Thunder Ridge High School junior Benjamin Strock will represent Idaho at a prestigious national theatre competition in New York City this June after earning the state’s top acting honor at the Patty Duke Awards over the weekend.
Strock was named Best Actor in Idaho at the fifth annual ceremony, which recognizes outstanding high school theatre performances across the state. The award qualifies him to compete at the Jimmy Awards, a national competition often described as the Tony Awards for high school theatre students.
Southeast Idaho Schools Dominate State Theatre Honors
Thunder Ridge High School dominated this year’s awards, taking home Best Production, Best Stage Management, Best Sound Design, Best Ensemble, and multiple acting honors. The school’s drama program has emerged as a powerhouse in Idaho’s high school theatre scene.
According to Thunder Ridge drama teacher Jorden Cammack, the recognition reflects growing talent in the region’s theatre community. The school hopes to return to the competition with another production in future years.
Two Idaho Students to Compete at National Level
Strock will be joined in New York by Highland High School student Dru Brower from Pocatello, who won Best Actress in Idaho. Both students received $2,000 scholarships to Boise State University, which can be applied toward any field of study.
The Jimmy Awards competition brings together 116 of the nation’s most talented high school theatre students at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre. Participants receive professional coaching and training from Broadway industry professionals before performing in a one-night showcase.
The national competition offers a $25,000 grand prize and provides valuable connections within the professional theatre industry. For Strock, who has dreamed of attending the Jimmy Awards since eighth grade, the opportunity marks his first trip to New York City.
New Dancing Honor Debuts at Patty Duke Awards
Highland High School student Milee Dayley made history by becoming the first recipient of the Outstanding Dancer Award, a newly created honor at this year’s Patty Duke Awards. Dayley received a $1,000 scholarship to Boise State University.
The Patty Duke Awards are part of a broader network of 58 regional theatre competitions across the United States that impact more than 180,000 students from 2,600 schools annually. These competitions identify top talent for the national Jimmy Awards competition held each summer in New York.
What Comes Next
Idaho audiences will be able to watch Strock and Brower perform at the Jimmy Awards through a livestream scheduled for June 22. The event will showcase their talents on a national stage and determine which students earn top honors and scholarship prizes.
The recognition of Southeast Idaho students at the state level reflects the region’s commitment to arts education and the dedication of drama programs at Thunder Ridge and Highland high schools. Both schools have invested significant resources in developing student talent and creating competitive theatre productions.