SLHSMTA winner Anna Gassett wins in national competition
(St. Louis, MO) – St. Louis’ own Anna Gassett and Michael Harp competed in The Jimmy Awards/National High School Musical Theatre Awards on Monday, June 24 at the Minskoff Theatre in New York City, presented by The Broadway League Foundation. With 86 participants, the evening was hosted by Tony Award-winner Ben Platt. Muny Teen Anna Gassett was awarded Best Dancer, presented by The Shubert Organization. Given to a performer that “demonstrates incredible passion and ability for dance,” Gassett “stood out since day one,” said Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera Executive Producer, Van Kaplan.
“My experience at The Jimmy Awards has been something I will never forget,” said recent Cor Jesu Academy graduate Gassett. “Not only have I grown as an artist, but also I have met so many incredible friends who have similar drive and passion for the art.”
“This trip was an unforgettable moment of my life,” said rising Althoff High School senior Harp.
About The St. Louis High School Musical Theatre Awards
The St. Louis High School Musical Theatre Awards (SLHSMTA) are produced by The Fabulous Fox, The Muny and The Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation. This program is designed to celebrate outstanding achievement in high school musical theatre. Participating schools will have their productions evaluated by a panel of theatre professionals. The year-long adjudication process culminates in an awards ceremony modeled on the Tony Awards©. The winners of the Outstanding Actress and Outstanding Actor categories will travel to New York (all expenses paid) to compete in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (Jimmy Awards©) program and to participate in a week-long professional development experience.
About The Jimmy Awards® / National High School Musical Theatre Awards®
The Jimmy Awards®/The National High School Musical Theatre Awards® (NHSMTA®) program impacts more than 100,000 students who participate in high school musical theatre competitions sponsored by presenters of Touring Broadway productions throughout the United States. Presented by the Broadway League Foundation, the program sends a Best Actress and Best Actor winner from each of these competitions to New York for a week-long theatre intensive of coaching and rehearsals with industry professionals in preparation for a one-night-only talent showcase on Broadway. Named for Broadway impresario James M. Nederlander, the program has been the catalyst for more than $2,000,000 in educational scholarships. The eleventh annual Jimmy Awards will take place on Monday, June 24, 2019 at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway. Coaching and rehearsals for this one-of-a-kind event will be held Monday, June 17, 2019 through Monday, June 24, 2019 in New York City. For more information, please visit www.JimmyAwards.com.
About The Thomas A. Kooyumjian Foundation
The Thomas A. Kooyumjian Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes and in particular to preserve Armenian Culture of Americans of Armenian descent and support other educational and charitable organizations.
*pronounced [coo-YUM-jun]