| BroadwayWorld's | ||
NEXT ON STAGE |
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| Season 6 | ||
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& Atlantic Acting School |
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| Sponsored by 54 Below Music Theatre International & The Westin New York at Times Square |
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| Hosted by: Ben Cameron |
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Derek Klena J. Elaine Marcos |
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Courtney Reed Kate Rockwell |
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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.
Season 6 Schedule:
| December 12th | Top 5 Results Show |
| December 19th | Top 3 Results Show |
| January 18th | Live Finale at 54 Below in NYC |
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Who's Who
Before they were stars...
They were students just like you! Ever wondered how your favorite Broadway stars really got their start on stage? They were high school theatre kids once, too! BroadwayWorld asked Micaela Diamond, Jessica Chastain, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Matthew Morrison, and more to reveal the roles they played in their high school productions. See what they had to say:
Meet Our Past Winners
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Judges
J. Harrison Ghee is a Tony Award and Grammy Award winner who made history as the first nonbinary actor to win Best Leading Actor in a Musical for creating the role as “Daphne/Jerry” in Some Like It Hot, which also garnered them Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards. They've recently starred in Saturday Church and the musical premiere of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Other stage credits include Kinky Boots as "Lola"; Mrs. Doubtfire, where they created the role of “Andre Mayhem”; and co-starred opposite Harry Connick, Jr. in The Sting. On screen, they've appeared in FOX's Accused, Netflix’s Raising Dion and HBO’s High Maintenance. Ghee is passionate about using their artistry to inspire others to dream big and live boldly.
Derek Klena was most recently seen on Broadway as “Fiyero” in Wicked, after making his Broadway debut in the show during its 10th Anniversary back in 2013! Previously, Derek received a Tony Award nomination for originating the role of Nick Healy in Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill. Other Broadway: Moulin Rouge, Anastasia (OBC), The Bridges of Madison County (OBC). Off-Broadway/Regional: Sunset Boulevard (Kennedy Center), Dogfight (Second Stage, Clive Barnes Award nomination), Carrie (MCC), Diner (Signature Theatre D.C.), Unknown Soldier (Williamstown Theatre Festival), Hairspray (Hollywood Bowl). Television: “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin," “City on a Hill," “The Code,” “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” “Quantico,” “Blue Bloods.”
With extensive credits on Broadway and in film and television, J. Elaine Marcos is known for her comedic timing and scene-stealing roles. She was recently seen in DRAG: the Musical and 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
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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.
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. You can currently see her off-Broadway in Reunions at New York City Center.
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 recently starred in Heathers Off-Broadway, and was seen earlier this year in the world premiere of the entirely-original new musical Regency Girls at the Old Globe Theater. She’s been seen as Anna on Amazon Prime’s Harlem and Nina Bennett on Fox’s Almost Family, and on Tick…Tick… Boom!, 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 Marilyn Barnett in the world premiere of Anna Deveare Smith’s Love All (La Jolla Playhouse). Rockwell has had the pleasure of performing at some of the most renowned concert halls in America, including Carnegie Hall, Boston Symphony Hall (with the Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops), and the Kennedy Center. 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 adoring mama.
The Prizes:
About BroadwayWorld:
Wisdom Digital Media Publishing launched in 2001 and its flagship site, BroadwayWorld.com, in 2003. BroadwayWorld is the largest theatre site on the internet, covering Broadway, the West End and beyond to 100 US cities, 45 countries and in 12 languages worldwide. With over six million monthly visitors, BroadwayWorld delivers complete up-to-the-minute Broadway, off-Broadway, and regional theatre news, in-depth interviews, extraordinary photo coverage, entertaining video features, lively message boards, ticket discounts, reviews, and more.
As an industry leader in all things live entertainment, the site's coverage includes TV, film, streaming, movies, music, concerts, opera, dance, classical music and more with exclusive features for industry professionals and ticket-buyers.
In 2020, the site unveiled a major redesign, and launched numerous new businesses including the Theatre Shop, Online Education, BroadwayWorld Research, Industry Pro and more. During the Broadway shutdown, the site continued to light a path with several new features including Next on Stage, Living Room Concerts, broadcasting Stars in the House, Backstage Live with Richard Ridge, brainteasers & more reaching record site traffic, supporting charities and spotlighting artists and organizations.
In May of 2023, the site celebrated its 20th Anniversary with a massive redesign and a star-studded celebration at Sony Hall, benefitting our longtime friends and collaborators at Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS - hosted by Chita Rivera and Richard Ridge and featuring performances by Tony, Emmy and Grammy-winning stars of stage and screen. At the event, New York City's Mayor, Eric Adams officially proclaimed May 21, 2023 as BroadwayWorld Day.
About AMDA:
For over 60 years, AMDA College of the Performing Arts has been recognized throughout the entertainment industry for its rich history and tradition of launching some of the most successful careers in theatre, film, television, and music. With campuses in New York City and Los Angeles—the nation’s two performing arts capitals—AMDA delivers world-class training that empowers the next generation of actors, singers, dancers, and storytellers. Learn more at www.amda.edu
About Atlantic Acting School:
Founded in 1985, the renowned Atlantic Acting School is one of the best acting schools in New York City. As the only acting conservatory offering in-depth training in Practical Aesthetics—the Atlantic Technique, as outlined in A Practical Handbook for the Actor—Atlantic equips aspiring actors with unmatched creative, technical, and professional skills. Learn more at atlanticactingschool.org.
Sponsors:
Music Theatre International
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
54 Below, a recipient of the 2022 TONY AWARDS Honor for Excellence in the Theatre, is a non-profit organization 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 and providing unparalleled audience experiences.
The Westin New York at Times Square
The Westin New York at Times Square, a luxurious AAA Four Diamond ranked hotel, is at the crossroads of the world with a coveted W. 43rd Street address amid the brilliance of Broadway. The hotel is within walking distance to over three dozen theatres and many famous New York City attractions, with nearby subway access making the rest of the city easily accessible. All 873 Westin New York at Times Square hotel rooms and suites, touted amongst the largest in NYC, feature the luxurious Westin Heavenly Bed and Heavenly Bath, with incredible views of the city skyline and the Hudson River. Its duo of presidential suites, atop the hotel on the 44th and 45th floors, are sprawling at 1,800-plus square feet and feature a marble entry way, breathtaking views, butler's pantry, dining room, living room with entertainment system, Whirlpool and a separate bedroom. The hotel features Foundry Kitchen & Bar, a sought after spot for creative cocktails and delicious bites, overlooking Eighth Avenue. It is the perfect place to gather and unwind after a day of exploring or meetings. The Westin New York at Times Square is a certified GOLD member of the Green Hotels Association. www.marriott.com/nycsw
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