The Spirit of the Jimmys award is voted on by participants and recognizes a person who embodies what The Jimmy Awards are all about, the importance of arts education and rewarding excellence. The award is presented by Music Theatre International and includes a $2,500 scholarship.
The Special Recognition Scholarship recognizes six individuals with $2,500 to further their education. This award is presented by Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc. and is selected by coaches and judges of the Jimmy Awards program.
Valentin took part in the event after winning best actress at the inaugural Center Stage High School Musical Theater Awards, an education initiative of the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. Valentin is a recent graduate of Green Bay West High School.
Both Valentin and best actor Felix Torrez of Green Bay Southwest High School represented the Center Stage Awards at The Jimmy Awards. Joined by other regional award winners from across the country, the students participated in nine days of workshops and rehearsals with professional artists before making their Broadway debut at the Minskoff Theater (the current Broadway home to The Lion King).
Torrez was selected to perform in a medley for the awards ceremony, having the opportunity to sing a solo from his role as Beast in Southwest High School's Beauty and the Beast.
The Jimmy Awards were hosted this year by Ben Platt, who recently won the Tony Award for his performance as Evan Hansen in Dear Evan Hansen.
"We are so incredibly proud of both of our students," said Trisha Witt, director of marketing and communications. "They were fantastic representatives of the Fox Cities P.A.C. and high school musical theater throughout Northeast Wisconsin."
Throughout the 2016-17 school year, 14 local high schools have participated in the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Awards program, an education initiative that celebrates and supports the achievements of high school theater programs in Northeastern Wisconsin.
During the program, participating students had the opportunity to attend six workshops at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center with professional touring artists to learn, ask questions and try new things to give them a deeper understanding of professional theater.
Additional partners in this program include workshop and rehearsal partner Schneider Foundation, social media partner Nicolet National Bank, Community Engagement Award partner Wipfli, LLP, and sound, lighting and production partner Lighthouse Productions.
This program is also funded in part by a grant from the Jewelers Mutual Charitable Giving Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region and by a Community Impact Grant from 91.1 The Avenue.
ABOUT THE JIMMY AWARDSABOUT THE FOX CITIES PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts and cultural education organization located in downtown Appleton, provides a premier venue for live performing arts. Since 2002, the Center has proudly served as a gathering place for the community to engage in educational opportunities while enhancing a greater understanding and appreciation of life through the live performing arts. The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center - Where the Arts Come Alive!
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