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Spotlight Education offers next level experiences at Spotlight Showcase 2025 presented by PNC for performers, technicians, publicists and musicians. Click below to learn more about each program and eligibility requirements.

Triple Threat on Hennepin and The Jimmy Awards®

Spotlight Education considers three different areas when selecting Triple Threat on Hennepin performers and Triple Threat New York Experience recipients.

Spotlight Education considers three different areas when selecting Triple Threat on Hennepin performers and Triple Threat New York Experience recipients:

  • Skill level in singing, dancing and acting Technique Authenticity Preparedness in materials, auditions and rehearsals Timeliness

  • Leadership Team-oriented Communication Leadership in high school theater program Collaboration

  • Willingness and opportunity to grow Curious Emotional preparedness Diverse experience

Triple Threat on Hennepin

Junior and senior students with interest or experience in singing, acting, dancing and leadership are invited to apply for Triple Threat on Hennepin with a submission of required materials including: headshot, resume, and video audition. Director references will be requested. Select students will be invited to the live audition where a panel of theater professionals will determine 24 Triple Threat students, who will participate in an intensive coaching, rehearsal and performance process for Spotlight Showcase 2024 presented by PNC in downtown Minneapolis. The 24 triple threats have the option to be considered for the Triple Threat New York Experience OR to become a Minnesota nominee for the National High School Musical Theatre Awards™ (The Jimmy Awards®). Triple Threat New York Experience

The Triple Threat New York Experience is an all-expenses paid trip to New York City, where young artists attend Broadway shows, meet with industry professionals and participate in workshops. After rehearsals, coachings and performing at Spotlight Showcase 2024 presented by PNC, four (4) students of the 24 Triple Threat students are awarded the Triple Threat New York Experience fueled by Sun Country Airlines. National High School Musical Theater Awards (The Jimmy® Awards)

Spotlight Education is proud to participate in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards™ (NHSMTA) program. Triple Threat students are eligible to be one of two participants sent to New York City for nationals. Find qualifying roles at JimmyAwards.com. This all-expenses paid trip is for a rigorous theatre intensive that includes coaching sessions, training, and rehearsals led by some of Broadway’s most accomplished professionals. Nominees will spend ten days in New York City and their efforts throughout the week will lead to one extraordinary talent showcase performed live in front of an audience on a Broadway stage. The National High School Musical Theatre Awards (The Jimmy Awards®) are a national celebration of outstanding student achievement, recognizing individual artistry in vocal, dance and acting performance and elevating the importance of theater arts education in schools. The Jimmy Awards® are presented by The Broadway League Foundation. Minnesota Jimmy Award® Nominees are sponsored by United Properties.

The Jimmy Awards®/The National High School Musical Theatre Awards® (NHSMTA®) program was established in 2009 to elevate the importance of theatre arts education in schools and reward excellence in student performance. Following its continued success, NHSMTA has grown to impact approximately 130,000 students from 2,100 high schools participating in 51 high school musical theatre regional awards programs sponsored by presenters of touring Broadway throughout the United States. Each year, nominees selected by these regional programs travel to New York City to participate in the national competition. The fifteenth annual Jimmy Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, June 24, 2024, when 102 students will make their debuts on a Broadway stage in the talent showcase at the Minskoff Theatre. During this unforgettable event, a panel of judges will select two students for the coveted awards of Best Performance by an Actor and Best Performance by an Actress. Participants in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards will be in New York City from Friday, June 14, 2024, through Tuesday, June 25, 2024. In addition to performing in the awards ceremony, students will participate in master classes and coaching sessions with Broadway coaches and accomplished industry professionals. Since its inception, NHSMTA has been the catalyst for more than $6,000,000 in educational scholarships awarded to deserving young performers. Named for Broadway impresario James M. Nederlander, this year-round program is administered by The Broadway League Foundation Inc., The Broadway League’s charitable division. The Foundation’s mission is to enlighten and increase the public’s knowledge, appreciation, and awareness of the theatrical arts and to provide a forum for the discussion of issues relating to the preservation and promotion of live theatre as a vital and culturally significant artistic medium. The depth, scope, and education-centric mission of the Jimmy Awards coupled with its extensive television and media coverage has made participating in the program an aspiration for a growing number of high schools. Based on feedback from participating theatres, school administrators are now directing both staff and financial resources to improve the quality of theatre arts education in their districts. This renewed enthusiasm for the performing arts in schools is already helping to invigorate local theatres and the communities they serve. For more information, please visit www.JimmyAwards.com.

Technical Theatre Career Pathway

About the program

Graduating senior students with interest or experience in Stage Management, Audio or Lighting are invited to apply for Technical Theater Career Pathway.

Spotlight Education considers three different areas when selecting Career Pathway technicians and Technical Theater New York Experience recipients:

  • Skill level in technical theater Preparedness in materials, interview and rehearsals Organization Innovation and Creativity Timeliness

  • Leadership Team-oriented Communication Leadership in high school theater program Collaboration

  • Willingness and opportunity to grow Curious Emotional preparedness Diverse experience

Student Publicist

About the program

Spotlight students with interest or experience in writing, marketing and social media are invited to apply as a Student Publicist with a submission of required materials including a headshot, resume, writing prompts and supporting documentation (ex. photos, videos, paperwork, etc.) of their work. Working closely with Spotlight staff, two (2) Student Publicists will create content and promote Spotlight Showcase 2024 presented by PNC and surrounding pre/post show events by being creative self-starters who work well under direction and timelines.

Jimmy Awards® Student Reporter Program

Each year, the Jimmy Awards® invites select Student Reporters from participating Regional Awards Programs to cover Jimmy Awards events through social media. The Student Reporter opportunity has been added to the program as an effort to include students who are not eligible to be nominated as performers. This provides a chance to expand connections into local schools’ journalism, film, and other related departments. Student Reporters work directly with the Jimmy Awards Digital team which allows them to receive an insider look at the digital marketing strategy of Jimmy Awards coverage while gaining insight into the field as a whole.

The Jimmy Awards seeks two Student Reporters from around the country to travel to New York and cover the Jimmy Awards on Monday, June 24, 2024, on social media on both the official Jimmy Awards channels and the student reporters’ personal channels. Spotlight Education’s two Student Publicists are eligible to apply as a Jimmy Awards Student Reporter. Students can opt-in to consideration in their application form.

To learn more about The Jimmy Awards Student Reporter program, view their website HERE.

Spotlight Education considers three different areas when selecting Student Publicists:

  • Skill level in social media and storytelling abilities Preparedness in materials, interview and rehearsals Organization Innovation and Creativity Timeliness

  • Leadership Self-sufficiency Communication Leadership in high school theater program Collaboration

  • Willingness and opportunity to grow Curious Emotional preparedness

Student Orchestra

About the program

Student musicians with instrumental interest or experience in musical theater are invited to apply for the Spotlight Orchestra with a submission of required materials including a resume and video audition (a piece of their choosing – no more than three (3) minutes). This experience will include mentorship and rehearsals alongside industry professionals and performing up to five (5) musical numbers in the pit orchestra for Spotlight Showcase at the historic State Theatre in downtown Minneapolis.

Spotlight Education considers three different areas when selecting Spotlight Orchestra musicians:

  • Skill level in musical abilities Technique Preparedness in materials rehearsals Timeliness

  • Leadership Team-oriented Communication Leadership in high school theater program Collaboration

  • Willingness and opportunity to grow Curious Emotional preparedness Diverse experience

Hennepin Arts Education programming helps nearly 8,000 students annually build confidence, critical thinking, empathy, a sense of community, knowledge, and appreciation of theater.

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