Cheer on Lakeview student Ari Mikels at this national musical theater competition

The ceremony, hosted by Broadway, film and television star Corbin Bleu, will be viewed at 7:30 p.m. by visiting JimmyAwards.com. It will remain online until Sunday July 18.

The Jimmy Awards will host an evening of student ensemble and solo performances and will conclude with the awards for Best Performance by an Actress and Best Performance by an Actor. Mikels said viewers can expect to see a solo from him on the show’s third music medley.

The National Musical Theater Competition consists of 72 nominees from 36 regions of the United States

Mikels previously won Best Leading Actor at the Georgia High School Musical Theater Awards, also known as The Shuler Awards, earning him a spot at the Jimmy Awards.

In order to enter the public program, Mikels performed in a musical staged by his school. The performance of “Urinetown” was recorded and sent for judging.

Ahead of the Jimmy Awards, Mikels said he went through an intensive 12-day process of recording and filming himself singing and acting, and listening to guest actors on Broadway.

Of all the speakers, Mikels said Rob McClure affected him the most.

“You could tell by listening to him that he knew exactly what he was talking about,” Mikels said. “He answered all of our questions very well and walked us through this master acting class.”

Whether or not he wins Best Performance by an Actor, Mikels said all his efforts are worth it.

“I now have friends from every state, that’s pretty cool,” he said. “It was a really fun time.”