Meet the 2026 Jimmy Award-Winners!

Summary

The Broadway Show: Uncut

Episode: Meet the 2026 Jimmy Award-Winners!

Date: June 24, 2026
Host: Tamsen Fadal, with interviewer Paul Wontorek
Guests: 2026 Jimmy Award winners Samia Posadas (Georgia) and Jake James (Arizona)

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Episode Overview

This episode celebrates the 2026 Jimmy Award winners, highlighting the next generation of Broadway stars. Host Tamsen Fadal and correspondent Paul Wontorek interview Samia Posadas and Jake James about their life-changing Jimmy Awards experiences, their journeys through high school theater, the impact of community, and their dreams for the future. The conversation delves into their award-winning performances, the significance of representing their regions, and what the “Broadway of tomorrow” looks like through the eyes of these talented young artists.

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Key Highlights & Discussion Points

1. The Jimmy Awards Experience

[00:41–02:18]

• Initial Reactions: Both winners are overwhelmed and elated, describing emotions as “through the roof” (Samia) and “over the moon” (Jake).
• The Intensive Process: The week leading up to the awards is described as a whirlwind of activity, learning, and anticipation.
  • Samia: “It really felt like it was all leading up to that big moment. And it was just so rewarding once we got there. Like, biggest weight off our shoulders.” [01:13]
• Performing at the Minskoff Theater:
  • Jake: “It was truly electric...We couldn’t hear the music. People started singing, we were like, oh, shoot, it’s time to start singing...the audience’s volume was absolutely insane. Like, unlike anything that I’ve ever experienced before.” [01:40]
• Backstage Atmosphere:
  • Samia: “Very organized. Organized chaos. I mean, you go into the dressing room and everyone’s running around doing things. So it was really cool to have that experience.” [02:18]

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2. High School Theater Journeys

[02:38–04:44]

• Regional Competitions: Both entered the Jimmy Awards through regional wins (Atlanta, Georgia for Samia; Arizona for Jake).
• Selection Processes:
  • Jake’s regional involved medleys, finalists, and solos (more competition-driven).
  • Samia’s was focused on auditions/interviews and community (winners decided pre-show; show is celebratory).
• Paths to Musical Theater:
  • Samia: Took musical theater seriously starting freshman year.
  • Jake: Also deeply involved in high school theater, building up from earlier experiences.

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3. Tackling Mature Roles

[05:01–06:37]

• Award-Winning Performances:
  • Jake played Alice in Bright Star: “Parts of it I can’t necessarily relate to directly. Certain aspects and certain emotions...But that song 'If You Knew My Story' – everyone can relate to that. It’s like, you have no idea what I’ve been through.” [05:23]
  • Samia played Jacob in Water for Elephants: “I had a hard time relating to the grief aspect...This is the first time I attacked a role without really knowing how to go about relating to the character...It was a really good learning experience.” [05:55]

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4. Impact of Community & Representation

[06:37–10:28]

• Carrying Big Roles While in High School:
  • Samia: “You never know how a role is going to resonate with someone in the audience...Working on those roles is really intricate in what the audience is going to think about it.” [06:37]
• Breaking Stereotypes about High School Theater:
  • Recognition that high school students often take on complex material (e.g., Hadestown is popular among nominees).
• Origins & Community:
  • Jake: Found theater as a comfort during a rough freshman year, with Legally Blonde as the turning point.
  • Samia: Started in eighth grade; fell in love with the community through Newsies Jr. and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.
    • Samia: “These are the people that I want to be around.” [09:01]
• Giving Back and Inspiration:
  • Jake: “I’m a mosaic of everyone that has shaped me, and I think it’s beautiful.” [10:17]
  • Samia: “The main [reason] is to inspire, to storytell, and to be inspired... To give that back by giving them [my community] that sense of ‘I can do it too.’” [10:37]

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5. Looking Ahead: College, Senior Year, and Dreams

[11:04–14:08]

