1,300 High School Students See 'Hamilton,' Talk To Cast Members

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- "Hamilton" remains the hottest ticket in town, and hundreds of high school students got their shot to see the show on Wednesday afternoon.

As CBS2's Jill Nicolini reported, some of them were also lucky enough to perform on the stage where history is being made.

"It felt so amazing!" said Madelyn Cruz, 16, a student at Bronx Prep High School. "At first I was a little nervous -- I'm not going to lie! I'm also very thankful because, you know, where we're from, it's not easy get opportunities like this."

A total of 1,300 students came to the Richard Rodgers Theatre, 226 W. 46th St., thanks to the partnership between producers, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.

SOT James G. Basker, President of The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

"It all begins with Lin Miranda himself – he's wanted kids to be part of the show since the beginning," Basker said. "We wanted thousands of high school kids from the most disadvantaged schools in New York to be able to see this show and to do so in a meaningful way."

Some teenagers from City College Academy of the Arts in Washington Heights decided to write and perform an original rap song about the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr.

"We had to do a 'Hamilton' project in order to actually come here, and it even gave us opportunity as well, because we actually got to perform on stage," said Astrid Santana, 16. "You know, and I think that for other kids, they should get that too."

"As minorities, it gives us a chance to put ourselves out there," said Josori Marte.

"The seats that were sitting in cost like $500 and above. We only get to pay $10 for them," said Pamela Santana. "So it's amazing."

Students also had the opportunity to partake in a question and answer session with some of the "Hamilton" cast members.

"For us in the cast, it's a rewarding experience to be able to watch these kids just kind of do their thing without any, you know, any prompting from us," said Nick Walker, who is currently an understudy for Aaron Burr and George Washington. "Hopefully, they understand that this is completely attainable. You just have to put in the work."

"It was actually helpful," said Bronx Prep student Jesus Santos, 16, "because they were giving advice to like how to be an actor and how to manage time well."

And when the performance of "Hamilton" came around, the students were ecastatic.

Mos Patricia perez pence- 47 American Sign Language high school

"We are excited and thrilled and it's unexplainable!" said Patricia Perez Pence of American Sign Language High School.

"I think it's amazing – the best show on Broadway!" another student said.

Next February, the "Hamilton" education program will resume and the theater will begin welcoming more high school students.