Wausau West High School Student Performs on Broadway Stage

Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024 -- 8:01 AM

(Shereen Siewert, Wisconsin Public Radio) A Wausau West High School junior last month realized his dream of performing on a Broadway stage, as one of two students representing Wisconsin in a national drama competition.

Nolan Travis, along with Middleton High School’s Ava Greenberg, performed June 24 at the 15th annual Jimmy Awards, a program that honors theater arts education in schools and rewards excellence in student performance. The event was held at the Minskoff Theatre in New York City.

Travis was nominated for his portrayal of Sancho Panza in the October Wausau West High School musical production, “Man of La Mancha.” About 100,000 students participate in regional awards programs nationwide for the right to qualify for The Jimmys, which are often referred to as “The Tonys for Teenagers.”

Travis, who has been involved in theater productions since middle school, said the experience has only strengthened his resolve to create a future for himself in the performing arts.

“I honestly don’t see myself doing anything other than theater, even if it’s just me helping out with theater,” he said. “It’s the one thing in life that really gets me going. It’s one of the things that makes me happy to wake up in the morning.”

Travis told WPR’s Morning Edition being on a famous stage where so many Broadway stars have performed their magic was an awe-inspiring experience he will never forget.

“I still feel like it hasn’t sunk in yet, the fact that I performed on a Broadway stage,” Travis said. “We were on the Minskoff stage, which is where ‘The Lion King’ performs. I saw ‘The Lion King’ a couple of years back in Milwaukee. It was a life-changing moment, watching that show, because it was gorgeous. Being on that stage, knowing the people who have performed on that stage, it was just insane.”

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.