Newark’s Rising Star

Ever since the Rochester Broadway Theater League (RBTL) began participating in 2009 in the National High School Musical Theater Awards (NHSMTA) aka The

Jimmy Awards competition in New York City, a handful of Newark High School performers have qualified to be in the first leg of the RBTL Stars of Tomorrow NYC Bound/ NHSMTA local qualifying competition.

But NO NHS student has ever made it to the Top Ten finalists in the third and final round, let alone be selected as one of the two representatives from the Rochester region RBTL sends to New York City each year to compete for one of the two coveted Jimmy Awards.

Until now. At the end of the third leg of the Stars of

Tomorrow NYC Bound competition that aired virtually on

RBTL’s Facebook page May 26th, NHS Senior Jaston Brooks emerged as one of the two winners. Megan Fiorella, a Pittsford Sutherland High School senior was the other who will represent Rochester in this year’s Jimmy Awards.

Brooks’ amazing rendition of “Come Home” from “Dogfight” sealed the deal for the professional judges that included Broadway professionals originally from the Rochester area: John Bolton (Anastasia, A Christmas Story), Nicolette Hart (RENT, Legally Blonde the Musical), Don Kot (Resident Music Director and Affiliate Artist at Geva), Kara Lindsay (Newsies, Wicked, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Kamilah Marshall (RENT, Disney’s The Lion King, Hairspray) and Michael Park (Dear Evan Hansen, Tuck Everlasting).

At the end of the video presentation of the ceremony, Derek Klena (Jagged Little Pill, Anastasia, The Bridges of Madison County) and Ben Platt (Dear Evan Hansen, The Book of Mormon) announced the winners.

Klena, who played Eddie Birdlace in the Off-Broadway stage adaptation of “Dogfight” announced Brooks’ winning performance first.

“I’m am so thrilled to be here tonight to announce one of the amazing talents that will represent RBTL’s Stars of Tomorrow in this year’s Jimmy Awards. Congratulations to Jaston Brooks from Newark High School. Congratulations Jaston! Excellent song choice. ‘Dogfight’ will always hold a near and dear place in my heart. I know firsthand how challenging ‘Come Back’ can be, but you sounded incredible! Crushed it. Knocked it out of the park. Congrats again and break a leg at The Jimmy Awards.”

Watch the May 26th show here:https://www.facebook.com/RBTLAud/videos/130873932362521

Derek Klena

Jaston Brooks

The (RBTL) will join other professional theater organizations from across the country, participating in the annual presentation of “The Jimmy Awards,” live-streaming on July 15th. This national talent showcase celebrates high school students from across the country and features dynamic ensemble and solo performances. The Jimmy Awards/ The National High School Musical Theatre Awards program impacts more than 140,000 students who participate in high school musical theatre competitions each year.

To participate in the National High School Musical Theater Awards, professional theaters are required to be a member of ‘The Broadway League’, the National Alliance of Musical Theater or the Theatre Communications Group. Each organization agrees to sponsor two student representatives, local winners of the “Leading Actor” and “Leading Actress” categories, in the national competition, typically held in New York City.

A modified version of RBTL’s annual Stars of Tomorrow program was executed this year, with each participating school eligible to nominate lead actors and actresses for Stars of Tomorrow NYC Bound (Rochester’s NHSMTA local competition). Each student was asked to submit a performance video for adjudication and 57 names were submitted for consideration. From Newark, Cody Acquista, Jaston Brooks, Jack Comella, and Gabriella Taylor submitted videos for consideration this year.

The song Brooks sang in the competition’s first round: “I Love Betsy” from Honeymoon in Vegas and second round: “Memphis Lives in Me” from Memphis.

The top 10 finalists in the third round were: - Aidan Eddy (Greece Odyssey Academy) - Coty Perno (Greece Athena High School) - Delaney Carroll (Churchville-Chili High School) - Fendi Curry (Eastridge High School) - Jaston Brooks (Newark High School) - Lydia Diekmann (Pittsford Sutherland High School) - Martina De Luccio (Greece Athena High School) - Megan Fiorella (Pittsford Sutherland High School) - Teagan Dye (Our Lady of Mercy / McQuaid Jesuit High Schools) - Valerie Rodriguez-Castro (Wayne Central High School) As presented by the Broadway League Foundation, the NHSMTA program has, in past years, invited the two nominees

from each regional ceremony to New York City, to participate in coaching and rehearsals with Broadway professionals in preparation for a one-night-only talent showcase on a Broadway stage.

