Every Friday, we spotlight a past Joci Awards finalist and find out what they’ve been up to since performing in the annual competition, learn what the future holds for them, and ask them to dish sage advice to future competitors. Look for a new finalist spotlight every Friday, and if you know of a past winner interested in being featured, contact us here.
First, tell us what year, category, song/piece, etc., you performed at the Joci Awards. My name is Travis Anderson and I competed in the 2015 Joci Awards in the Best Actor Category by performing the piece “The Gypsy in Me” from “Anything Goes”.
What are you up to now? Are you in school? Working? I am currently a Junior Musical Theater Major at the North East School of the Arts (NESA).
What are your plans for the future? My plans for the future are to graduate from high school in 2017 and attend college for Musical Theater with the goal of making a career as a professional performer.
Tell us about your Joci Awards experience. What was it like performing on stage of the Empire Theatre? Any other fun memories that stand out? Competing at the Joci Awards has changed my life and allows me so many more options for college due to the generous scholarships that they award. Performing on the Empire Theatre stage is exhilarating and rewarding knowing that so many people who support the performing arts are in the audience cheering you on. I was also fortunate enough to represent Las Casas at The National High School Musical Awards at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway, which was a dream come true and an opportunity that I am certain will open many doors for me in the future.
What advice do you have for future scholarship applicants and Joci Awards performers? My advice for future scholarship applicants would be don’t be nervous and just try your best. Remember that you love what you are doing and always be positive. You never know what might happen!
Donate here.
Your support funds our educational programming, which includes the Joci Awards, Las Casas’ annual scholarship competition where $100,000 is awarded each year, Behind the Scenes, Camp Broadway, and more.