• Next Life Steps:
  • Jake is heading to USC for college, excited and a bit nervous for new adventures: “There was a lot of beauty in me being able to relate to [the song 'Where Am I Now?'], because I am at a stage in my life where...it’s unprecedented.” [13:03]
  • Samia returns for senior year of high school.
• The Pressure & Mindset of the Jimmy Awards Path:
  • Knowing about the possibility of the Jimmys can change how high schoolers approach theater (“Does it add pressure?”).
  • Jake: “At the end of the day, I’m doing it ‘cause I love it, not because I want to get to some level of this competition.” [12:29]
• Song Choices in the Finals:
  • Jake performed “Where Am I Now?” (Lysistrata Jones), a rare song reflecting her journey.
  • Samia sang from Parade, chosen for its personal connection to Marietta and its history:
    • Samia: “It meant so much to be able to tell that story. And I worked so hard to be as respectful and as representative as I could to that community...” [14:54]

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6. Memorable Quotes & Rapid-Fire Fun

[15:25–18:53]

• On Trophies & Memorabilia:
  • Jake: “I have all my New York Times papers that the Jimmies put our headshots in...I guess my mom will be able to admire that while I’m gone, miles away.” [15:37]
• Broadway Star You’re Dying to Meet:
  • Samia: “Nicholas Christopher. I want to meet him so bad.” [16:05]
  • Jake: “Tom Francis.” [16:09]
• Most Played Cast Albums:
  • Samia: “Waitress.” [16:21]
  • Jake: “Sunset Boulevard.” [16:23]
• Role You Could Learn in a Week:
  • Samia: “Pony Boy Curtis in Outsiders. I would do that tomorrow if I could.” [16:52]
  • Jake: “Eliza in Hamilton.” [16:59]

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7. Favorite New York & Jimmy’s Week Moments

[17:18–18:28]

• Jake’s Highlight:
  • Describes a nighttime bus tour with Samia, overlooking the New York skyline:
    • “It was one of those moments where when you’re in it, you want to stay there forever because you feel like you’re going to miss it when it’s gone...City of dreams. It was unreal.” [17:18]
• Samia’s Highlight:
  • Being inspired by watching other nominees perform:
    • “Everyone on this stage is, like, so right here with each other. Like, it’s crazy how talented everyone is...I got shivers watching people.” [18:28]
• Their Friendship: They connected from the start as part of the same “Jimmy pod,” supporting each other through the entire process.

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Notable Quotes

• “I’m a mosaic of everyone that has shaped me, and I think it’s beautiful.” – Jake James [10:17]
• “The main reason I do theater is to inspire, to storytell, and to be inspired.” – Samia Posadas [10:37]
• “At the end of the day, I’m doing it ‘cause I love it, not because I want to get to some level of this competition.” – Jake James [12:29]
• “It was one of those moments where when you’re in it, you want to stay there forever because you feel like you’re going to miss it when it’s gone...City of dreams. It was unreal.” – Jake James [17:18]
• “Watching them and being able to be inspired by them and, like, take things from their performances was just...amazing. Like, I got shivers watching people.” – Samia Posadas [18:28]

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Key Timestamps

• 00:41–02:18: Initial emotions, performing at the Minskoff, backstage energy
• 02:38–04:44: Regional award process, high school theater journeys
• 05:01–06:37: Portraying mature roles, connecting with characters
• 06:37–10:28: Impact of community, theater as inspiration
• 11:04–14:08: College plans, pressure of the Jimmys, song choices
• 15:25–18:28: Rapid-fire Q&A, favorite NYC/Jimmy’s moments, support networks

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Episode Tone

• Warm, enthusiastic, and celebratory
• Inspiring stories and candid sharing
• A genuine sense of community, gratitude, and ambition

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Summary

This episode offers a heartfelt and insightful look at the Jimmy Awards through the eyes of its 2026 winners, Samia Posadas and Jake James. Listeners hear firsthand the exhilaration of performing on Broadway, the importance of embracing complex roles, and the lifelong value of supportive communities. The conversation is filled with memorable quotes, moments of laughter and reflection, and advice for aspiring performers. The future of Broadway shines bright through these voices, marked by their passion, humility, and hope.