However, this year, all coaching, rehearsals, and activities will take place online for the 70 nominees from 35 regions around the US. It will culminate with two talented students being presented with a Best Performance by an Actress and Best Performance by an Actor award with a total of 20 awards and scholarships available to all participants. The program has been the catalyst for more than $4,000,000 in educational scholarships to date, and several student participants have already been cast in Broadway, Touring and West End productions.

After learning of their wins, Brooks and Fiorella met June 1st at the Rochester Auditorium Theater where they were interviewed, and filmed song and dance selections, all to be sent on to The Jimmy Awards judges.

Both will complete a ten-day series of workshops and lessons taught by Broadway experts June 20 - July 2 and culminate in a group performance/presentation that will be part of The Jimmy Awards presentation July 15th.

Prior to this year, Brooks in 2018 received acknowledgement from the RBTL Stars of Tomorrow program as Supporting Actor for his role in Newark High School Drama Club’s presentation of “Nice Work.” He also has been recognized at the county level at the Wayne County Performing Arts ELENBE awards:

• Best Supporting Actor in a Musical 2018 (Cookie McGee in “Nice Work”)

• Runner Up for Best Actor in a Drama in 2019 (Puck in “Midsummer/Jersey”)

• Best Actor in a Musical (Edward Bloom in “Big Fish”) in 2020.

Click on this photo to watch video of Brooks performing.

Above, Megan Fiorella and Jaston Brooks

And what has the reaction been since it was announced May 26th that Brooks was one of the two RBTL Stars of Tomorrow NYC Bound winners?

“Very surreal” asserts Brooks’ mom Miranda Brooks.

After Klena announced her son had won May 26th, Miranda said he joyfully “catapulted almost to the ceiling.”

And while she and her husband, Justin, and their other four children were absolutely elated, they weren’t that surprised Jaston had won.

Miranda Brooks said Justin had repeatedly told Jaston “we know you’re going to win.” “In my heart of hearts I knew it was his, but I didn’t want to verbalize it,’’ she said, noting she cried when she learned, that in fact, her son was the winner.

“Jaston sings all the time at home. As a child he picked up Disney songs and others on the radio. It stuck with him. As the years have gone by we’ve seen him develop and grow. I’ve seen the excitement in him when he’s onstage,’’ she continued. “He pulls everybody into his character. He makes it his own. He tells a story.”

And what does Jaston Brooks have to say? “I am very surprised to be going to The Jimmy’s _ it’s something I’ve wanted to do,’’ he said. “I feel very accomplished and proud of what I’ve been able to do.”

Brooks, who said he does sing all the time and watches “tons of videos and musicals” said he’s tried his best and worked “really hard” to get to where he is today.

“It’s taken a lot of time and effort, but it’s definitely all been worth it.”

Brooks attributes much of his success to his Mom, Kate Flock, NHS vocal music teacher, who has not only been the music director for shows, but was his music teacher when he was a Newark Middle School student before she began teaching at NHS when he was in eighth grade at NMS and Emily Howard, who has been his director and choreographer in NHS dramas and musicals.

“They have been two of my biggest supporters,” Brooks said. “They are just always there for me _ always available to help me in any way they can. They want to see me succeed. And my mom. She’s my biggest fan. She’s very proud of. me. She wants me to succeed and does everything she can to help make it possible.”

Jaston and Miranda Brooks

Howard and Flock are very excited about Brooks’ win and his musical accomplishments. “I’ve taught Jaston for 6 years in grades 6,7,9,10, 11 and 12,” Flock recalled. “He was always a great singer. I even took him to All-County when he was in 6th grade. I remember because he was so antsy. He couldn't stand still to save his life. Just wanted to move to all the songs. When he came to the high school, he started off in Mixed Choir. Halfway through the year I took a look at his schedule to see if I could move him to Chamber Choir. He had a raw talent, but I could hear how good his ear was...it was special. 

