The Jimmy Awards

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2026 Inspiring Teacher Award, presented by MJ the Musical! Kristy Kosko of Greece Arcadia High School in Rochester, NY, and Peter Smeallie of Albert Einstein High School in Washington, D.C., were introduced by Samuel Nelson lll and honored for providing valuable guidance and encouragement to their students and school communities. Kristy and Peter were nominated for their recognition last spring by 2025 Jimmy Award nominees.

Grateful to have made something beautiful with Bowen Yang at the helm ❤️

Thank you CHIMNEY TOWN for sponsoring our Heart of the Jimmys Award! 💜 Presented by Akihiro Nishino, this award recognizes a nominee for exemplifying stellar community support to their peers. This year’s recipient is Towdah Denis Kiima of Broadway Dallas High School Musical Theatre Awards in Dallas, TX!

Here’s Towdah performing “Road to Hell” from HADESTOWN during a character medley at the 2026 Jimmy Awards.

Thank you Big Bus Tours for presenting our Spirit of the Jimmys Award! ❤️ Presented to Alec Avila of The Arshties in Miami, FL, this award recognizes a nominee who embodies the spirit of this musical theatre celebration.

Here’s Alec performing in “A Tribute to the 30th Anniversary of CHICAGO” at the 2026 Jimmy Awards. Watch the full performance on our channel.

Congratulations to Carter James Pflug of Nebraska Theater Academy in Omaha, NE, presented with the 2026 Rising Star Award for impressive advancement during the Jimmy Awards program. ❤️

Here’s Carter performing in the Opening Number at the 2026 Jimmy Awards. Watch the full performance on our channel.

Shut up and dance with me! 🕺 2013 and 2015 nominee McKenzie Kurtz, currently performing in SCHMIGADOON, and 2021 nominee Miguel Gil, currently performing in THE LOST BOYS, joined the 2026 nominees for the Closing Number.

SHUT UP AND DANCE
From the Musical Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Written by Benjamin Berger, Eli Maiman, Ryan McMahon, Nicholas Petricca, Kevin Ray, Sean Waugman
Published by Sony Music Publishing (US) LLC, Warner Chappell Music Limited. administered by Sony Music Publishing (US) LLC, 424 Church Street, Suite 1200, Nashville, TN 37219. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

See the light! 💛 Here are the 2026 nominees performing “Coming Out of the Dark” from ON YOUR FEET with 2025 winner Fabiola Caraballo Quijada, currently starring in the National Tour of & JULIET, as part of the Closing Number.

COMING OUT OF THE DARK
From the Musical On Your Feet!
Written by Gloria Estefan, Emilio Estefan, and Joe Secada
Published by Universal Musica Inc DBA Universal Musica Publishing; A/C Foreign Imported productions and Publishing Inc., 2105 Colorado Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90404

2022 winner Nicholas Barrón, currently in RAGTIME, performed “The River of Dreams” from MOVIN’ OUT with the 2026 nominees as part of the Closing Number 🩵

THE RIVER OF DREAMS
From the Musical Movin' Out
Written by Billy Joel
Published by Impulsive Music, Universal Music Publishing Group

Thank you to the John Gore Organization for co-presenting our Outstanding Performance in an Ensemble Awards! 💛 These awards recognize six nominees for outstanding collaboration during the Jimmy Awards program. Meet one of this year’s winners, Hayden Hooper of The Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards in Memphis, TN!

Here’s Hayden performing in the Opening Number at the 2026 Jimmy Awards. Watch the full performance on our channel.