Triple Threat on Hennepin and The Jimmy Awards®

About the program

Junior and senior students with interest or experience in singing, acting, dancing and leadership are invited to apply for Triple Threat on Hennepin. Select students are invited to the live audition where a panel of theater professionals determine 24 Triple Threat students, who participate in an intensive coaching, rehearsal and performance process for Spotlight Showcase. 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®).

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. Select students are invited to the live audition where a panel of theater professionals determine 24 Triple Threat students, who participate in an intensive coaching, rehearsal and performance process for Spotlight Showcase. 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. Based on their leadership, engagement and performance throughout Spotlight Showcase, four Triple Threat students are awarded the Triple Threat New York Experience.

National High School Musical Theatre Awards® (The Jimmy Awards®)

Spotlight Education is proud to participate in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards® (NHSMTA®) program. Triple Threat students who received an Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role are eligible for consideration as one of two nominees sent to New York City for the Jimmy Awards®. The all-expenses-paid, ten-day experience includes rehearsals, masterclasses, private coaching and interviews with theater professionals leading up to the live awards show 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 theatre arts education in schools. The Jimmy Awards are presented by The Broadway League Foundation. Find qualifying roles at JimmyAwards.com.

The National High School Musical Theatre Awards® (NHSMTA®), otherwise known as the Jimmy Awards®, was established in 2009 by Pittsburgh CLO and Nederlander Alliances, a division of The Nederlander Organization, to elevate the importance of theatre arts education in schools and reward excellence in student performance. Since then, the Jimmy Awards/NHSMTA has been the catalyst for more than $6 million 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.

Over the years, the Jimmy Awards/NHSMTA has grown to include 55 affiliated regional high school musical theatre awards programs in communities throughout the United States and impacts approximately 150,000 students from 2,300 high schools. Sponsored annually by presenters of touring Broadway, nominees selected by these regional competitions travel to New York City to participate in the national program, a rigorous theatre intensive that includes coaching sessions, training, and rehearsals led by some of Broadway’s most accomplished professionals, culminating in an extraordinary, one-night-only talent showcase.

The depth, scope, and education-centric mission of the NHSMTA coupled with its extensive television and media exposure 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 human 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.

The NHSMTA program takes place annually in June in New York City. The Jimmy Awards ceremony is presented on Broadway at a Nederlander theatre.