Transcript

[Tamsen Fadal]

It's the Broadway show Uncut. I'm so glad you're joining us. I'm Tamsen Fadal. Broadway's biggest night's in the books, but we're also excited to talk about the future of Broadway, the stars of tomorrow, and the Jimmy Awards. The Jimmy Awards is a huge and amazing event that happens in New York City every year, featuring the absolute best of the best musical theater talent from high schools all across America. These incredible high school student performers take part by winning a regional competition. The regionals happen in around 40 cities all over America. Here's Paul Wontorek with the winners of the 2026 Jimmy Awards.

[Paul Wontorek]

Samia Posadas, Jake James. 2026 Jimmy Award winners. How are you guys doing? It just happened last night. Where are the Emotions?

[Samia Posadas]

I mean, through the roof.

[Paul Wontorek]

Did you sleep?

[Jake James]

Absolutely. Over the moon. Over the moon, yeah.

[Paul Wontorek]

So you've just finished a week and a half in New York City, Right. And it's this intense, like the Jimmy and Jimmy's Intensive. What was this experience like leading up to the big night at the Minsk Off?

[Samia Posadas]

Yeah. So, I mean, it was. It happened so fast. It was like, you know, you wake up, you do this, you go to sleep, you wake up again, you go to sleep, and then it's every day something new. You're learning something new, you're doing more things. And it kind of like it really felt like it was all leading up to that big moment. And it was just so rewarding once we got there. Like, biggest weight off our shoulders.

[Paul Wontorek]

That audience last night. What. I mean, I saw you both and a lot of your new friends, your high school theater friends. I saw a lot of you react to the audience because it's really, like, thunderous. At the Minskoff Theater. What was it like being on that stage?

[Jake James]

It was truly electric. Jake and I were just talking about it earlier that literally we walked out for the opening number during the drum roll and we couldn't hear the music. People started singing. We were like, oh, shoot, it's time to start singing. Cause the energy and the audience's. Just the volume in there was absolutely insane. Like, unlike anything that I've ever experienced before. It was crazy.

[Paul Wontorek]

Wow. I mean, did you all. What was it like backstage? What was it like with everyone? Sort of. I mean, I feel like everyone's very focused on the task at hand. Right. Theater kids, like, let's get really focused and do the thing. But the excitement level, what was it like? Just sort of being in the wings and being a part of that night.

[Samia Posadas]

Yeah. It was very professional because we're working with the people who work in the Minskoff on a daily basis. So it was, like, really cool to be there with them and working alongside them. But, yeah, it was very organized. Organized chaos. I think backstage. I mean, you go into the dressing room and everyone's, like, running around doing things. So it was really cool to have that experience. Yeah.

[Jake James]

Yeah, for sure.

[Paul Wontorek]

So you. How many people in the. How many did. You've been at the Jimmy's before? This is your third year at the Jimmy's, right? This is your first time. Were you involved in musical theater your whole high school?

[Samia Posadas]

Yeah, I've been doing musical theater. I started taking it seriously my freshman year. So, like, three years ago. Yeah.

[Paul Wontorek]

Okay. And so. And you, too?

[Jake James]

Yes.

[Paul Wontorek]

So tell me, like, how many roles did you. So you were obviously. Let me get through this. So you were honored for. You both were honored for musicals that I love, that are kind of not big blockbuster musicals. But you played Jacob in Water for Elephants, and you played Alice and Bright Star. I love both of those. Both of those shows. So the way that Jimmy's works is that it's two winners from each of these regional awards. So you both won awards and you won. Actually, I was sitting across from Schuler Hensley last night, and you won the Schuler Hensley award. Fantastic Tony winning actor. So it was fun watching him. He was very excited to see one of his winners win. And you won. So you're from Atlanta.

[Samia Posadas]

Yes.

[Paul Wontorek]

You're from Georgia, and you're from Arizona. So you won the regional awards. And when did that happen? Like, when did those awards happen?

[Jake James]

Mine were on May 14th, actually. May 17th. Yes, May 17th.

[Paul Wontorek]

Okay, so it's recent.

[Samia Posadas]

Yeah, like, two months, a month ago. Yeah, I can't think right now, but, yeah, it was. It was very soon.

