NEW YORK (WLS) — Jamaur Houston is gearing up to compete against teenagers from all over the country for a Jimmy Award, representing both Illinois and his hometown, Chicago.

The musical theater standout said he’s ready for the bright lights of Broadway.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Jamaur Houston and Sophia Leverett won the Illinois High School Musical Theatre Award, presented by Broadway in Chicago last month.

Now, it’s on to the Jimmys in New York.

“It’s a bit nerve-wracking since there are 110 nominees. It’s a larger group, but I trust in myself. I’m participating for the experience, to learn, and to enjoy the journey,” Houston expressed.

Houston grew up in Humboldt Park, and just graduated from the Chicago Academy for the Arts. He’s always been a showstopper.

“In fourth grade, I did my first musical, ‘The Lion King,’ and I’ve been doing it ever since,” Houston said.

“During church, he would shout, sweat, and put on quite the show. Everyone loved it, even when he was a young boy,” his mother, Jayla Cosby, shared. “I feel incredibly proud; there’s a lump in my throat. ‘Oh my God, this is my child. Look at him. He’s really achieving this.’ I was amazed, seeing him do flips. Where did he get that from? How did he learn it?”

Teacher Andy Robinson said he was a gifted student.

“A lot of talents he didn’t even know he had, he’s an elite dancer,” Robinson said. “For the first time in our academy history, he double majored in dance and musical theatre. I think he has an energy and openness about him that is incredibly charismatic.”

“I want my love for art to just bloom even more than it has before; I just want to always have that passion,” Houston said.