Illinois High School Musical Theater Awards Winners Announced

Broadway In Chicago has announced the two award recipients from the Second Annual Illinois High School Musical Theater Awards: John Clay III from Oak Park, Ill. (Oak Park River Forest High School) and Taylor Marie Sherry from St. Charles, Ill. (St. Charles North High School), who will represent the state of Illinois at The Jimmy Awards in New York on July 1, 2013.

The finalists (12 young actors & 12 young actresses) participated in the Awards Program on Monday, April 29, 2013 which was held at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place (175 E. Chestnut St.). During the Awards Program, the twenty-four finalists received direct coaching from ANYTHING GOES National Tour cast member Sean McKnight on the number "Anything Goes," which the students performed at the final awards ceremony. The finalists auditioned in front of Chicago's top theater professionals, including Eileen LaCario (Broadway In Chicago's Vice President), Dominic Missimi (Former Director and Founder of Northwestern University's Music Theater program), Sam Samuelson (Film, Television and Theatre Agent, Stewart Talent) and Sean McKnight (Anything Goes National Tour). In addition to their day with the Broadway In Chicago team, all finalists received tickets to see ANYTHING GOES at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.

Winner Taylor Marie Sherry exclaims "I am so looking forward to spending my first time in New York learning from the best in the business! This is a dream come true."

John Clay III added "I am ecstatic to have been given such a wonderful opportunity. To be able to participate in the Jimmy's is a huge honor and keeps me motivated to continue to pour my soul into this risky business."

Taylor Marie Sherry and John Clay III 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, July 1, 2013, where the students will perform at the Minskoff Theatre and a panel of judges will choose two students for the coveted awards of Best Performance by an Actor and Best Performance by an Actress. 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 participate again with a network of theatres across the country participating in The Jimmys.