After months of hard work, the six finalists of BroadwayWorld's Next on Stage, sponsored by AMDA, hit the stage on Sunday, January 14, for the live finale at 54 Below! The finalists included Mackenzie Crawford, Braxton Offor and Jeffery Walker III (High School Age Group) and Sara Elder, Amaya Hardin and Colin O'Connor (College Age Group).
They were judged by J. Elaine Marcos, Lesli Margherita, Kyle Taylor Parker, Courtney Reed, Kate Rockwell and Michael James Scott. The special event was hosted by Ben Cameron and featured msuic dirction by James Rushin.
After performing and receiveing feedback from the judges, Jeffery Walker III and Colin O'Connor were crowned the winners. Congratulations to all of the contestants who took part in this fourth season!
Check out photos from inside the special day and watch the finale in full here!
Broadway's biggest national competition for High School and College students is back bigger and better for our fourth season, brought to you by AMDA. Inspired by your favorite network TV singing contests, the site is inviting high school and college-aged students to submit videos of themselves performing a song from the musical theatre canon to enter the competition. |
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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 three seasons and showcased the voices of hundreds of young people across the country.
Now, after a two-year hiatus, we invited high school and college-aged students to enter by submitting videos of themselves performing a song from the musical theatre canon.
-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: |
-College Competition Winner: |
-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.
-Work session with The Telsey Office's Rachel Hoffman: Winners will have a 'work session' with Rachel Hoffman 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)
-Perform at 54 Below for the live season finale, including flights (or other transportation to NYC based on location of origin)
-Two tickets to a Broadway show during their stay in NYC
-Two tickets to a show at 54 Below
-Enjoy a meal at USA Brooklyn Delicatessen - New York City's favorite flavors all in one place! Serving hot pastrami, hot corned beef & roasted turkey reubens, as well as classic hot sandwiches on marble rye, Roman-style pizza, chicken soup & more! Indulge like a local New Yorker.
-Receive a stay at Hotel Edison- Hotel Edison has been a staple of NYC’s Theater District since 1931, when Thomas Edison turned on the lights. The Art Deco hotel’s vibrant energy, spacious accommodations, and notable restaurants & jazz bar provide a one-of-a-kind refuge in the heart of Times Square.
The deadline to submit is November 9th, 2023 11:59 PM ET.
-You must be the only voice in your submission. Don't use a track with backing vocals.
-Please don't use past videos from performances in full productions. 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.'
-Please keep performances to an audition cut, around 1 minute in length.
-High School submissions are limited to those ages 14-18 and graduating 2024-2027.
-College submissions are limited to those ages 18-23 and graduating 2024-2028.
-For questions regarding which age group you belong to, 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.
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. You can see her currently as Moulin Rouge the Musical’s Sparkling Diamond on Broadway for which she originated the role 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 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. Michael is the voice of the Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship The Wish national commercial campaign where you can hear his rendition of the iconic song A Dream is A Wish. He was a member of the critically acclaimed singing group The Broadway Boys and Grammy-nominated Broadway Inspirational Voices and he can be heard on many original Broadway cast albums, multiple studio recordings, The Broadway Boy's album Lullaby of Broadway and his wildly successful Holiday album A Fierce Christmas. |
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, AMDA alumna J. Elaine Marcos is known for her brilliant comedic timing and scene-stealing roles. She was recently seen in the new Maltby/Shire Musical Waterfall in Bangkok, Thailand. In Los Angeles, J. Elaine appeared in DRAG: the Musical with Alaska, Nick Adams and Joey McIntyre. This consummate artist and triple-threat got her professional start shortly after graduating from AMDA, when she starred in the national tour of A Chorus Line as Connie Wong, and revisited the iconic show at New York City Center as Valerie Clark. On Broadway, J. Elaine made her debut in Miss Saigon, then continued to work in the revivals of Flower Drum Song, Wonderful Town, Sweet Charity, A Chorus Line, and as Lily St. Regis in Annie. J. Elaine originated the roles of Imelda Marcos in The Wedding Singer and the unforgettable Cynthia in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, for which she earned an Astaire Award nomination for Excellence in Dance. Her return to Broadway in Gettin’ the Band Back Together earned her Broadway’s iconic Legacy Robe. |
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. | 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. |
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. | |
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. | |
Enjoy a meal at USA Brooklyn Delicatessen - New York City's favorite flavors all in one place! Serving hot pastrami, hot corned beef & roasted turkey reubens, as well as classic hot sandwiches on marble rye, Roman-style pizza, chicken soup & more! Indulge like a local New Yorker. For more information, visit www.brooklyndelicatessen.com | |
Hotel Edison has been a staple of NYC’s Theater District since 1931, when Thomas Edison turned on the lights. The Art Deco hotel’s vibrant energy, spacious accommodations, and notable restaurants & jazz bar provide a one-of-a-kind refuge in the heart of Times Square. | |
The Broadway Licensing Group collection of titles represents an astonishing 38 Tony Awards and 49 Pulitzer Prize-winning works. The company leverages its team's expertise in licensing, theatrical production, theatre education, and content creation to diversify, strengthen, and rapidly expand its portfolio into new sectors and markets. Founded in 2017, Broadway Licensing Group has quickly scaled, and, as of 2022, the company represents 8 of the Top 10 most produced plays in professional theatres, and 9 of the Top 10 most produced plays in High Schools. | |
Berlin, 1927. Six remarkably talented young men form a singing group who become international sensations: The Comedian Harmonists. They sell millions of records, star in major motion pictures, and play the biggest theaters around the world. By 1935, they were never heard from again. What happened? That’s the extraordinary true story of HARMONY. |
OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES AND REGULATIONS
BROADWAY’S NEXT ON STAGE, SEASON FOUR
Sponsored by BroadwayWorld
Entry into this Contest constitutes your acceptance of these Official Rules.
