The seventh annual Jimmy Awards ceremony was hosted by two-time Tony-winner Michael Cerveris who stepped in at the 11th hour for ailing Sutton Foster.
The Jimmy Awards are named in honor of James M. Nederlander-the Broadway theatre owner and producer. His son, James L. Nederlander, current Chairman of The Nederlander Organization, presented both winners with checks for $10,000 apiece to further their education. They will be eligible for a four-year merit and a need-based scholarship to attend the New Studio on Broadway, NYU Tisch School of the Arts Department of Drama, contingent upon acceptance into the program.
Hi! My name is Marla and I was really pumped to get my libretto!
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
I’m Rob.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
This is the journey of our production of Caroline, or Change.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
We are both seniors at The Beacon School
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Here is our first Drama Department meeting in September, when Caroline, or Change was announced.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Rob is the Head of Sound.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Marla is playing Caroline.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
It all started with a photo shoot with Beacon alumna Alexandra Campos
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
And then lots and LOTS of music rehearsal.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
With our lovely Musical Director, and genius, Lilli Wosk.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
And the fabulous Stage Director, Jo Ann Cimato. (Don’t mention how much shorter she is than Marla. She knows.)
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
This Dramaturgy in full swing. Featuring Marla’s Vaseline.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Lots of preliminary set designs were needed to make this show fit into our small black box.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
It’s all smiles in music rehearsal in the cafeteria.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
The foxy radio choreography started out in a math classroom.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
The weather was a huge part of our rehearsal process. Sweatshirts, hats, scarves and Lilli’s fingerless gloves.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Marla, afraid of catching the plague, came to school like this on a snowy 5 degree day.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
A snow day? Whatever. Radio rehearsal via Skype! The blue and white head is Nicole.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
We finally found our Noah, Dylan! And we have matching snow boots.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
He also matches Leo’s concentration face.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Here’s Stella, our stellar AD, and Natasha, Captain Marketing, at the production table.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Our cast is finally complete. Our stage manager, Sophia, says it’s a go!
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
We start with awesome costume fittings featuring Michaella’s Timbs (Those are her boots).
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
This is halfway through sequin dress fittings - there were 15 dresses total by the way. Oy!
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
The scenic build begins! Here’s our climbable washer and dryer cut and built by Addy, Jack, and Elena.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Lucy measuring with her whole person, seriously every square inch.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
We have a moon on the floor, painted by Gavin and Tony.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Raising the roof, quite literally.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Making that radio curtain for the infamous drop.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Sometimes gaff tape holds an ice pack in place when you get hurt, but you know, Elena can take it.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Gavin really wanted to be in this shot with the bus.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Almost as much as I wanted to be in this shot with Tonya Pinkins!
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Strategizing the 58, yes, 58 costume changes.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
RUDY! Thanks for saving our bus/dryer! He’s a Beacon alumna and young professional actor who stepped in TWO DAYS before tech.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
First day of tech! A view from the band.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Applying that yummy stage makeup! Total sarcasm.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Much to Jo’s chagrin, the theatre office is closest thing to a dressing that we’ve got. But we make it work!
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Sound team is just about ready to steal those precious baby hairs on the back of our necks with medical tape. WOO!
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Mic storage, hung and ready to go!
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Who’s ready to bury a mic in your fro? These guys are!
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Stella starts sculpting Grandma Gellman’s crown.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
And I am parting Ana’s hair like a boss.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Tech is time for the finishing touches! Like adding Addy as Betty in the Gellman’s stairwell.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Dylan getting some last minute coaching from his coach Cameron.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
And the boys get some quality time with Brandon.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Kenny, our AMD, as Rose Gellman!
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Michaella cuddling with MLK.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
And FINALLY our audience arrives. This is real.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
The tech team settles as the actors warm up by the piano with Lilli.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Warm up looks like this!
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Marla Louissaint performs “I Got Four Kids”
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Sarah Kristen’s Radio Face
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Dylan Fineman, as Noah. Our Super Boy.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
“Gonna Pass Me A Law”
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Leslie’s heartbreaking, Rose. “Jesus lady! Smile already!”
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
“Roosevelt Petrucius Coleslaw”
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
“I Hate the Bus”
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
“Lot’s Wife” from the soundboard.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
“Salty Tear Drops” in some crazy radio dresses extended by Leigh Wallace.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Willa Grace is the moon.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Backstage water arsenal. Desperate times.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Oh, wait. Jeanine Tesori came to see our play and thought we were crazy amazing.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Then she totally bowed and thanked Marla for her performance and both Lilli and Jo cried. But then Lilli snapped this picture!
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
This is our OMG face!
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Then Sunday came and I found my self sixteen feet below my sheets. (Thank you Rob for that punchline.)
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Until it was time to do some laundry, clean the make up off my costume and start again.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Time to regroup. Reboot. And continue our run. (What is Leslie doing with the bleach jug?)
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Two-show day? Let’s do some yoga.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
And eat some food! (Thank you Beacon Dance Makers for the snacks!)
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Sometimes we nap.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Or snuggle our Besties.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Until it’s time to open the Box Office.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Wait? What? The box office is EMPTY?
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Well then we better get ourselves together for another sold out show!
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Sometimes Photo booth is the best a girl can do in these parts! #makeitwork
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
“Smoke rings! Blow me smoke rings!”
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Trust and Mikki take a spin.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Thibodeaux family dance party.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
These are the swings that were rigged for the little people. Marla and Rob are sad that they’re not allowed to play on them.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Christmas Radio shine, also one of my favorite pictures of Caroline.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
“Lot’s Wife”
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
“Lot’s Wife” again. Because really it’s like two totally different and beautiful songs.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
I slap my best friend across the face during every show (not hard, I promise) but Ana’s reaction is really the best part.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Take a look at this precious face, this is Nicole. Our super Freshman. We’re pretty cool with leaving B’DAT in her capable hands.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Saying farewell to Caroline is going to be rough. But we don’t talk about the dark times.
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
So, thanks for checking us out! Bye!
Marla Louissaint and Rob Silverman-Ascher
Wyndham Rewards will also be giving both winners their first big break later this year, casting them in one of its upcoming national advertising shoots.
Four runners-up each received a $2,500 scholarship toward their future education from the Barry and Fran Weissler Foundation. These winners were Alec Michael Ryan from The Tommy Tune Awards, Drayton Maclean Mayers from The Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards, Morgan Higgins from the M.A.C.Y. Awards and Marnie Quick from the Gene Kelly Awards.
Three additional awards were presented to Madeline Mathias, Ovation Awards in East Lansing (Best Performance in an Ensemble); Rayven Burdette, The Tommy Awards in Madison (Most Improved), Drayton Maclean Mayers, Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards in Memphis (Spirit of the Jimmy Awards). Another student, Kamari A. Saxon, was selected to attend Carnegie Mellon University's six-week Pre-College Drama Program.
Jimmy™ Award winners were selected by a panel of Broadway professionals including Kent Gash (Associate Arts Professor; Founding Director, New Studio on Broadway, NYU Tisch School of the Arts Department of Drama), Rachel Hoffman C.S.A. (Telsey + Company), Alecia Parker (Executive Producer, National Artists Management Company), Tara Rubin C.S.A. (Tara Rubin Casting), Nick Scandalios (Executive Vice President, The Nederlander Organization), Thomas Schumacher (President, Disney Theatrical Group), and Bernie Telsey C.S.A. (Telsey + Company).
