HSMTA Students Shine Bright at the 16th Annual Jimmy Awards

Posted on June 25th, 2025

FABIOLA CARABALLO QUIJADA RECOGNIZED AS 2025 JIMMY AWARD WINNER FOR BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS

This marks the second consecutive National High School Musical Theatre Awards® win for a student representing Broadway Dallas’ renowned regional program.

Dallas, TX (June 25, 2025) – As the 2025 winners of Broadway Dallas’ Annual High School Musical Theatre Awards presented by New York Life, Fabiola Caraballo Quijada (Tyler Legacy High School’s Big Fish) and Braedon Carlton (Cleburne High School’s The Addams Family: School Edition) represented Broadway Dallas at the 16th Annual Jimmy Awards® at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway. Both Carlton and Quijada competed in their respective categories for the biggest award of the evening with Quijada ultimately earning the 2025 Jimmy Award for Best Performance by an Actress. This was Quijada’s third year attending the Jimmy Awards®, and this marks the second consecutive Jimmy Awards® win for a student from Broadway Dallas’ High School Musical Theatre Awards program. Last year, Damson Chola Jr. of Cleburne High School received the 2024 Jimmy Award for Best Performance by an Actor.

Hosted by Josh Groban, the 16th annual Jimmy Awards® took place on Monday, June 23, 2025, at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway. Quijada and Carlton were among over 100 selected participants from 55 regional awards programs across the country who spent 10 days in New York City in rehearsals and private coaching sessions at The Juilliard School in preparation for their performance on Broadway.

The National High School Musical Theatre Awards® (the Jimmy Awards®) are a national celebration of outstanding student achievement, recognizing individual artistry in vocal, dance, and acting performance and elevating the importance of theatre arts education in schools. The Jimmy Awards® are presented by The Broadway League Foundation.

“I am beaming with pride after seeing our two Outstanding Lead Performers on a Broadway stage, showcasing their immense talents to the nation,” says Ken Novice, president and CEO of Broadway Dallas. “Braedon and Fabiola were extraordinary, both in their performances and in their representation of Broadway Dallas. Our entire organization is thrilled that Fabiola is bringing home the Jimmy Award for Best Performance by an Actress after her third year participating in the program. It’s truly wonderful to witness. We can’t wait to see what they do next!”

Each year, the Jimmy Awards® celebrate the Best Performance by an Actor and Actress, chosen from a group of talented student performers sponsored by regional awards programs supported by professional theatres. Winners are selected by a panel of industry experts, with the awards named in honor of James M. Nederlander’s dedication to nurturing young talent.

As the recipient of the Best Performance by an Actor, Quijada will receive a $25,000 scholarship. She will attend Texas State University in San Marcos this fall.

“It feels amazing to have been able to achieve a dream of mine three years in the making,” says Quijada. “I am so grateful for all the people who believed in me and helped me get this far, including those at Broadway Dallas who have taught me to challenge and believe in myself. I am blessed to have been given the opportunity to speak up for what means to me on the podium, and I hope I can continue to inspire stories of strength in artists like me on and offstage.”

“My experiences this week were incredible,” says Carlton. “I got to be around so many wonderful actors, talented performers, and artists that are into musical theater just like I am. I got to work with and learn from so many people that have a big say in this business and were willing to share their valuable knowledge with us. It was amazing to get to share my gift and get to be in the presence of so many gifted people who were at the Jimmys this week.”

“Our nonprofit arts organization’s programs continue to grow in terms of the number of students and community members served as well as the individual impact we have on each of their lives,” says Allison Bret, Director of Education and Community Partnerships at Broadway Dallas. “Fabiola and Braedon’s success is a national recognition that Broadway Dallas’ commitment to increased access and inclusion for more students and schools at a local level is a worthwhile investment in the future of the art here and wherever these talented young students’ careers take them.”

The Broadway Dallas High School Musical Theatre Awards presented by New York Life aim to inspire and honor excellence in high school musical theater, and to recognize the importance of musical theater and arts education within the North Texas community. This regional program culminates at the Music Hall with an awards ceremony, modeled after the Tony Awards®, to recognize outstanding musical theater productions and students.

About Broadway Dallas
In 2022, Dallas Summer Musicals changed its name to Broadway Dallas. Since 1941, the non -profit Broadway Dallas has presented the Best of Broadway to North Texas audiences. Located in the historic Music Hall at Fair Park, Broadway Dallas promotes excellence in live musical theatre with year -round performances for diverse audiences of all ages, impacting the lives of children and families through education and community outreach programs, while enriching the cultural landscape of North Texas and the Southwest Region.

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Broadway Dallas relies on a variety of funding sources to offer affordable ticket prices, preserve the beautiful historic theatre, educate young audiences and develop impactful community programs.

Broadway Dallas gratefully acknowledges the support of our season sponsors, annual fund donors and corporate partners Germania Insurance, American Airlines, Texas Instruments, The Dallas Morning News, and WFAA TV Channel 8. For more information about Broadway Dallas, visit our website at BroadwayDallas.org. 

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