[Paul Wontorek]

So you, like, win the original award. You find out that. And when you win the original award, I have a lot of questions about the Jimmy's because I love experiencing it. So the people that vote in the original awards, do they see the performances or they see what you do at the awards show?

[Jake James]

It depends on the program. So, for example, for my program, we, similar to the Jimmies, we had an adjudication in front of our judges. Like, I think it was maybe a week before our actual show. And then at the ceremony, just like the Jimmies, we performed our medleys, and then they selected finalists, and the finalists performed their solos, and then they selected the winners. So that's how mine works. But.

[Paul Wontorek]

Right.

[Samia Posadas]

So at mine we do two rounds of auditions and an interview. We do a lot of things so that they know your character too, because they want to know who they're sending to represent the state. The winners are already decided before we even start working on the show.

[Paul Wontorek]

And.

[Samia Posadas]

And so that whole week is just about having fun with your fellow nominees and then you perform and it's just showing off. Like, honestly, you're not adjudicated there or anything. And then the winners are announced. So it's a lot more fun to have it in less of a competition atmosphere. Very different from here.

[Paul Wontorek]

I'm just thinking both of those roles, Alice and Jake, are very mature roles. Yes. Those are both like, very adult characters who have a lot of stuff going on.

[Samia Posadas]

Right.

[Paul Wontorek]

They've lived lives and it's kind of like the amazing thing about high school musicals is getting to see young performers inhabit roles like that. Is that easy for you to click into? I mean, Alice has a crazy story that we find out in Bright Star.

[Jake James]

Yeah, it was one of the most challenging things I've ever had to do or perform, especially just because her story is so rich and parts of it I can't necessarily relate to directly in my own life, of course, certain aspects and certain emotions and certain. Certain scenarios. She was 17ish when she got pregnant. And I think having the privilege of telling her story and the whole song, if you knew my story, everyone can relate to that. It's like you have no idea what I've been through. And I think that's always really important.

[Paul Wontorek]

What about Jacob? Yeah, he's a dark, dark guy.

[Samia Posadas]

Yeah. Very similar to Samia. I had a hard time relating to the grief aspect. And so I think this is the first time I attacked a role without really knowing how to go about relating to the character. So finding different ways to do that, I think was a really good learning experience. And I can, like, take that with me to whatever role I play next.

[Paul Wontorek]

Yeah, I mean, the Jimmy's are really a celebration of what, you know, theater does for kids in high schools and in schools around the country and the world. So I'm wondering, what is it like being in high school and carrying around roles like that? I mean, you just talk about sort of. It's like a whole other level that you're sort of working on at the same time as being a student. And what. And what does that do to your experience?

[Samia Posadas]

Yeah, I think you never know how a role is going to resonate with someone in the audience. And so hearing that feedback is very different because you expect things and then people will tell you something and you're like, oh, I never thought about that. Thank you so much. So I think working on those roles is really intricate in what the audience is going to think about it.

[Paul Wontorek]

Yeah, I feel like it's probably. You probably both have a lot going on in your heads, and you have the ability to sort of take on big roles because a lot of people maybe mistakenly assume that kids doing theater are doing sort of, like, lightweight things. Right. So it's interesting, the musicals that are being done, I mean, I learned last night Hadestown is clearly being done everywhere.

[Tamsen Fadal]

Yes.

[Paul Wontorek]

There's a lot of Hadestown nominees. So it's interesting the shows that high school performers are sort of digging into. I love thinking about that. And, you know, we really want to encourage. Encourage people and young kids to get involved in theater. Right. Were you scared at all entering? Think back to when you first started your high school careers. Like, what led you to those first moments of being like, I want to do this. You go first.

[Jake James]

All right, well, okay. So my freshman year, I was just in a very low place in my life for my first semester. And then my second semester was when I decided to try out for the spring musical, which was Legally Blonde. That year. And previously, I had only done theater third through eighth grade, I did one show, and it was always a Disney Junior show. So I did, like, Lion King junior Like Beauty and the Beast Junior like, et cetera, like all of those Disney Junior shows. So Legally Blonde was an incredibly monstrous task for me to take on, considering it was my first, like, quote unquote, real show.

