Photo Flash: LA's Annual Next Great Stage Star 2015 Search Begins

By: BWW News Desk Jan. 05, 2015

Michael Sterling (Creator/Executive Producer) and Barbara Van Orden (Sponsor/Co-Executive Producer) proudly presented the critically acclaimed and highly anticipated LA's Next Great Stage Star competitions. The 2015 season began this weekend with its launch last Sunday, January 5th, in North Hollywood, CA. at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal. Scroll down for photos!

The only musical theatre competition of its kind on the west coast, now in its tenth anniversary, shines the spotlight on twenty undiscovered performers ranging in age between 18 and 32. Subsequent Sunday competition dates will be held January 5, 11, 18, 25, and Feb 1 with its Grand Finale on Sunday, February 8. To date, a combination of 8 Stage Star winners and contestants have since made their off-Broadway and/or Broadway debuts, with 2010 winner Janet Krupin having made her Broadway debut in the hit musical "Bring it On" and 2010 fourth runner up Derek Klena starring on Broadway as Fiyero in the mega hit musical "Wicked" and 2012 1st runner-up, Carrie St Louis going on to appear in "Rock of Ages" in Vegas and eventually Broadway. Ns, St Louis will soon be seen as Glinda in "Wicked" at the Pantages in Los Angeles.

This years talented competitors include: Elizabeth Adabale, Hagin Cho, Arielle Fishman, Hannah Goodman, Melvin Biteng, Rachael Johnson, Jotape Lockwood, Elizabeth Pye, Griffin Barr, Kelley Dorney, Cole Cuomo, Dylan MacDonald, Alexandra Hartman, D.J. Blickenstaff, Alex Allan, Claire Adams, Patrick Reilly, Mack Cary, Tory Stolper and Matthew Solomon

Past judges have included some of the industries most respected names including, Michael Donovan (Casting TV. Film, Theatre - Artios Award Winner), K.C. Gussler (Casting Director for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts) and Mark Simon (LA Music Center and Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper and Ahmanson Theatres).

The 9th year production's team includes: Michael Sterling (Executive Producer), Barbara Van Orden (Co-Executive Producer), James Lent (Musical Director), Joe Giamalva (Choreographer), Susie McGiver-Ewing (associate choreographer)and Peter Welkin (Associate Producer).

Photo Credit: Bill Dow

Photo Flash: LA's Annual Next Great Stage Star 2015 Search Begins Image
Joe Giamalva (Choreographer), Michael Sterling (Executive Producer), Barbara Van Orden (Co-Executive Producer), Peter Welkin (Associate Producer), Susie McGiver-Ewing (associate choreographer) in front of this years young hopefuls

Photo Flash: LA's Annual Next Great Stage Star 2015 Search Begins Image
Barbara Van Orden spends time with each of the 2015 contestants during rehearsal - Lft to Rt: Elizabeth Adabale, Melvin Biteng, Barbara Van Orden, Mack Cary, Rachael Johnson & D.J. Blickenstaff

Photo Flash: LA's Annual Next Great Stage Star 2015 Search Begins Image
Barbara Van Orden (center) shares her experiences with Frank Sinatra with contestants Kelley Dorney, Alex Allan, Alexandra Hartman, Dylan MacDonald and Hannah Goodman

Photo Flash: LA's Annual Next Great Stage Star 2015 Search Begins Image
Barbara Van Orden (center) shares stage humorous stage anecdotes about working the Playboy Clubs with contestants Matthew Solomon, Arielle Fishman, Tory Stolper and Jotape Lockwood

Photo Flash: LA's Annual Next Great Stage Star 2015 Search Begins Image
Taking a break backstage during rehearsals for LA Next Great Stage Star - Hagin Cho, Cole Cuomo, Barbara Van Orden and Patrick Reilly

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