Hingham teen Ben Cavallo-Smith turns a high school role into a Broadway moment.
By Joey Macari
For one unforgettable week in June, Hingham’s Ben Cavallo-Smith stepped into the whirlwind world of Broadway—not as a spectator, but as a star in the making. The recent Hingham High School graduate was one of just two students selected from Massachusetts to represent the state at the prestigious 2025 Jimmy Awards, hosted this year by Josh Groban. Held at the Minskoff Theatre—the Broadway home of The Lion King—the Jimmy Awards honor the best high school musical theater performers from across the country. Ben earned his spot as a semifinalist for his powerful portrayal of Orpheus in Hadestown, a role that also won him the 2025 MUGG Musical Theater Award for Best Actor.
“Performing on Broadway was a rush like nothing I’ve ever felt before,” Ben says. “It really confirmed for me that this is what I want to do with my life.” Though the days were packed with 12 hour rehearsals each day, Ben describes the week as transformative. “The whole experience felt like a family. Everyone clicked almost instantly,” he says. “What impacted me the most emotionally was how supportive everyone was, especially during the final performance. It felt like everyone was just lifting each other up.”
A highlight of the week came when Ben was selected to perform in the coveted Character Medley, singing a solo from Hadestown in front of a full Broadway house. “Getting selected for the medley was thrilling,” he says. “It was the most fun, and most growth, I’ve ever experienced in such a short time.”
But it wasn’t just the bright lights that made the moment unforgettable, it was the faces in the crowd. “One moment I’ll never forget was standing in the Minskoff Theatre after the performance and seeing my high school directors in the audience,” Ben says. “I was overwhelmed with gratitude. They helped shape me not just as a performer, but as a person.”
Ben’s love of theater began early at The Company Theatre, where he played roles like Donkey in Shrek the Musical—a “dream come true” for the self-proclaimed “high-energy, unapologetic” performer. “That place is like home to me,” he says. “It’s where I fell in love with performing.” Guided by mentors like Hingham High’s Maureen Fish and Christopher Landis, Ben found his confidence on and off the stage. This fall, he’ll take the next step in his journey, studying Theater Arts and Musical Theater at Salve Regina University.
Off the stage, he shares his passion online with over 48,000 TikTok followers and roots for the Patriots with the same enthusiasm he brings to the stage. But at his core, Ben is still the South Shore kid who dares to dream big. “Never be afraid to shine your light,” he says. “You don’t have to be perfect—you just have to be brave.” From Hingham to Broadway and beyond, Ben is proving that even the brightest stars can rise from small-town stages.
South Shore
Theater Starters
Looking to help your young performer take center stage? Here are a few beloved spots on the South Shore where theater dreams begin:
The Company Theatre (Norwell)
A community gem where many young talents, including Ben, got their start. Offers youth programs, camps and mainstage productions.
companytheatre.com
Break a Leg Theater Works (Hingham)
Known for its high-caliber youth productions and triple-threat training in acting, singing and dance.
breakalegtheater.com
South Shore Conservatory Voice Department (Hingham & Duxbury)
Private and group voice and dance and instruction focused on healthy technique and expressive performance for all ages.
sscmusic.org
Studio Americana (Plymouth)
Offers premiere training in the area of theatre and musical theatre for students at an affordable cost.
americanatheatre.org/about-studio
