Our Mission
The Greater Binghamton High School Musical Theatre Awards celebrates talent and creativity in the local community.
We provide resources and support to promote excellence in musical theatre among high school students in the Greater Binghamton area.
Is this program part of the National High School Musical Theatre (Jimmy) Awards?
Is there a fee for students to participate?
Will leading and supporting perfomer nominees compete at the awards ceremony?
Frequently Asked Questions
No. At this time, our region is not eligible to be accepted as a Regional Awards Program for the Jimmy Awards. However, we are open to being a Regional Awards Program should we become eligible in the future.
Schools pay a one-time adjudication fee of $150 to participate. Families of student nominees will need to provide transportation to Binghamton University to attend the workshop, as well as a bagged lunch on workshop days.
All schools will have a nominated lead and supporting actor nominee. Through a callback process, we will determine 5-10 performers in each of the individual categories to perform solo material at the ceremony. All nominees will be featured in production numbers. The awards ceremony will not serve as a competition, but rather a celebration.
Have additional questions?
Send us an email at:
Program Operations Staff
Community and University Volunteers Working to Make Theatre Magic
Logistics Coordinator, Adjudicator Liason,
School Liaison
Jess Brookes
Jess Brookes (she/her) is a native of the Southern Tier and has appeared in numerous productions in the area. After earning a BA in Musical Theatre and Communication Arts Secondary Education from Marywood University, Jess performed regionally and taught students in education programs at Surflight Theatre and Millbrook Playhouse.
Jess discovered a passion for building community arts opportunities for students during the experience of serving as a Teach for America corps member in Memphis, Tennessee. There, she taught Kindergarten, English as a Second Language, and Middle School Theatre over a span of almost a decade. Career highlights include creating a Community Arts Mentorship program for Memphis public school students in her neighborhood, organizing field trips to theatre events, and performing the title role in a regional premier of IncusIVitY: the Ivy Bottini Story with Emerald Theatre Company. Jess was nominated for an Ostrander Award for her performance in Closer Than Ever in collaboration with Southwest Community College.
Outside of acting and organizing, her favorite role is being mama to her two small children.
Logistics Coordinator, Adjudicator
Michelle Kearley Thompson
Michelle Kearley Thompson (she/her) is a trained soprano vocalist of the Muratori Voice Studio. She has performed locally and regionally for over 20 years in the Broome County area. She received her Master of Arts in Teaching English at Binghamton University and teaches 10th grade English at Binghamton High School. Michelle's favorite musical of all time is Ragtime, from which she takes to heart and puts into practice the words of Coalhouse Walker, Jr.: "Your sword can be a sermon, or the power of the pen. Teach every child to raise his voice, and then, my brothers, then - will justice be demanded by ten million righteous men."
University Liason
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