A promising young talent from Tinley Park is preparing to represent Illinois on a prestigious stage. In just under two weeks, Logan Arroyo, a dedicated high school student, will take part in the Jimmy Awards, an event that celebrates the best in high school musical theater across the nation.
This exciting opportunity is made possible by Broadway in Chicago, which sponsors the event to encourage and nurture young performers with a passion for the arts. The awards offer a platform for participants to gain invaluable experience and showcase their talents on a national level.
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Logan Arroyo is filled with anticipation and eagerness as the big day approaches. “I just want to go in there, learn from all these incredibly talented people, and absorb everything like a sponge,” he shared enthusiastically. “Opportunities like this don’t come around often, so I want to seize it and make the most of it.”
Arroyo’s journey to the Jimmy Awards has been a testament to his perseverance and dedication. “It took me four years to get here,” he recalled. “My first year, I didn’t make it. The second year, I got nominated, and the third year, nominated again. Now, finally, I’m winning.”
Reflecting on his early love for the stage, Arroyo fondly remembers discovering his passion for theater during a third-grade play. This formative moment sparked a journey that has now led him to one of the most celebrated stages for young performers.
He said he discovered his passion for theater in a third-grade play.
“I had never touched musicals, plays, anything like that. I got into it, and my teacher is like, ‘Hey, you’re really good at this.’ And I was like, ‘Am I?’ I don’t know. And my parents came and saw it. And they were just like, ‘Wow, we didn’t know that you could do that.’ I wouldn’t be where I am now without my parents. I say it’s cliche, but they are my rock,” Arroyo said.
The music director at Lincoln-Way East said Arroyo has a knack for storytelling.
“He did pretty early on indicate he wanted to do this; so I said, ‘let’s go, we’re gonna work hard,” Ann McMann-Kotze said. “Four years ago, my son, Joe, won. He won the best actor at the Illinois High School Musical Theater Awards. And he got to go to the Jimmys. So it’s so fun getting to see Logan go. Also, he’s kind of like another son to me.”
Arroyo said he does sometimes get intimidated.
“It’s a scary place, especially putting yourself out there on a stage or alone. You’re on the edge of this precipice, and you’re pushing yourself. And you’re staying out there, and you’re being you because that’s enough,” Arroyo said.
Arroyo and Jane Nuich of Park Ridge are heading to New York later this week for their Broadway debuts.
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