“I talked with him about being in the musical when he was in the Middle School, but he wasn't sure,” Flock continued. “I think freshman year was a year for Jaston to discover what his real interests were , as it is for many. I told Emily about Jaston. We never want to push kids to do the musical _ we want them to want to be there _ but, I pushed him a bit. I felt it was a fit for him and his energy. When Jaston auditioned for ‘Nice Work If You Can Get It,’ I feel like there was no turning back. He was hooked. He won an ELENBE award for his role and that pumped him up even more. 

“He got the lead role as a sophomore in ‘Music Man’ and then decided to try a summer show at the JCC in Rochester - "Newsies". Such a perfect show to capture Jaston's charm. He played the rather iconic role of Crutchie and received some acclaim from some bigger critics. I think this gave Jaston a push and drive to do more. I don't think I know a student who has immersed themselves so fully into Broadway literature and research. He knows his shows, actors, theatres and MUSIC more than anyone I know. 

“Last year he played the role of Edward Bloom in ‘Big Fish’. It was a big role physically, emotionally and MUSICALLY. I believe he had most of the music learned before rehearsals even started. His talent for music is out of this world, unbelievable and so natural. He soaks it in and thrives in that area of musical theatre. 

“This year, we of course needed to find a new approach to the musical, so we did ‘We Will Rock You’ - all music of Queen. We were nervous because the music of Queen is not easy at all. Freddie Mercury is known for his range and the difficulty of his music. Jaston claimed the music and wowed us once again. 

“The process of the Jimmy awards has been challenging. There was a lot of pressure the choose the right music and find diverse emotions in everything he presents. We found 3 really great songs for Jaston. 

“Once and a while, Emily and I tell each other that we really think he has what it takes to make it to Broadway _ he IS that good. We have guided him along the way, but he wouldn't be where he is if he didn't put in the work. It is like an athlete - they may want to make it to the pros, but without the conditioning, training and rigor each and every day, they would never make it there. 

“To say I am proud is an understatement. My heart is overflowing and I couldn't be happier for Jaston's success.“

Jaston Brooks performing as Galileo in this year's filmed musical “We Will Rock You”

Howard echoed Flock’s sentiments. “Jaston showed up at auditions for ‘Nice Work If You Can Get It’ as a freshman,” she recalled. Although he’d never been involved with theatre I

knew he had something special. Kate Flock and I cast our musical based on what we see at auditions and callbacks. Jaston showed us a little sparkle and we knew we had our "Cookie McGee" - a silly, tap dancing bootlegger. Over the next four years, he was involved in every play and musical at Newark. He played Puck in ‘Midsummer/Jersey,’ Harold Hill in ‘The Music Man,’ Pollux in ‘Argonautika,’ Edward Bloom in ‘Big Fish,’ ‘Karl in ‘The Election,’ and most recently Galileo in ‘We Will Rock You.’ He also performed in our student directed one-acts ’10 Worst Breakups of All Time,’ ’10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse’ and ‘The Halloween Bandit’. Additionally, like many of our high school drama club members, he assisted with the NMS musical ‘James and the Giant Peach, Jr.’

“I know singing is his first love, but I am most proud of his growth as an actor,” Howard continued. “He s tackled some very challenging roles. In particular, as Edward Bloom in March 2020's production of ‘Big Fish.’ That role required him to be on stage almost the entire performance, play a man from age 16-60, and create real emotional relationships with his scene partners. Jaston walked into that first rehearsal "off-book" (memorized).

“Jaston is a very gifted musician and he makes vocal choices that make each song he sings sound like his own.  He sparkles on stage. My college roommate used to say that some performers have ‘the sparkle’ - and Jaston has it. Call it the ‘it factor’ or ‘star quality’ or just plain old charisma - but there's something about watching Jaston perform that makes you watch him. 

“I've spent many rehearsals with Jaston talking about who his character is, what their intention is, and how he can convey that through dialogue and song. This kind of work is very challenging for young actors because it calls on them to consider experiences, practice empathy, and be willing to be vulnerable with their emotions. Jaston was initially resistant to singing ‘Come Back’ from ‘Dogfight’ for his final song in the competition, but Kate and I knew it was right. It not only showed off Jaston's incredible vocal range, it gave him an opportunity to dig deep into storytelling. The piece is about a soldier coming back from the Vietnam War and while a high school student has never experienced that exact situation, they can call upon moments where they've felt isolated, or that they didn't have a place. This theme is universal, but it takes a raw vulnerability to portray that in song. I was so excited that the judges specifically mention that they felt drawn in by Jaston's storytelling and ability to draw in audiences. It is something that I have pushed Jaston to find in rehearsals for our high school shows and also in preparation for this competition.

