DA's CHICAGO Wins 15 Prestigious Applause Awards; Samantha Nelson Advances to Jimmy's for Second Time

In May, it was announced that DA’s fall musical, CHICAGO, won 15 Applause Awards!

• Outstanding Musical

• Outstanding Director - Bradley Akers

• Outstanding Choreographer - Ellie Potts Barrett

• Outstanding Lead Performer - Brennan Mitchell (Amos Hart)

• Outstanding Lead Performer - Christina Dyches (Velma Kelly)

• Outstanding Lead Performer - DJ DeJesus (Billy Flynn)

• Outstanding Lead Performer - Samantha Nelson (Velma Kelly)

• Outstanding Lead Performer Honorable Mention - Samia Dumesle (Matron)

• Outstanding Stage Manager - Charlee Lawrence

• Outstanding Supporting Performer - Jace Felix (Emcee)

• Outstanding Dancer - Alex Agaliotis

• Outstanding Dancer - Chris Agaliotis

• Outstanding Orchestra

• Outstanding Sound Design - Alanna Cooper and Rick Painter

• Outstanding Ensemble

• Scholarship Winners - Samantha Nelson, Jhalena Sulcer and Kaley Hylton

• Best Performance by an Actress Winner - Samantha Nelson

See all Applause Award winners here.

What are the Applause Awards?

Each year, a panel of 12 Florida casting agents select nearly 300 students from 33 high schools in seven counties to participate in this high-energy evening—featuring live performances of winners in the Outstanding Musical category and culminating in the announcement of who will represent the Applause Awards in New York City at the Jimmy Awards.

Modeled after the Tony Awards®, the Applause Awards is held annually in early June and directed and hosted by Broadway veterans. Thousands of dollars in scholarships are given to college-bound seniors. Two overall winners are selected to advance to the National High School Musical Theatre Awards®, known as The Jimmy Awards®, for an opportunity of a lifetime to compete among the next generation of Broadway stars in New York City. https://www.jimmyawards.com/