ASU Gammage hosts annual High School Musical Theatre Awards

ASU Gammage hosted the annual High School Musical Theatre Awards, an opportunity for young Valley artists to be celebrated and showcase their skills, on May 27. The ceremony is the predecessor for the Jimmy Awards, a national event held annually in New York City at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre.  

“It’s a night of recognition, praise and celebration for all of the talented, skilled and crafted performances put on by our high school students — and year after year, we happen to have a lot of talent in front of the stage curtain and behind it,” said Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, executive director of ASU Gammage. “These students are the future professional actors, actresses, stage managers, tech directors and creatives who will continue to keep this signature American art form alive.” 

This year, 400 performers from 25 high schools walked the red carpet, performed a number from their school production, and learned which finalists ultimately became the winners of 14 performance and technical categories.   

Award categories range from Excellence in Stage Management to Best Vocalist, and nominees performed highlights of their performances on a world-class stage.  

Chandler High School won Best Musical for its second year in a row for its production of "Anastasia." This was the school’s third time winning Best Musical in the four years it’s participated.   

Alyse Negroni from Hamilton High School is this year’s Best Lead Female winner, and Denver Dickenson from Casteel High School is this year’s Best Lead Male. Negroni and Dickenson are nominees for the Jimmy Awards and will head to the Big Apple for a week of intensive training before performing and competing in the national ceremony on June 26.  

You can watch the Arizona nominees compete via the livestream.