“Theatre can sometimes feel like an elite activity. Tickets to professional shows are expensive. Dance classes, private voice lessons, even traveling to be in a show in another town. . . all those things add up. What I try to do with the Drama Club at Newark High School is to provide as many of those opportunities right here . We have to nurture and grow that talent right here . I work hard to keep Drama Club a year-round activity. I've made connections with local colleges so we can see final dress rehearsals for free. We make an effort to choose one of the touring shows coming to RBTL and buy group tickets at a lower rate. I've taught tap classes, held improv game nights, directed student written work, supervised a completely student-driven show, and always try to say ‘yes’ to whatever ideas the group comes up with. Three years ago I started taking students to the New York State Theatre Education Association annual student conference. Kate and I took a group of kids to NYC in 2017 and 2019 to see Broadway shows and take workshops there. We're hoping that travel opens up again for us to do that. I know what theatre education can do for students. I've witnessed it firsthand. Every now and again we will have a student like Jaston who will be pursuing this as a career.

“ But ALL students benefit from theatre education. 

Jaston Brooks, right, as Edward Bloom with Luke Taylor as Young Will in “Big Fish.”

“Working professionally in the performing arts industry takes more than just raw talent. Often you need to be in the right place at the right time and be seen by the right people. Competing at The Jimmy Awards will give Jaston that chance. The network he will build from this experience is incredibly valuable. I am thrilled Jaston will be representing Newark High School on the national level. His story proves that raw talent is necessary, but also it takes work and determination to get to the next level. I am so proud of what Jaston has accomplished in his four years at NHS. I know he is ready for the challenge of The Jimmy Awards, his education at SUNY Fredonia, and whatever life places in his path after that.”

Both Howard and Flock said they were also very proud to send videos of Cody Acquista, Jack Comella, and Gabriella Taylor for consideration in the RBTL Stars of Tomorrow NYC Bound competition. Along with Brooks, Acquista and Taylor advanced to "Round 2" of judging.

“In order to prepare the Newark students for the competition, Kate and I met with each student. We spent time doing song interpretation work discussing how physical and vocal choices affect the storytelling.”

“We have a strong music program at Newark Central School District. It is because of the music program that I can jump in and develop performers. If students did not have the foundational skills that they learn in general music classes and especially in band and choir ensembles, I would not be able to produce what we do on stage at NHS. It's never too late to join chorus, band, or to try theatre. Jaston walked in brand new to the program as a freshman and developed into what he is today. Theatre provides not just a creative outlet, but opportunities for personal growth and achievement. Parents, if you're reading this - encourage your student to participate in the arts! 

Like Flock and Howard, Newark High School Principal Nick Ganster is very happy about Brooks’ win. “We are so excited for Jaston, and proud that his hard work and talent will represent our hometown in New York City.  We are

honored to have such a great young man highlight the many opportunities that our students have in the arts at Newark High School. Good luck Jaston, and Go Reds!"  

Superintendent Susan Hasenauer agreed, saying: “Jaston’s win is clearly well-deserved and a tremendous honor for his family, our school district and community. We

all congratulate him on his hard work and persistence in not giving up on his dreams. We are all cheering you on Jaston! Russ Harris, Newark Board of Education president, on behalf of the BOE and the entire school

district, commended Brooks’ on his accomplishments and win at the June 2nd Board of Education meeting. At the same time that was happening, Brooks was participating in a highly-spirited parade through Newark with

more than two dozen cars chock full of fans and well-wishers and even some dogs; blaring fire trucks from Newark, Marbletown and Fairville and two Newark police cars.

Newark Mayor Jonathan Taylor, who arranged for the fire departments and Newark PD’s participation in the upbeat parade, said it was a fitting tribute. “It’s certainly an exceptional honor for Jaston to have been chosen to compete in The Jimmy Awards,’’ he said before the parade began. “We are all so proud of him and wanted to show our support for his great accomplishments”

Jaston Brooks, left, with Gabriella Taylor, front right, and Jack Comella, front back.

Go Get ‘Em Jaston!

Special thanks to Emily Howard for providing some great photo and a video for this story!