1. ELIGIBILITY
a. General Eligibility. The contest is open to legal residents of the United States, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico. International residents holding a current student visa for study at a school within the United States are permitted to enter. Employees of BroadwayWorld.com, its affiliates, licensees, franchisees, advertising and promotional agencies and the immediate family members of each are not eligible. Contestants who have performed in a Broadway production, off-Broadway production or national tour are not eligible to enter. There is no purchase necessary to enter or win.
b. Age Limits. Contestants shall be considered “High School Contestants” if (i) their high school graduation year is 2024, 2025, 2026 or 2027; or (ii) they are between the ages of 14-18. Students who will graduate high school in 2024 should enter as “High School Contestants.” Home-schooled students are eligible to enter.
Contestants shall be considered “College Contestants” if (i) their college graduation year is 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027 or 2028; or (ii) if they are between the ages of 18-23. Students not currently enrolled in a college or university but meeting the age range requirements are eligible to participate as “College Contestants.”
c. Parental Consent. Contestants under the age of 18-years old must have a parent or guardian’s permission to participate in the Contest, as noted on the Contestant Entry Form.
d. Prior Entrants. Contestants who have previously entered the competition are eligible to enter again, however Contestants who have won the competition in a prior year shall be ineligible to reenter.
e. Limit on Number of Entries. Each Contestant is limited to one initial entry.
2. HOW TO ENTER
a. Initial submission. All initial submissions must be submitted via our Contestant form. Additionally, Contestants must submit:
b. Communication with Contestant. Contestant must provide an active email address to be used as the primary method of communication throughout the Contest.
3. CONTEST DATES AND WINNER SELECTION
a. Initial Submissions. The Contest shall begin on October 18th, 2023 and initial submissions shall be accepted until November 9th, 2023.
b. First Round. The Contestants from each of the College Contestant and the High School Contestant groups shall be announced when voting beings on November 13th.. Fifteen contestants shall be chosen by audience vote. The voting shall run from November 13th through November 27th, 2023. Any additional contestants shall be chosen by the judges and shall be identified by announcement with a “judge’s pick” title card.
c. Subsequent Rounds. Each Contestant who advances beyond the Top-15 shall submit a new video weekly (as detailed below). New submissions must be received by BroadwayWorld before Monday at 9:00am ET. During the time between the submission deadline and when voting opens, the BroadwayWorld team will embed the entries and prepare the voting pages for the next round. Late submissions may not be accepted.
Voting opens on Mondays at 12 PM ET unless otherwise noted. Audience members may vote for as many contestants as they wish, once per day, per email. Votes will be audited and monitored for fake email addresses. Duplicate votes from the same email address shall be discarded. Audit results will not be released to the public.
In each subsequent round, up until the announcement of the top-3 Contestants on October 13, voting shall determine whether a Contestant advances to the next round. Ranking of Contestants shall be determined by the number of votes received in that week alone. Votes received in previous weeks will not count in subsequent rounds.
In each round, the three Contestants who did not make the next round but received the next highest number of votes, will also be announced. The judges will collectively choose to save one of these three contestants from elimination and allow that Contestant to move to the next round of competition. Judges reserve the right to save more than one contestant on a weekly basis in their sole discretion.
The final three contestants will compete in the final round and the winner shall be determined by the number of votes received in that week.
d. Live Shows. Live shows will premiere on Thursdays unless otherwise noted. After the live show premiere, the full episode will be available on BroadwayWorld’s website, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Contestants are not required to watch the live shows, but it is highly encouraged to hear the voting results and feedback from the judges in real-time.
e. Schedule. The contest period and deadlines shall be as follows:
All finalists will need to be available to travel for the January 14, 2023 finale in New York City.
BroadwayWorld reserves the right to modify or amend the contest period and submission deadlines at its sole discretion and upon notice to all Contestants.
f. Use of Social Media. Contestants are allowed to promote their voting page on social media
4. PRIZES.
Prizes shall be awarded to the winning Contestants as follows:
AMDA Emerging Artists Scholarship - BroadwayWorld Next on Stage Competition
Number of Scholarships: A total of two scholarships will be awarded to the winners of BroadwayWorld’s Next on Stage Competition (one in each category - High School and College)
Award Type: Merit/Need-based
Scholarship Description: AMDA Emerging Artists Scholarships are awarded to incoming students and cover AMDA’s full remaining balance after all other financial aid (Federal Pell & SEOG Grants, Stafford Loans, other sources) are applied. Scholarships will cover all remaining charges including tuition, housing, and food plan. Tuition and housing deposits are also covered. This award is valid for a total of four academic years (up to 8 terms). Renewal of this award will be subject to an official review after the completion of each academic year. Renewed amounts for subsequent academic year(s) may vary from your first-year award. Please note that this award will not create a credit balance on the recipient’s account. If the recipient becomes eligible for any additional aid, including outside/private scholarship or grant funds, this award will be reduced by the amount of the additional aid.
