Local students Broadway-Bound | Arts & Culture

Tampa, Florida-- Two incredibly talented – and fortunate – high school students are in New York City this week competing at the National High School Musical Theater Awards, thanks to the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts.

Samantha Schneider-Behen and Jordan Rodnizki were awarded the Straz Center’s Broadway Stars of the Future Award at the Florida State Thespian Festival in March. Since the awards ceremony, however, Jordan's plans changed which gave the opportunity to another talented Thespian, Joshua Grosso.

Samantha and Grosso are in New York City this week competing against other young performers from around the country.

Jordan won the Best Actor award for his portrayal of Prospero in Return to the Forbidden Planet.

A terrific singer, Jordan also showed strong stage presence and consistency with character. He attends Countryside High School. Grosso attends American Heritage.

Samantha, a student of Howard W. Blake School of the Arts, won the Best Actress award for her role as Lucille Frank in Parade. Judges said they were impressed by her commitment to her character and her outstanding singing voice.

While in New York, Sam has already been interviewed by PBS for a special about high school musical performers!

The Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center has summer camps and classes going on now for all ages and abilities in theater, music and dance, and it’s not too late to sign up.

Call 813.222.1002 or visit www.patelconservatory.org for more information.