Interview: Emily Escobar wins Scholarship from THE JIMMY AWARDS at Minskoff Theatre

Little did Emily Escobar realize that her performance in Alonso High School's Zombie Prom as Toffee would earn her a nomination as Outstanding Actress.

She landed a spot in The Broadway Star of the Future Awards Showcase, Tampa Bay area's regional awards program affiliated with the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (The Jimmy Awards).

At the close of the showcase on June 3, Emily won an opportunity to represent the Straz Center in The Jimmy Awards, during an all-expense paid trip to New York City, presented by The Broadway League Foundation. She performed alongside other regional winners at the Jimmy Awards in New York on June 25. The entire show was streamed live on Facebook via the Jimmy Awards Facebook page.

"It was so surreal," Emily said. "It was definitely an opportunity of a lifetime - getting the opportunity to perform and work with all these professionals and other nominees who were absolutely incredible."

Emily and the other young actors had the opportunity to work with professional directors, coaches, producers, meet with agents and casting directors during 9-days of training, workshops, rehearsals and master classes with Broadway professionals like the cast of Dear Evan Hansen.

"We worked with some pretty amazing people. We did a talkback with the cast of Dear Evan Hansen. It was so awesome to have Tampa Bay's hometown hero Taylor Trensch as the title name. We also met Pasek and Paul," she said. "I just kept thinking I am so grateful for everything that has been placed before me."

The nominees practiced choreography with Wayne Cilento, one of the original performers of A Chorus Line and choreographer for Wicked for their dance auditions. But it wasn't just the recognized names that Emily appreciated.

"Everyone that we met was like meeting a celebrity. I was star-struck by the interns," she said. "I'm very honored to have performed with 79 other nominees and with my fellow nominee from Tampa, Noah Diggs. It was really refreshing to have all our hard work - from rehearsal to a week of learning - just pay off at the end. It's very humbling to know I gave my all as a performer with all the other performers right by my side."

At the close of the The Jimmy Awards, Emily was one of six recipients to win a $3,000 scholarship toward her future education from BNY Mellon. Emily has been accepted to New York University, Tisch School of the Arts in the fall.

Emily offered sage advice to any young boy or girl who saw her on Facebook Live, looking to follow in her footsteps:

"You are wonderfully you. You offer something no one else can offer and that's really special. You have a support system in your family, your friends, and your teachers, so do what you love because there's no sense in living a life where you don't pursue your passion. You not only benefit yourself, but everyone around you," she said. "Everyone can make a difference and have an impact."

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