June 9, 2025 – For the fourth year in a row, Douglas Anderson Theatre had a student win the Applause Awards at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando. Outstanding Lead Performer Winner Suliette Ortiz was selected as overall Female Winner, chosen to represent the Applause Awards at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (also known as the “Jimmy’s”) on the Minskoff Theatre stage (home to Broadway’s "The Lion King”) at the end of June. Suliette was honored for her role as Diana in “Next to Normal.”
In addition, Sophomore Alayna Martus was named Female 1st Runner-Up for her role as Natalie in "Next to Normal.” Freshman Josef Wright was named Male 1st Runner-Up for his role as Hermes in “Hadestown.” Josef received the “Spirit of the Applause Awards,” complete with a $2,500 scholarship and words from the CEO and President of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Katherine Ramsberger.
Senior Miles Melanson was named a Top Four Finalist for his role as Orpheus in “Hadestown.” All four finalists will receive scholarships of $500.
Additional $1,000 Scholarships were given to DA Theatre students George Eastman (a Lead Performer Winner this year for "Next to Normal” and last year’s Jimmy nominee), Haiden Matthews (Winner: Outstanding Actor), Miles Melanson (Winner: Lead Performer), JonAshton Reid (Winner: Supporting Performer), Thomas Tedder (Nominee: Outstanding Dancer), Gali Barak (Winner: Outstanding Set Design), and Grace Klefman (Nominee: Lead Performer and Outstanding Dancer).
The 11th Annual Applause Awards was hosted by Broadway performer Michael James Scott (“Something Rotten,” “All Shook Up”), who currently holds the record as the longest-playing Genie in Broadway’s “Aladdin.”
DA Alumnus (class of 2024) Emma Cate Davis co-hosted the event with Scott. Emma was last year’s Jimmy nominee for her role as Natasha in “Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812.”
In addition to the awards of the night, DA also received 30 wins for its two eligible productions, including being named the Outstanding Musical Winners. The casts of “Next to Normal” and “Hadestown” performed a medley from their shows on the Walt Disney Stage. Faculty honors include Mike Beaman (Outstanding Director), Jennifer Kilgore (Outstanding Scenic and Lighting Designs), Joshua Cook (Outstanding Music Director), Ellie Potts Barrett (Outstanding Choreography), and Joe Kemper (Outstanding Director).
DA’s pit Orchestra for HADESTOWN also won Best Orchestra (prepared by Ben Gerrard). Two members from DA Instrumental also earned the opportunity to play in the Applause Awards ceremony Orchestra: Michael Mollison (Violin) and Richard Wilson (Oboe).
Suliette will be among 102 other winners from across the country to compete at the Jimmy Awards, where they will be housed in the Juilliard dorms, take masterclasses with the industry’s top professionals, and prepare for the ceremony, widely considered the “NFL Draft for Broadway.”
This year's Jimmy Awards will take place on June 23 and will be hosted again by recording artist and performer Josh Groban. Judges for the past ceremony have included composer Alan Menken, casting director Bernard Telsey, producer Marc Platt, and Tony-nominated actress Montego Glover.
About the JIMMY’S: 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.
Photo by GeekChick Photography
Article submitted by Jay Franklin, Assistant Principal at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts