7/11/2024
Education and Outreach
Luke Martin and Marie Munoz flew to Manhattan for last month’s Jimmy Awards prioritizing the vast learning opportunities over the chance to win money and fame. But naturally, the two high school students’ competitive side came out as the field began to narrow.
“People describe it like The Hunger Games, and that feeling of moving through the ranks was so exhilarating,” Martin says. 
Martin and Munoz, who punched their ticket to the Jimmys by winning May’s Nevada High School Musical Theater Awards at The Smith Center, became the first Nevada pair to reach the Jimmys’ Character Medley round in the same year. Out of 102 total participants, they were among just 40 (20 actors and 20 actresses) chosen for that honor – which qualified them for the chance to perform onstage at Broadway’s famed Minskoff Theatre during a prestigious event livestreamed on both YouTube and Facebook.
“It was like a huge weight lifted off our shoulders, because that was our goal when we went, to perform in the character medley,” Martin says.
Even better, Munoz says, “We were both in the same medley, so that was pretty perfect.”
Above all, however, both local students – who will begin their senior year at Bishop Gorman High School this fall – emphasize the overall Jimmy Awards experience over the competition aspect. 
That included receiving professional coaching and taking part in rehearsals at the renowned Juilliard School, getting to know their fellow participants from around the nation and just soaking up the New York City theater vibe.
“It was amazing to be in a room with people who have the same goal as you,” Munoz says. “It gave me a new perspective on performing and really opened my eyes up to what theater really is.”
Adds Martin, “I've never been with a more talented group of people. We all have the same dream, and we got to live our dream and perform on a Broadway stage.”
Martin and Munoz both shined in the character medley spotlight – Martin performing “Who Am I” as Jean Valjean and Munoz performing On My Own” as Eponine, both from Les Misérables.
And then Jimmy Awards host Josh Groban read out the final four actors and actresses, all of whom would receive $5,000 scholarships and perform solos later in the night for the chance to win this year’s Best Performance by an Actor and Best Performance by an Actress awards. And Martin heard his name called out.
“It was like a dream,” says Martin, who sang “At the Fountain” from Sweet Smell of Success in the finals. “I've watched so many finalist videos, and I was in that place. … I kind of just blacked out. And then I just forgot about all the shock, all the nerves, and it's like, I gotta do this. I have to survive. And I just went for it.”
Damson Chola Jr. from Dallas ultimately captured the award, joining Gretchen Shope from East Lansing, Michigan, as this year’s top recipients, but both of Nevada’s representatives made their mark – and both are already receiving attention for their excellence.
“The Jimmy Awards really opens up a door, and we’ve been getting a lot of emails,” Munoz says. “That's super-exciting, because I always had a fear that theater was just a high school thing for me, and I always wanted to take it somewhere bigger. And now after being on that stage and meeting all those people and getting that experience and studying under some musical geniuses, I feel like I can go out into the world and pursue that, that it's possible.”
Summarized Martin: “Having the Jimmy Awards on your résumé says a lot to casting directors and auditions, because people know that you've gone through the rigorous reality of Broadway theater. And by getting to the character group, you have a self-tape on YouTube that they can just go to and watch. It's a huge platform – and a big opportunity.”
Photo Credits:
Photo One: Luke Martin performs during the character medley at the 2024 Jimmy Awards in New York City, while Marie Munoz (far right) provides ensemble vocals (Photo by Tricia Baron)
Photo Two: Marie Munoz performs during the character medley at the 2024 Jimmy Awards in New York City (Photo by Tricia Baron)