PROVIDENCE, RI (June 6, 2023) – Thomas Jaques ’23 has been selected to represent Rhode Island at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (commonly known as The Jimmy Awards) as part of the 1st Annual Ocean State Star Awards presented by the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC). Jaques will represent Rhode Island as leading male at The Jimmy Awards in New York City on June 26, 2023. As part of the awards, he will perform on the Minskoff Theatre stage, home of Disney’s The Lion King.
The Arts at Bishop Hendricken also earned several additional honors that were announced at the Ocean State Star Awards on Sunday, June 4, 2023. Ava White, a senior from East Greenwich High School and high school career-long performer at Hendricken, was named alternate leading female representing Rhode Island at The Jimmy Awards. White also earned the Spirit Award for her work ethic and attitude during the award show’s rehearsal process as voted on by her peers. Maison Teixeira ’23 was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from PPAC through the Ocean State Star Awards program. The Once Upon a Mattress company was honored with the Community Engagement Award for its student matinee performance and show study guide prepared for local Catholic middle schools.
“We are so grateful to Dana Brazil and the Providence Performing Arts Center for providing our students with this once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Julia Paolino, Director of Arts and Drama Program Coordinator. “The evening was such a gift, not only to the performers and award recipients, but also to the families and teachers who were able to witness their students reach new heights on a professional stage. I have no doubt that we will be seeing many of the evening’s performers back on the PPAC stage in the future as professional Broadway actors. The entire team at Bishop Hendricken is so incredibly proud of our drama students for their well-deserved accolades. They represented our program and school in the best way possible.”
The following individuals were selected by a panel of PPAC adjudicators prior to the ceremony and officially received their honors on the PPAC stage on Sunday evening:
- Thomas Jaques ’23 – Outstanding Lead Performer
- Kaelin Viera – Outstanding Lead Performer, Outstanding Acting Performer
- Ava White – Outstanding Lead Performer
- Justin Estrada ’24 – Outstanding Supporting Performer
- Patrick Cavanagh ’25 – Outstanding Dance Performer
- Zoe Clay – Outstanding Dance Performer
- Julianna Fielding – Outstanding Costume Design
- Massimo Papa ’24 – Rising Star Recognition
- Calista Aguinaldo – Rising Star Recognition
The Ocean State Star Awards program is designed to celebrate, support, and advocate for high school musical theatre education throughout Rhode Island. PPAC is dedicated to not only celebrating high school theater programs, but to recognizing the outstanding achievements of Rhode Island’s high school productions.
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CONTACT: Christian Kabbas
Director of Communications & Marketing
ckabbas@hendricken.com
401.889.5395