The Broadway League Foundation has announced that this year's 14th annual Jimmy Awards, also know as The National High School Musical Theatre Awards, will be hosted by Corbin Bleu. Bleu returns after first hosting the awards in 2021. This year's ceremony will kick off June 26 at 7:30 PM in Broadway's Minskoff Theatre.
The Jimmy Awards recognize the talent of the next generation of theatre artists. The 2023 awards will feature 96 nominees from 48 regional awards programs, recognizing student achievements as well as individual vocal, dance, and acting performances. The showcase culminates the selection of two students by a panel of judges to receive Best Performance by an Actor and Best Performance by an Actress.
One Best Actress and one Best Actor nominee from each local regional ceremony are invited to New York City for a week-long theatre intensive ahead of performing live at The Jimmy Awards in front of an audience on a Broadway stage.
“We are thrilled to welcome back the ever-so talented Corbin Bleu as this year’s host of the Jimmy Awards. His extensive accomplishments across theatre, television, and film serve as great inspiration to the aspiring Jimmy Awards nominees,” said Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League. Bleu is well known for his role in the High School Musical Franchise, and has gone on to star in Broadway's 2019 revival of Kiss Me Kate, Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn, Godspell, and In the Heights. In addition to numerous other credits and honors, Bleu took part in Black Broadway: A Proud History, A Limitless Future and chairs the National Advisory Board of the Looking Ahead Program, a division of the Entertainment Community Fund that works to help professional young performers and their families thrive while facing the challenges of the entertainment industry.
The evening will also honor two teachers who guided and encouraged their students pursuing the performing arts with the Inspiring Teach Award, presented by Wells Fargo.
Founded in 2006 and named for Broadway impresario James M. Nederlander, the program has been the catalyst for more than $6,000,000 in educational scholarships. The Broadway League conducts the program through its philanthropic division The Broadway League Foundation Inc.
Visit JimmyAwards.com.