Jazhel Arostegui
photo by Loni Elizabeth Photography
The Tivoli Theatre Foundation launched a regional awards program – the Jewel Awards – as part of its approach to educate, enrich and empower individuals through the performing arts. The awards are named in recognition of the “Jewel of the South,” the Tivoli Theatre, a recognition of the Beaux Arts style building that opened its doors in 1921.
The Jewel Awards evaluate high school theatre programs with participating schools having access to community building and learning opportunities as they create theatrical productions.
Seven area schools, representing more than 350 students, participated in the inaugural Jewel Awards. They were Boyd-Buchanan School, Chattanooga Christian School, Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts, Christian Heritage School, East Hamilton High School, Grace Academy and Signal Mountain High School.
As part of the program, two students from Christian Heritage School in Dalton, Jazhel Arostegui and Gracia Wright, were nominated to compete in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards – the Jimmy Awards – in New York City. The nominees spent almost two weeks at the Juilliard School, working with Broadway directors, choreographers, musicians, designers, performers, and casting directors. During the 2024 Jimmy Awards ceremony, Jazhel and Gracia made their Broadway debut on stage at the Minskoff Theatre.
Gracia Wright
photo by Loni Elizabeth Photography