From Small Towns to the Big Stage: Young Kentucky Performers Find National Spotlight
On June 1, 2025, community spirit and a celebration of the arts filled downtown Louisville at the inaugural KPA Bradley Awards – a night that recognized high school performers and theatrical productions throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana. The award ceremony, held in The Kentucky Center’s Whitney Hall, featured performances by students from 16 participating schools spanning 13 counties. The KPA Bradley Awards is an official regional partner of the National High School Musical Theatre Awards® (NHSMTA®), also known as The Jimmy Awards®. Honorees walked the red carpet and connected with talented peers from across the region. The event introduced gifted youth in Kentucky and Southern Indiana to the national stage while celebrating the importance of theatre arts in education.
As part of the ceremony, two standout students were named Best Actor and Best Actress in a Leading Role. Carson Chesnut, from McCracken County High School in Paducah, KY, was named as the Best Actor, and Kennedy Julian, from the Youth Performing Arts School in Louisville, KY, was named Best Actress. Carson and Kennedy will have the unique opportunity to travel to New York City, where they’ll experience 10 days of coaching, master classes, and mentorship with theatre professionals — culminating in their performance at The Jimmy Awards at the iconic Minskoff Theatre on June 23. The event will be livestreamed at JimmyAwards.com
School theatre programs from throughout the region were recognized for their achievements in areas such as supporting roles, musical production, dance execution, design, community engagement, technical execution, behind the scenes excellence, and more.
“We’re thrilled to see Kentucky’s young artists receiving the national recognition they deserve,” said Kim Baker, President and CEO of Kentucky Performing Arts. “The KPA Bradley Awards highlight the incredible talent and hard work happening in our schools, and we’re proud to support these students as they take their well-earned place on the national stage.”
The KPA Bradley Awards continues Kentucky Performing Arts’ proud tradition of connecting and inspiring through arts education. Exemplified by creating meaningful arts access to historically underrepresented communities through the ArtsReach program, and fostering the next generation of Kentucky’s creative leadership, along with opening the door to life-changing college scholarship opportunities, through the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts program. For more than 40 years, Kentucky Performing Arts’ education programs have served young artists from all 120 Kentucky counties.
The stretch of impact these young artists have made both in their own lives and in their communities is immeasurable. It further signifies the importance of the investment in youth programs and the recognition of emerging talent in our schools and neighborhoods. Let’s give a standing ovation to all the KPA Bradley Award recipients and wish Carson and Kennedy best wishes at the Jimmy Awards this month!
