2 students chosen to represent Central Florida in a Broadway competition in New York

ORLANDO, Fla. – Two talented high school performers have earned the opportunity to showcase their skills on Broadway after emerging victorious at the 11th Annual Applause Awards held at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on May 31.

By clinching the top spots in the Orlando competition, Suliette Ortiz and Adam Bouchachia have secured their places at the prestigious Jimmy Awards in New York City, often likened to the Tony Awards but for high school theatre.

Both Ortiz and Bouchachia will join other winners from around the country to participate in a performance at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre during the Jimmy Awards, showcasing their remarkable talents to a wider audience.

Before that, they will spend a week in New York City where they will participate in theater sessions, which includes coaching and rehearsals with Broadway professionals.

This year’s Applause Awards had more than 400 students from 10 Florida counties all vying for the top honors, marking the largest group since the competition launched at the Dr. Phillips Center in 2015. Along with recognizing the two Jimmy nominees, the awards show also celebrated students across several categories while also distributing more than $50,000 in scholarships.

Since it began, the Applause Awards has impacted 38,000 students and honored 4,400 winners from across Florida.

The program has brought 16 Jimmy Awards nominees, five students earning national recognition in New York City, and two Jimmy Awards winners. The Applause Awards has also provided more than $250 million in scholarships.