Suburban students win Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards; next stop New York City

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards have just been presented to students achieving excellence on-stage.

The winners go on to a major competition in New York. They're ready for their next performance challenge.

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There's kind of a Tony Award vibe with high school musical students from all across Illinois, full of talent and a whole lot of excitement.

Broadway In Chicago presents the annual competition and showcase of young thespians.

Students, teachers and families cheered them on at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place Monday night.

The finalists are Logan Arroyo, a senior at Lincoln-Way East in Frankfort, and Jane Nuich, from Maine South High School in Park Ridge.

"Exhilarating, pins and needles, blood rushing through my body, so insane, it makes me feel like the work that I put in has paid off," Arroyo said.

His parents are proud.

"I can't even believe that can be a possibility. But, if anybody can do it, Logan Can do it," mother Courteney Arroyo said.

"Extremely proud, and the fact that he's fearless since he's been a kid, going on stage and doing everything with passion, it's been a journey for us as parents to see him do this," father Jose Arroyo said.

Nuich is ready for Broadway.

"Oh my goodness, I mean I'm over the moon about this. It's so exciting; to go to New York is a dream. I cannot wait to represent Illinois," she said.

Her mother, Jennifer, said she's always had a love of theater and music.

"That's always been her life," she said.

"It's really a community of love and support that's tough to find elsewhere," father Jeff Nuich said. "To have your child up in a theater there surrounded by the greats, it's a dream come true for all of us."

These talented teenagers now begin intensive rehearsals and coaching sessions. Then, they compete against dozens of other winners from across the country in the Jimmy Awards next month.

ABC7 Chicago will follow them all the way to Broadway.