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Next on Stage Season 5 Next on Stage Season 5

Next On Stage Season 5

It's time to freshen up your book and warm up those pipes! Next On Stage, Broadway's biggest national competition for high school and college students, is officially back for Season 5, and this season will be bigger and better than ever!

What is Next On Stage? In Spring 2020, when Broadway was dark and student productions across the country were being canceled due to the COVID pandemic, BroadwayWorld saw an opportunity to shine a spotlight on young performers across the country who were otherwise sidelined. Next On Stage was born out of the hope of providing a platform for some of the outstanding talent that will grace the Broadway stages of the future. Since its launch, the series has enjoyed four seasons and showcased the voices of thousands of young people across the country.


The Grand Prize:

-AMDA Emerging Artists Scholarship: For 60 years, AMDA College of the Performing Arts has been recognized throughout the industry for its rich history and tradition of launching some of the most successful careers in theatre, film, television, and new media. With campuses in Los Angeles and New York City, AMDA provides unparalleled education and training for the aspiring actor, dancer, singer, versatile artist, and beyond. AMDA Emerging Artists Scholarships are awarded to exceptionally talented incoming students and cover AMDA’s full remaining tuition balance after all other financial aid is applied.
(*See full contest terms and conditions)

-High School Competition Winner:
High School graduates may redeem the awarded scholarship towards AMDA's 4-year BFA Music Theatre degree program (LA), 2-year AOS Musical Theatre degree program (LA), or 2-year Integrated Conservatory Certificate program (NY).






 

-College Competition Winner:
Current College students and recent graduates may redeem the awarded scholarship towards AMDA's 4-year BFA Music Theatre degree program (LA), 2-year AOS Musical Theatre degree program (LA), or 2-year Integrated Conservatory Certificate program (NY). Following a formal review, AMDA may accept up to 30 college transfer credits (GE courses only) towards a BFA degree. College graduates may choose to redeem the scholarship towards a 2-year program, ideal for recent college graduates.


-Vocal Lesson With Coach Matt Farnsworth: Winners will receive a vocal lesson with Matt Farnsworth. Matt Farnsworth is an accomplished voice teacher, actor, and pianist living and working in NYC. He has been teaching voice since 1995 when he became the consulting coach on Broadway’s production of Rent.

-Standard Rental Certificate for Up to $1,000 for Winner’s School to Produce an Upcoming MTI Show*

-Merchandise package including MTI-branded accessories and show-related items.

-Work session with The Telsey Office's Jimmy Larkin: Winners will have a 'work session' with Jimmy Larkin of The Telsey Office. The Telsey Office casts all of Broadway's biggest shows, as well as work for TV, Film, and commercials in both New York and Los Angeles.

-BroadwayWorld Merch Prize Pack: Each winner will receive a selection of merch from the BroadwayWorld Shop.

-$1000 donated to the charity of their choice (Charity subject to sponsor approval, must be a registered 501(c)3 charity)

All Top 3 Finalists Will:

-Perform at 54 Below for the live season finale, including flights (or other transportation to NYC based on location of origin) and a stay at a local hotel.

-Two tickets to a Broadway show during their stay in NYC

-Two tickets to a future show at 54 Below


Season 5 Schedule: 

October 8thSubmissions Open
October 29thSubmissions Close
October 31stFirst Round Voting Begins
November 20thFirst Round Voting Closes
November 22ndTop 15 Results Show
December 6thTop 10 Results Show
December 13thTop 5 Results Show
December 20thTop 3 Results Show
January 19thLive Finale at 54 Below in NYC

Submission Guidelines:

-The deadline to submit is October 29th, 2024 11:59 PM ET.

- Do not use a track with backing vocals. You must be the only voice in your submission.

- Do not submit past videos from performances in full productions or recitals. Videos should be 'audition/self tape' style, with you in front of a flat background if possible and a steady camera, filmed horizontally (the wide way). Videos should be updated to YouTube as an unlisted or public link. Please avoid uploading videos as 'Shorts.'

- Do keep performances to an audition cut, around 1 minute in length.