[Paul Wontorek]

And I was past.

[Jake James]

As Elle Woods.

[Paul Wontorek]

Yes.

[Jake James]

As a freshman, as this little, like, five foot, like, Asian girl that's wearing a blonde wig on this stage. It was absolutely insane. But for sure, it definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone, both in my school, just because I was a freshman and I cared so much about what people thought at the time. So it really taught me a lot about myself as a human and as a performer in general. It was crazy.

[Paul Wontorek]

Wow. What about you? How did it start for you?

[Samia Posadas]

Yeah, I started, I think, in eighth grade is when I started the journey of, like, oh, maybe I do want to do this. Actually, I played Jack Kelly and Newsies Jr. And I mean, I just loved the role. It was the second time I did the show, but first time I played Jack and I just fell in love with the character. And then once I got to freshman year, I played Monte Navarro in A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, and that just changed My life, like, I never had so much fun on stage, and. And me. There's the Dye Squiff family is another character, and we made. Had the best bond, and we, like, we became such good friends through that. And I was like, these are the people that I want to be around.

[Paul Wontorek]

Yeah. So it's really about finding your community.

[Samia Posadas]

It really is.

[Jake James]

It really is. Yeah.

[Paul Wontorek]

Yeah. What is it like thinking about those communities? I mean, you're sort of representing them by being here in New York and celebrating these. Obviously, you did these incredible performances in high school, but you had amazing companies behind you, and you both kind of acknowledged that in your speeches last night.

[Samia Posadas]

Yes.

[Paul Wontorek]

What is it like thinking about those communities and how those relationships sort of lift you up in moments like this?

[Jake James]

I think. I mean, at least for me, I have learned. So I don't think I would be the performer I am without my community and my true. My theater troupe back at home in Tucson. And I think in having the honor and opportunity to kind of perform, like, the role that I played in our school show at such literally on a Broadway stage at this high level is me. It's kind of my way of giving back to them in a way, because, like, parts of me as a performer are because of them. So therefore, I'm gifting that to whoever, whichever audience is watching me on that stage. And I don't think it's necessarily myself, but, like, I'm a mosaic of everyone that has shaped me, and I think it's beautiful.

[Paul Wontorek]

I'm thinking of a wicked song for good.

[Jake James]

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.

[Paul Wontorek]

I mean, those emotions are true. The same for you?

[Samia Posadas]

Yeah.

[Paul Wontorek]

Yeah.

[Samia Posadas]

There are many reasons that I do theater. I think the main one is to inspire, to storytell, and to be inspired. And so to be able to be here representing the people who inspire me at home and be able to give that back by giving them that sense of I can do it too, and I can do this, and, like, I'm such good friends with them. I just feel like that's such a wholesome moment to think back. Like, this is where I came from, from Georgia, and these are the people that I grew up with, and that's just amazing.

[Paul Wontorek]

You both have incredible voices. I want to see you play all kinds of roles now.

[Samia Posadas]

Thank you so much.

[Paul Wontorek]

And I actually realized I saw you on Instagram because you're one of the many people who did the Nicholas Christopher. You nailed the Nicholas Christopher chest moment. Yeah. That got you a lot of Instagram attention.

[Samia Posadas]

It blew up, for sure. That was very unexpected.

[Paul Wontorek]

Y So I was like, wait a minute, I think I know him. Isn't it funny how, like, you recognize people in that way? Yeah. So that's a role you could do. Maybe just give some other as you could do.

[Samia Posadas]

That'd be a dream come true. Are you kidding?

[Paul Wontorek]

What are the dreams now? So I know you're going to usc. Congratulations.

[Samia Posadas]

Thank you.

[Paul Wontorek]

So you're off to California.

[Jake James]

Yes, I am.

[Paul Wontorek]

Yeah. And what are you doing in the fall?

[Samia Posadas]

In the fall? I'm going back into my senior year of high school.

[Paul Wontorek]

Oh, okay. So you still have another year. Okay, so. Okay. Wow.

[Samia Posadas]

Yeah.

