Two outstanding high school performers will represent the Florida region on Broadway after being named winners of the 11th Annual Applause Awards at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Suliette Ortiz and Adam Bouchachia earned the coveted honor on Saturday, May 31, 2025, in front of a sold-out crowd inside Walt Disney Theater, securing their spots at the prestigious Jimmy Awards in New York City.

The Jimmy Awards, often called the "Tony Awards for high school theater," will showcase the region's top talent alongside winners from across the nation in a one-night-only performance at Broadway's Minskoff Theatre.

“It's been such a whirlwind but getting to create and perform on stage—this experience has meant everything to me,” said Bouchachia, a rising junior at Lake Nona High School. “I've built relationships that will last a lifetime, and this year taught me to recognize my worth. I'm headed to the Jimmy Awards, and it still feels unreal.”

This year's competition drew record participation, with over 400 students from 10 Florida counties competing for the top honors – the largest group since the program launched in 2015. Beyond recognizing the two Applause Awards Jimmy nominees, the evening celebrated excellence across multiple categories while distributing more than $50,000 in scholarships to 39 deserving students.

“I can't believe it—there's so much talent here and so many deserving people,” said Ortiz, who earlier this week graduated from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. “I'm incredibly grateful, honored and just so happy. It means the world to make my parents proud.”

Both winners will spend a week in New York City participating in a theater intensive, including coaching and rehearsals with Broadway professionals before taking the stage at the Minskoff Theatre. "Every year, these students light up the Walt Disney Theater with incredible talent and energy," said Kathy Ramsberger, president and CEO of Dr. Phillips Center. "Their performances demonstrate exactly why the arts matter so much. With support from our sponsors and donors, we're celebrating their dreams and helping launch the next generation of performers, creators and changemakers." The Tony Awards-style ceremony was directed by Broadway veteran Ray Roderick and hosted by Michael James Scott, a Broadway star and Dr. Phillips High School alumnus known for his role in Disney's Aladdin.

Program Impact

Since its inception, the Applause Awards has impacted 38,000 students and honored 4,400 winners from across Florida. The program has produced 16 Jimmy Awards nominees, with five students earning national recognition in New York City and two named Jimmy Awards winners. Additionally, the Applause Awards has provided over $250 million in scholarships to deserving college-bound students.

Event Support

This event is 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.

A list of all winning schools is available here.

To learn more about the Applause Awards and to get involved, visit drphillipscenter.org.