An Orlando student recently won national recognition at the 16th Annual Jimmy Awards in New York City, earning a $5,000 scholarship and a spot among the nation’s brightest young musical theater talent.
After being named Male Jimmy Nominee at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Art’s 11th Annual Applause Awards, Orlando student Adam Bouchachia earned national recognition in New York City. The Lake Nona High School rising junior placed as a top four finalist for the Best Performance by an Actor award, which earned him a $5,000 scholarship and a spot among the nation’s brightest young musical theater talent.
The Jimmy Awards, often referred to as the “Tony Awards for high school theater,” featured 110 nominees from 55 regional awards programs, highlighting the nation’s top talent in a one-night-only performance at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre.
“Adam brought his best and truly lit up one of Broadway’s biggest stages Monday night,” said Ryan Simpson, education director at Dr. Phillips Center. “His talent, discipline and passion really stood out. He represented the Applause Awards and Orlando’s theater community with pride—we are thrilled to see one of our own named a finalist. We’re so proud of him and excited to see all the amazing things he’ll do next.”
After earning Male Jimmy Nominee at the arts center’s 11th Annual Applause Awards for his standout performance as Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Bouchachia headed to New York City for a weeklong theater intensive. He trained with Broadway professionals through coaching sessions and rehearsals, all building up to his debut inside Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre at the 2025 Jimmy Awards.
Since its inception, Dr. Phillips Center’s Applause Awards has produced 18 Jimmy Awards nominees, with six students earning national recognition in New York City and two named Jimmy Awards winners – Sophia Deler and Tony Moreno.
The Dr. Phillips Center said the 11th Annual Applause Awards was made possible through the support of AdventHealth, American Momentum Bank, Chesley G. Magruder Foundation, Chick-fil-A Greater Orlando Area, Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation, Experience Kissimmee, Florida Theatrical Association, Isermann Family Foundation, Orlando Magic Youth Foundation, OUC – The Reliable One, PepsiCo, Publix Super Market Charities and Savannah College of Art and Design. In-kind video production support provided by Adrenaline Films.