[Paul Wontorek]

It's so crazy to think about, you know, what it means to be a high school performer. Because you talk about this whole process of these. You know, when you do a musical in high school, now that there are these local awards and you kind of know about this path, which is so interesting to think about, versus just like doing the school show.

[Jake James]

Right.

[Paul Wontorek]

You actually, in the back of your mind, like, wait a minute, I could end up at the Jimmy Awards? Especially if you've been here before.

[Jake James]

It's insane.

[Paul Wontorek]

Yeah, that's like. It changes the mindset, I feel like, of young performers.

[Jake James]

Yeah.

[Paul Wontorek]

But is that a good thing or a bad thing? Or does it add, like a pressure?

[Jake James]

I think for me, especially because I have the opportunity to go my freshman year. So it almost set some sort of precedent mentally. But at the end of the day, like, I'm doing it. Cause I love it. Not because I want to get to some level of this competition. You know what I mean? Like, I'm just. It makes me really happy. So wherever the wind takes me is where I'm gonna go. And it's brought me to the Jimmy Awards. So here I am.

[Paul Wontorek]

So usc.

[Jake James]

Yes.

[Paul Wontorek]

So you have a couple months now until I guess you're. You head out there.

[Jake James]

Yes, I will be there in August. Moving in Los Angeles.

[Tamsen Fadal]

Cool.

[Paul Wontorek]

How excited are you?

[Jake James]

I am so excited. I was just telling someone earlier that, like, ever since I was really young, I've just. I kind of grew up very fast. And I always was like, oh, I can't wait to go to college. I can't wait to do X, Y and Z and like, be an adult. And now that I'm like, growing up and I graduated high school and I'm actually going to college, it is like, wait, I don't know if I want to do this. And I was talking to someone also, because a song that I sang, where Am I Now? Is like this self conflict. And like, I am at a stage in my life where I'm like, what? Like, where it's very unprecedented. And, like, I think there was a lot of beauty in me being able to relate to that. So I am really excited for college, though, and I'm super grateful that I'm able to pursue it at usc.

[Paul Wontorek]

Yeah. By the way, that song is from Lysistrata Jones, a short lived Louis Flynn classic. He wrote that score. That's not a song that many people know. In the competition last night, the finalists get. Get your solo moments right on stage. You did Parade.

[Samia Posadas]

Yes.

[Paul Wontorek]

Which was beautiful. And I feel like the choice of those songs must be really important. I mean, it's really interesting to think about.

[Samia Posadas]

Incredible.

[Paul Wontorek]

Again, you both chose really good, meaty things. And, like, that was a rare song. So it made me, as someone who considers myself kind of a Broadway expert, I was like, wait a minute, wait a minute. Why don't I know this song? It took me like a minute to. To like, really lock into that song. So was that a big part of your decision making for figuring out that final moment in case it happens?

[Jake James]

I mean, you can take.

[Samia Posadas]

Yeah, yeah. It was really, really, really important for me singing that song. I'm from Marietta. That's where I grew up, and that's where that story took place. So to be able to actually represent that. And a fun fact. Leo Frank was actually in the trial. He was sentenced to death on June 21, 1915, which was the day before the Jimmy Awards.

[Jake James]

Wow.

[Samia Posadas]

And so when I went into the audition, that day of it meant so much to be able to tell that story. And I worked so hard to be as respectful and as representative as I could to that community and to be able to tell that story in the best way possible. So it really, really, really meant so much to me to sing that song on that stage.

[Paul Wontorek]

Well, no wonder these. These performances resonated. You had all that, and then you're talking about how much that song means to you. I mean, but I think that really says a lot about sort of connecting with the work you're doing. Right. It's not just up there singing a song beautifully.

[Samia Posadas]

Yes, exactly.

[Paul Wontorek]

So I have a question. Do you, like, bring the Jimmy Trophy to your new dorm for all your new classmates? Is that what you do? Do you make a shelf for it? Is there a special light on the Jimmy?

[Jake James]

I'm not sure. I actually have a feeling that I'm gonna, like, have all of my jimmies and my regional awards program memorabilia that I, like, collected throughout high school at my house and, like, I have all my, like, New York Times papers that the Jimmies put our headshots in. Like, they're all framed in my room. So I guess my mom will be able to admire that while I'm gone. Miles away.

