world of musical theater. A vocal student at her performing arts high school, her goal for senior year was to try out for the spring show. Going above and beyond her initial ambitions, she impressively managed to garner the lead role in CAPA’s production of Anna Karenina. However, according to Liz, it was hardly an easy road from then on. In her eyes, her character was a complete “emotional wreck,” and trying to convey the turbulent disposition of such a part “took a lot” out of her. “At times I didn’t think I had it in me,” she admitted.

Thankfully, Liz’s willingness to commit to such a complex role undoubtedly paid off. She was thrilled with simply being nominated for Best Actress and loved every minute spent gearing up for the ceremony. Liz felt especially fortunate to have met the other students up for the award, whom she calls “the most amazing group of girls [she’s] ever met.” And she looks forward to encountering more new friendships in New York, excited for “another opportunity to meet everyone who shares the same passion for performing and another chance to meet people with such incredible talent.”

It’s clear that Kian and Liz are both trying to stay as grounded as possible in the coming weeks. Liz is working diligently on preparations for the NHSMTA’s while balancing activities surrounding the end of her senior year of high school. This, consequently, includes making some minor adjustments to her summer plans in order to accommodate her trip to New York, as she joked, “I guess I need to reschedule my grad party!”

As for Kian, he claims that while the buzz surrounding his win has been “wonderful,” his focus at the moment lies on finishing out his junior year and also working on things for the awards in June. “I’ve been kind of hiding from the spotlight, it was way too bright for me, dig?” Something tells me, though, underneath all of the humility at the moment, that the thrill of the spotlight is anything but too bright to handle for either of them.