News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Next on Stage Season 4

Next On Stage: Season 4Microphone

Next on Stage Season 4 Next on Stage Season 4
Next on Stage Season 4

Next On Stage Season 4

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.

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.


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.

-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)

All Finalists Will:

-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.


Contest Schedule: 

October 18th Submissions Open
November 9th Submissions Close
November 13th First Round Voting Begins
November 27th First Round Voting Closes
December 1st Top 15 Results Show
December 8th Top 10 Results Show
December 15th Top 5 Results Show
December 22nd Top 3 Results Show
January 14th Live Finale at 54 Below in NYC

Submission Guidelines:

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.


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. 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 A​laddin 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​, A​ll 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. 


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.
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.



Meet Past Winners

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.
 



Videos


TICKET CENTRAL

Recommended For You