Dalton Public Schools -

DALTON, GA — Kinsley Stephens, a recent graduate of Dalton High School, made her Broadway debut in New York City on Monday, June 23rd in the annual Jimmy Awards National High School Musical Theatre Awards program where she was selected as a finalist for Best Actress.

Kinsley was joined by Hayden Poe, another Dalton High School graduate, who was returning to the Jimmy Awards this year, having attended the event last year as well. The two Dalton High graduates participated in the Jimmy Awards as the representatives of the Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards, which saw participation from 75 different schools in their 2024-2025 competition season.

Out of the 110 competitors from 55 Regional Awards Programs across the nation, the two former Dalton High School students were selected to perform in the Character Medleys, making them two of the only 40 total students eligible to be considered for Jimmy Awards finalists. The students selected to perform in the Character Medleys must audition with the role they played in their school’s production and two additional songs from other musicals. 

Throughout the week, as they rehearsed and learned from industry professionals, the Character Medley performers worked in their medley groups and received coaching for their solo pieces. The remaining 70 performers spent the week working on a large medley of group numbers, featuring songs from across Broadway’s long list of musicals. All students attending the Jimmys experience a week-long theatrical intensive, putting them through Broadway-caliber training and rehearsal for the time that they are there.

The Character Medley groups featured eight performers each, creating five separate groups that aimed to show off the talents of every student selected, having them each perform a solo song as their character with the support of their fellow performers.

Kinsley and Hayden were featured in the medleys as their characters Eurydice and Hermes from Hadestown: Teen Edition, which played at Dalton High School in December of 2024. The performers are judged live by a panel composed of Broadway, and the entertainment industry’s, biggest names.

From their performances in the Character Medleys, eight finalists were selected, four Best Actor and four Best Actress nominees, who then performed one of the extra solos they had prepared, allowing the judges to choose the final winners. Kinsley was named a finalist, representing not only Dalton, but the Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards.

In her finalist solo, Kinsley contrasted her more emotional and dramatic song as Eurydice with a comedic piece that called for bold character choices, garnering many laughs from the audience and showing off both a strong vocal performance, as well as a thoroughly developed performance through her acting.

Although she didn’t ultimately win, she showcased remarkable talent at the Jimmys. She first earned the Georgia High School Musical Theatre Award for Best Actress, standing out among competitors from 75 schools. She was then selected as one of just 40 performers—out of 110 total—to participate in the character medley. Finally, she advanced to the top four finalists for Best Actress in a national program that includes over 2,300 schools across the country.

“Honestly I was just so shocked," Kinsley said. "As someone who has a hard time with giving myself grace, I was completely surprised that I was a finalist. I knew that I had done the work, and I knew I wanted it, but it was truthfully all in God's hands. Throughout the week, I felt anxious and stressed because I just wanted to be enough for people. But after a couple of days, I realized that that’s not why I was there."

" I wasn’t there to impress people, and I wasn’t there to be praised for talent," Kinsley said. "I was there to tell my story, and I was there for a reason, a larger purpose. I couldn’t believe I had actually done the thing I had dreamed of for years — the thing I had pushed myself over the edge to achieve for years. It felt unreal. Performing amongst the most amazing, kind, and talented people just proved to me that this industry is where I want to be. I’m so thankful and blessed to have been given the amazing opportunity, and regardless of imperfections, and regardless of the results, I went on stage and told a story, I made people laugh, and that’s all I ever want to do for the rest of my life.”

Both Kinsley and Hayden worked tirelessly and put on amazing performances at the Jimmy Awards. Dalton Public Schools is proud to have had such talented students representing Dalton and the growing arts community. Their directors at Dalton High School each shared how proud they were to have been involved in their journeys as performers.

“I am so proud of Hayden and Kinsley," said Riley Hooper, the Dalton High School Choir Director and Music Director for Hadestown: Teen Edition. "This has been a culmination of their hard work and vocal growth. I am super excited to see what’s next for these two!”

Laura Knox, the Assistant Director for the Dalton High School drama department, expressed how proud and excited she was, “I am so incredibly proud of Kinsley! She was absolutely amazing making her debut on a Broadway stage. Kinsley was absolutely wonderful! I am so grateful to have been a part of her journey there, and I cannot wait until I get to see her on a Broadway stage again.”

Finally, Alana Sane, the DHS drama teacher and Director for the theatre department shared her thoughts on how far her students have come.

“It’s amazing to see our students up on that stage," said Sane. "I think about all that they’ve gone through to get there and how it’s just the first step in an amazing journey for them. It is really humbling. Kinsley has always been a talented actress, but it’s her heart and her work ethic that make her a standout. It was beautiful watching her get the recognition that she has always deserved. There are other students in Dalton just waiting for their Kinsley and Hayden moment, and the support we get from our school system helps to make those dreams come true. We really are blessed.”

Photo Credit: Photo by Ben Rose/www.BenRosePhotography.com