[Paul Wontorek]

I love it. I have a few sort of rapid questions. So first of all, Broadway star, you're dying to meet.

[Samia Posadas]

Nicholas Christopher. I want to meet him so bad.

[Jake James]

Dying to meet. Dying to meet. Dying to meet. To meet Tom Francis.

[Paul Wontorek]

Oh, love that.

[Jake James]

Yeah, yeah.

[Paul Wontorek]

Okay. Most played cast album on your iPhone.

[Samia Posadas]

Waitress.

[Jake James]

Sunset Boulevard.

[Paul Wontorek]

That. That. Sunset Boulevard. Nicole stars. I got Sunset Boulevard. Is there a Norma Desmond in you at some point?

[Jake James]

I mean, years to come. Years to come. I am 18, but I saw the show three times. I love it so much. I love the soundtrack. I loved that cast. We'll see. I guess we'll see.

[Paul Wontorek]

I love that for you. What is the Broadway role that you could probably learn in a week and just go do the show?

[Samia Posadas]

Currently playing Broadway role, Phony Boy Curtis and Outsiders. I would do that tomorrow if I could.

[Paul Wontorek]

Cool.

[Jake James]

I would say Eliza and Hamilton.

[Paul Wontorek]

Cool.

[Samia Posadas]

Okay.

[Paul Wontorek]

I like these. Just throwing some ideas out there, everybody. And finally, what was the greatest moment of your time in New York with the Jimmy Awards, other than winning? Let's just talk about the experience of the full. Everything you got to experience while you were here.

[Jake James]

I would say, okay, so I'm a big person. I find so much joy in, like, the little moments and, like, the little things. And there was a moment when we were on a big bus tour with our little Jimmy pod group, and I was sitting on the bus on the top level with Jake James, and it was nighttime, and, like, we were going over a bridge into Brooklyn and we saw the New York City skyline, and it kind of grounded me. And I was like, wow, this is crazy. And I keep saying it was one of those moments where when you're in it, you want to stay there forever because you feel like you're going to miss it when it's gone. And it truly felt surreal. I was like, wow, I'm here. City of dreams. It was unreal.

[Paul Wontorek]

I love that because there's so many, like, 116 kids overall. So I was always thinking whether you two had a connection at all during the week, but I guess you did.

[Samia Posadas]

Yeah.

[Paul Wontorek]

That's awesome.

[Samia Posadas]

Yeah. From the beginning of the week, we were in the same boat pod. And so from then we met, it was great. Yeah, there was a lot of. Yeah, we were together a lot.

[Paul Wontorek]

Yeah. So what show could you do together?

[Jake James]

People are saying Miss Saigon.

[Paul Wontorek]

Oh, wait a minute.

[Samia Posadas]

I like that. I like that.

[Paul Wontorek]

I'm always down for a Miss Saigon romance.

[Tamsen Fadal]

Me too.

[Jake James]

Me too.

[Paul Wontorek]

Love that. What about your. What was your greatest moment?

[Samia Posadas]

Yeah, so I would say watching all of the other nominees perform their songs and, like, watching them shine, because everyone on this stage is, like, so right here with each other. Like, it's crazy how talented everyone is. And so watching them and being able to be inspired by them and, like, take things from their performances was just. It was amazing. Like, I got shivers watching people. It was amazing. Yeah.

[Paul Wontorek]

My favorite thing was, not that you asked, but I was sitting in a seat sort of to the side, and I could see in the wings, and I loved watching other everyone watch each other, like, watching the other students. It's really incredible. It's just a beautiful energy on that stage, and I'm so thrilled for both of you. Congratulations. So nice to meet you. I can't wait to keep seeing you throughout your career.

[Samia Posadas]

Thank you.

[Paul Wontorek]

And thank you for being here.

[Samia Posadas]

Thank you.

[Jake James]

Thank you so much.

[Tamsen Fadal]

That's gonna do it for this latest episode of the Broadway show Uncut. Until next time, I'm Tamsen Fadal, and this is the Broadway show Uncut.