- High School submissions are limited to those ages 14-18 and graduating 2025-2028. 

- College submissions are limited to those ages 18-23 and graduating 2025-2029.

- For questions regarding which age group you belong in, please contact us at nextonstage@broadwayworld.com.

- At this time, this contest is open to US residents only.

- Terms of the contest are subject to change. BroadwayWorld reserves the right to use videos and photos submitted for the contest in promotion of the Next on Stage competition.


Meet The Judges:

Courtney Reed is best known for originating the role of ‘Princess Jasmine’ in Disney's smash Broadway hit Aladdin, in which she received a Grammy Nomination. She most recently starred in Moulin Rouge! as the Sparkling Diamond on Broadway- a role  which she originated on the first national tour. Pre-pandemic she was seen in Lauren Yee’s award winning play Cambodian Rock Band at The Signature Theatre. She also had the honor of being a part of the closing company of the Tony Award Winning Musical In The Heights, in which she played ‘Carla,’ u/s ‘Nina’ and ‘Vanessa.’ She made her Broadway debut in Mamma Mia! Favorite Regional: ‘Andrea’ in Once on This Island at Papermill Playhouse directed by Thomas Kail. Television: Liza on Demand, Search Party, The Affair, Law & Order: SVU, White Collar, NYC 22, and CSI: NY. Courtney is also a proud co-producer of Disney Princess the Concert that can be seen all over the world.
 
Michael James Scott is best known for and is currently the longest running Genie in
Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway. He’s also played the role Internationally in London, the North American Tour and originating it in the Australian Production for which he won the prestigious Helpmann Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.
He’s also known for originating the role of the Minstrel on Broadway in Something Rotten and originating Dr. Gotswana (aka The Maggots Guy) in the Tony-winning phenomenon The Book of Mormon. Other Broadway credits include Mamma Mia, Tarzan, All Shook Up, The Pirate Queen, Elf, and Hair. On the West End, he was the associate choreographer and performed in the Broadway revival transfer of Hair. Off-Broadway, co-starring in Here’s to the Public opposite Donna McKechnie, and was also part of the concert cast of Jerry Springer: The Opera at Carnegie Hall. He was the standby for the legendary Ben Vereen in the Int. tour of Fosse, taking over
the role in Paris, France at the Thé â tre du Châ telet. Outside NYC, original Las Vegas Co. of Jersey Boys and in Shrek the Musical as the Donkey at the famous St. Louis Muny. MichaelJamesScott.com
(Instagram/Twitter @iamMJScott)
Kate Rockwell starred as the original Karen Smith in Mean Girls: The Musical at the August Wilson Theater, which garnered her a Drama Desk Nomination. A natural brunette, her previous Broadway dumb blondes include originating the role of Skylar in Bring It On: The Musical, as well as roles in Rock of Ages, Hair, and Legally Blonde. She’s been seen recently as Anna on Amazon Prime’s Harlem and Nina Bennett on Fox’s Almost Family, and on Blue Bloods, High Maintenance, Deadbeat, and Sex and the City: the Movie. Some select regional theater highlights include Maria Von Trapp in The Sound of Music (Muny), Carrie Piperidge in Carousel (Arena Stages), Belle in Beauty and the Beast (Muny), and Mabel Normand in the world premiere of Hollywood (La Jolla Playhouse). Rockwell released her debut solo album, Back To My Roots, in 2018 on Broadway Records, and has performed her solo concert by the same name at Birdland Jazz Club, City Winery, and other venues in NYC. She is a WSET-certified wine lover and mama to her two-legged and a four legged kids. With extensive credits on Broadway and in film and television, J. Elaine Marcos is known for her comedic timing and scene-stealing roles. She is currently in DRAG: the Musical and last scene in Los Angeles in the revival of Reefer Madness with Kristin Bell. Broadway credits include : Val in A Chorus Line, Lily St. Regis in the revival of Annie, Priscilla Queen of the Desert,  Miss Saigon, Flower Drum Song, Gettin' the Band Back Together, Wonderful Town, Sweet Charity, The Wedding Singer. Abroad, J. Elaine starred in the new Maltby/Shire musical Waterfall in Bangkok. J. Elaine also travels extensively teaching abroad and is a proud AMDA Alumna. @jelainemarcos
Lesli Margherita is an Olivier Award winner for her West End debut as Inez in ZORRO THE MUSICAL. Lesli made her Broadway debut originating the role of Mrs. Wormwood in MATILDA THE MUSICAL. After over 1000 performances, she bid farewell to the Broadway company of Matilda and crossed the street to The Helen Hayes to star as the diva Mona Kent in Broadway's DAMES AT SEA. Lesli later returned to MATILDA to close out its Broadway run. Off-Broadway, Lesli starred as Princess in EMOJILAND and Cindy Lou Who in the one woman tour-de-force WHO'S HOLIDAY. She will next be seen on Broadway as 'Tessie Tura' in Gypsy.Kyle Taylor Parker has worked on Broadway in the original casts of Kinky Boots and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. His other theatre credits include: The off Broadway revival of Smokey Joe's Cafe,  Finnian's Rainbow, regional productions of Dreamgirls,  Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert on NBC. Combining his love of show tunes and soul music on his solo recording debut, Kyle's Broadway Soul, Vol. 1 arrived on Broadway Records in 2019, followed by Broadway Soul, Vol. 2 in 2021. 


