What happens when you take nearly 300 students representing 52 productions from 33 high schools from across Central Florida and put them onstage at Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts? You get the Applause Awards – the annual ceremony, modeled after the Tony Awards which features performances from the winners of “Outstanding Musical” and culminates in the selection of two overall winners who advance to the High School Musical Theatre Awards in New York City (also known as The Jimmy Awards). One of last years winners, Jackson Chase, sat down with me to talk about his experience during last years’ awards, his adventure in New York at the Jimmy Awards, and share advice for all those students hoping for a similar experience this year.