Program Eligibility: The Emerging Artist Scholarship can be applied towards AMDA’s Integrated Conservatory (Musical Theatre, Acting & Dance) in New York City, the Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) in Musical Theatre OR Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre (in-person only) degree programs in Los Angeles.
How to Redeem: Recipients must complete AMDA’s application process and be formally accepted to AMDA College of the Performing Arts. An additional audition will not be required.
Criteria: AMDA Emerging Artists Scholarship recipients must meet. and continue to meet the following criteria throughout the duration of the selected program:
-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.
-Work session with The Telsey Office's Rachel Hoffman: Winners will have a 'work session' with Rachel Hoffman 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)
-Perform at 54 Below for the live season finale, including flights (or other transportation to NYC based on location of origin), hotel.
-Two tickets to a Broadway show during their stay in NYC
All expenses related to the acceptance or use of any prize is the sole responsibility of the prize winner. Prizes are not redeemable for cash, assignable, transferable and may not be substituted except at BroadwayWorld’s sole discretion.
5. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND RELEASES
a. Binding Rules. By entering, Contestants agree to be bound by these rules and the decisions of BroadwayWorld, which shall be final. All federal, state and local laws apply.
b. Limitation of Liability. BroadwayWorld and its employees, officers, directors, shareholders, agents and representatives, affiliates, subsidiaries and advertising, promotion and legal advisors are not responsible for and shall not be liable for: (i) late, lost, delayed, damages, misdirected, incomplete, illegible or unintelligible entries; (ii) electronic, hardware or software program, network, Internet, or computer malfunctions, failures or difficulties; (iii) errors in transmission; (iv) any condition caused by events beyond the control of BroadwayWorld that may cause the contest to be disrupted or terminated; (v) any injuries, losses or damages of any kind caused by or resulting from participant in the contest; of (vi) any printing or typographical errors in any materials associated with the contest.
c. Release of Liability. Contestant hereby releases BroadwayWorld, its subsidiaries, affiliates and divisions and its respective directors, officers, employees and agents from any and all liablity, loss or damage arising from or in connection with your participation or attempt to participate in the Contest and/or the awarding, receipt, use or misuse of a Prize and from claims based on publicity rights, defamation or invasion of privacy.
d. Indemnity. Contestant agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless BroadwayWorld against any claims by any third party related to a breach of any of these Contest Rules, including, but not limited to a claim libel, defamation, invasion of privacy or right of publicity.
6. CONTESTANT DISQUALIFICATION
Contestant acknowledges that BroadwayWorld has the right in its sole discretion to disqualify a Contestant at any time if it determines that the Contestant’s performance is offensive, inappropriate or contrary to BroadwayWorld’s reputation or that the Contestant has not complied with any of the Contest Rules. BroadwayWorld may also disqualify any Contestant for engaging in false or deceptive acts.
BroadwayWorld reserves the right to disqualify and Contestant or winner who, in its sole suspicion, tampers with the entry or submission process, violates these rules or the BroadwayWorld.com Terms and Conditions, or acts in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner.
7. PERMISSIONS
Except where prohibited by law, entry constitutes permission to use winners’ names, hometowns and likenesses for online posting, and/or any advertising and publicity without added compensation.
Contestant irrevocably grants to BroadwayWorld a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual license to use Contestant’s submission(s) and/or performance(s) in any manner related to the Contest, including all associated use, reproduction, distribution, sublicense, derivative works and commercial and non-commercial uses, including any BroadwayWorld website, blogs and/or social media related to the Contest; promotions and communications related to the Contest; newsletters, articles, reports and publications related to the Contest; and exhibitions of the Contest submissions and winners.
8. PRIVACY
Personal information collected from online entries is subject to BroadwayWorld’s Privacy Policy, which can be found at www.broadwayworld.com/privacy; provided that, in the event of any conflict between these Contest Rules and such Privacy Policy, the terms and conditions of these Contest Rules prevail. As a condition of entering the Contest, each Contestant gives consent for Sponsor to obtain and deliver the Contestant’s name, address and other information to third parties for the purpose of administering this Contest and to comply with applicable laws, regulations and rules, including, without limitation, the storing of your personal information for purposes of complying with state record retention requirements.
9. Inquiries or Questions.
Any inquiries or questions regarding this contest may be sent by email to contact@broadwayworld.com or by regular mail to Wisdom Digital Media, 1180 Avenue of the Americas, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
THIS CONTEST IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. CONTEST IS GOVERNED BY U.S. LAW AND SUBJECT TO ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
Mia Cherise Hall
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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