Our Sponsors:

For 60 years, AMDA College of the Performing Arts has been recognized throughout the industry for its rich history and tradition of launching some of the most successful careers in theatre, film, television, and new media. With campuses in Los Angeles and New York City, AMDA provides unparalleled education and training for the aspiring actor, dancer, singer, versatile artist, and beyond.

Music Theatre International is one of the world's leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. MTI’s serves over 100,000 professional, community and school theatres in the US and in over 150 countries worldwide.
54 Below, a recipient of the 2022 TONY AWARDS® Honor for Excellence in the Theatre, is a non-profit supper club with a mission to preserve the music of Broadway and expand the art of the cabaret while growing opportunities for diverse communities of emerging and established artists. It was founded as a place for the Broadway community to celebrate Broadway performers, both established and new, who sing the music of Broadway and the Great American Songbook, as well as new material intended for Broadway and off-Broadway stages. 54 Below is one of the most in demand venues in the city presenting over 700 shows per year.




Meet Past Winners

Colin O'Connor

Colin was the College winner for BroadwayWorld's Next on Stage Season 4. A regular performer in NYC, he has an album coming out in November 2025.
Jeffery Walker III

Jeffrey was the High School winner for BroadwayWorld's Next on Stage Season 4 and currently attends AMDA on the scholarship he recieved as part of his prize. He is represented by CESD Talent.
 
Mia Cherise Hall

Mia most recently appeared in Relapse: A New Musical at Theater Row in NYC Off-Broadway. She also played Alyssa Green in Pioneer Theatre's production of The Prom last season. They are also a regular performer at 54 Below.
 
Jackson Perry

Since appearing in Next On Stage, Jackson appeared in the Broadway-aimed production of the Karate Kid musical in St. Louis. He will graduate from the University of Michigan's Musical Theatre program in 2024.
 
Terrence Bogan

Terrence attends Trinity College where he plays Football, in addition to his on-stage aspirations. He posted the college's fastest time of the season in the 55-meter dash and won the 55-meter dash in the Beat the Blizzard Indoor Meet at Coast Guard.
 
Haiden Pederson

Haiden has a BFA from and is a recent graduate of the University of Arizona. She recently made her NYC debut at 54 Below.
 
Tommy Kaiser

Tommy most recently appeared in the Rent 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour, where he played both Mark and Roger. Off-Broadway he has appeared in Audrey: A New Musical. He's a regular at 54 Below and a viral TikTok sensation.
 
Willem Butler

Willem most recently played Dimitry on the 2nd National Tour of Anastasia. Recent credits include Jersey Boys (Frankie Valli) and Catch Me if You Can (Frank Jr.) at Bigfork Summer Playhouse, and Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Lyric Music Theatre.
 



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