Two Central Florida students chosen for New York Broadway competition

ORLANDO, Fla. – Two high school talents are bound for Broadway after clinching victories at the 11th Annual Applause Awards hosted by the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on May 31.

Their triumph in the Orlando event has earned them a place at the esteemed Jimmy Awards in New York City, which is akin to the Tony Awards but for high school theater.

During the Jimmy Awards, Suliette Ortiz and Adam Bouchachia will perform alongside fellow winners from around the country in a showcase at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre.

Before that, they will spend a week in New York City where they will participate in theater sessions, which includes coaching and rehearsals with Broadway professionals.

This year’s Applause Awards had more than 400 students from 10 Florida counties all vying for the top honors, marking the largest group since the competition launched at the Dr. Phillips Center in 2015. Along with recognizing the two Jimmy nominees, the awards show also celebrated students across several categories while also distributing more than $50,000 in scholarships.

Since it began, the Applause Awards has impacted 38,000 students and honored 4,400 winners from across Florida.

The program has brought 16 Jimmy Awards nominees, five students earning national recognition in New York City, and two Jimmy Awards winners. The Applause Awards has also provided more than $250 million in scholarships.