Are You The Next Showstopper at Theater 555

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Michael Clarkston

The N’Kenge Foundation

929-673-5033

Production.nkenge.foundation@gmail.com

www.nkengefoundation.org

Despite National Cuts in Arts Funding & School Arts Programs:

N’Kenge Foundation Becomes A Lifeline for Young Performers

New York, NY — May 16, 2025 — As federal funding for the arts continues to be slashed at alarming rates, one non profit is giving young performers the opportunity of a lifetime. On Saturday, May 17 at 3:00 PM, the N’Kenge Foundation presents “Are You the Next Showstopper?! at the iconic off broadway Theatre 555, providing a bold, high-stakes platform for emerging artists—and making a powerful statement about the urgency of investing in arts education. Tickets for this All-Star Event are now available at nkengefoundation.org

While the theater world gears up for the Tony Awards, a new generation of stars is taking center stage. Out of almost one hundred national applicants, 15 finalists ages 12–32 will compete in two age groups, showcasing their skills as singers, dancers, and actors. The stakes? A chance to win the $500 People’s Choice Award, the coveted Judges’ All Star Award, and the ultimate Grand Prize—an all-expenses-paid trip to Paris to perform and train with top-tier Broadway and Hollywood professionals in the Ultimate Paris Summer Arts Festival.

Those finalists competing are:

Michael Abramov, Quincy Adair, Julie Biancheri, Willow Lautenberg, Christopher Miller, Jaidyn Moodie, Maryann Murray, Samridhi Nia Pandey, Matteo Russo, Mia Soleil Sanchez, Arianna Sangram, Gus Schonfeld, Nicole Suazo, Jojo Vittoria, Emily Trias and Olivia Wu.

 who will be judged by a powerhouse panel of Broadway and entertainment professionals, including:

Ben Cameron (Wicked, Broadway Sessions host),

Beverly Jensen (Royal Academy of the Arts, Choreographer)  

Donnie Kehr (Jersey Boys, The Who’s Tommy) 

Michael Musto (Village Voice) 

Stephanie Rosenberg (Tony Award Wining Broadway Producer, Moulin Rouge!)

Salisha Thomas (Once Upon a One More Time, Beautiful), 

Winners will head to Paris to train with an elite lineup of global talent:

David Lee Brewer (Beyoncé’s vocal coach),

Lou Stancil (Will Smith’s acting coach),

Avery Wilson (Pop star & The Voice alum),

Helen Goldsby (Broadway’s Porgy & Bess),

and Broadway star N’Kenge herself.

This year’s Showstoppers competition is held in partnership with the Big Apple Talent Competition in collaboration with TyNia Brandon (The Lion King, Some Like It Hot) and Salisha Thomas of The Salisha Show, Theater 555, Kenneithia Mitchell and Ultimate Paris Summer Arts the best emerging talent from across the country.

Special guests for the live event are Jahzara Martina (Disney, Met Opera),  N’Kenge will host the all star event, TyNia Brandon serves as Associate Producer and Michael T Clarkston and N’Kenge are the Executive Producers. 

Deepening the impact, the N’Kenge Foundation is also offering morning workshops taught by the judging panel and top choreographers, focusing on swing/understudy training, branding, and Broadway dance technique. Workshops begin at 10:00 AM and open to the public.

A limited number of general admission tickets ($25) are available now at www.nkengefoundation.org (http://www.nkengefoundation.org/)

Auction Now Live: Bid on Once-in-a-Lifetime Experiences (https://www.biddingforgood.com/-nkengefoundation)

In tandem with the competition, the N’Kenge Foundation has launched an online fundraising auction to support arts access initiatives for underserved youth. Featured items include:

- A signed guitar from music legend Prince
- A private astronaut training experience
- VIP treatment at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
- Luxury international vacation packages
- High-end designer jewelry
- An exclusive aerial lesson with celebrity coach Jamal Story, Cher’s aerialist

Fundraising Campaign for the Future of the Arts

A new peer-to-peer fundraising campaign has also launched via Zeffy, allowing friends, family, and fans to support contestants directly. 50% of the People’s Choice Award will be based on the funds each contestant raises, with the remainder decided by live audience votes. Contestants are encouraged to build their own campaign pages and tell the world why they are the next true Showstopper

Why This?

Arts programs are vanishing across the country,” said Michael T. Clarkston Director of Development of the N’Kenge Foundation. “But we believe that every young person deserves a stage, a mentor, and a chance to shine. This is not just a competition—it is a mission.”

As the nation reels from sweeping federal cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts and public school arts programs, Are You the Next Showstopper?! stands as a critical reminder of what is at stake—and a beacon of hope for the next generation of performers.

Special Thanks to our generous partners and sponsors:

TyNia Brandon, Ben Cameron, Dennis K Creary II, Dan Demello,Dawn Derow, Kira Faiman, Jim Friedlander, Y Dolly Fox, Beverly Jensen, Donnie Kehr, Kimberly Lara, Jahzara Martina,

Michael Musto, Simion Pacurar, Stephanie Rosenberg, Immpana Srri, Salisha Thomas, Vivian Wu, Dr. Wu

Big Apple Talent Competition, Crab House, Lunella Ristorante, Reel Works, The Salisha Show, Theater 555, Ultimate Paris Summer Arts and the N’Kenge Foundation, whose mission is to uplift underrepresented artists through training, mentorship, and performance opportunities.

The day begins at 10:00 am with exclusive professional development workshops, open to both finalists and the public, red carpet is at 2pmand the competition begins at 3pm. Tickets  are $10 -$25

GET TICKETS & WORKSHOP PASSES HERE (https://www.nkengefoundation.org/events-1/are-you-the-next-showstopper-talent-competition)

Theater 555

555 West 42nd St New York, NY 10036

www.nkengefoundation.org (http://www.nkengefoundation.org/)

It is more than a competition—it is a launchpad. Join us May 17and witness the next generation of Showstoppers. 

About N’Kenge Foundation

Our mission is to educate, mentor, inspire, and uplift through the arts by magnifying bipoc stories in educational initiatives as well as community engagement programs focused on mental health and healing through the arts. We want to ensure that these powerful narratives are accessible through all multimedia efforts. This is a great space to share the impact of our work in the community and how we strive to make a difference through various artistic initiatives. We believe in the transformative power of the arts and are dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals to express themselves creatively.

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For press inquiries, interview requests, or media coverage:
Contact: Michael Clarkston

929-673-5033
Email: Production.nkenge.foundation@gmail.com

Website: www.nkengefoundation.com