⭐ THE STEPHEN SONDHEIM SOCIETY STUDENT PERFORMER OF THE YEAR 2025 FINALISTS ANNOUNCED ⭐
The 2025 finalists for THE STEPHEN SONDHEIM SOCIETY STUDENT PERFORMER OF THE YEAR have been announced.
THE STEPHEN SONDHEIM SOCIETY STUDENT PERFORMER OF THE YEAR competition – affectionately known as SSSSPOTY – was inaugurated in 2007, and in 2025 returns for its 17th year, this June.
The final will be hosted by Olivier Award nominee Rosalie Craig, who wowed audiences as Bobbie in the gender-reversed Company in London’s West End.
The Stephen Sondheim Society (a charitable trust founded in 1993) asked for the first round of auditions to be made via video. More than 330 submissions were received, 80 of which qualified for a live, in-person audition with this year’s Chair of Judges Jenna Russell (Merrily We Roll Along, Sunday in the Park with George and Into the Woods) and musical director Nigel Lilley (Here We Are and Follies). As a result, 12 finalists were selected, with two students held in reserve.
The 12 finalists are:
Hasia Akwaboah – Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
Sophie Anne Baker – Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
Georgia Blessitt – RAM – Royal Academy of Music
Becky Bush – RADA – Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Maria Collins – Arts1
Jamie Cushion – Trinity Laban
Rigby Edwards – Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
Georgie Lagden – RAM – Royal Academy of Music
Ella McLaughlin – Emil Dale
Lotte Pearl – Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
Hudson Harden Scheel – Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Nimi Spiff – Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts
Reserves are:
Jess Pratley – ArtsEd
Dominic Wood – Laine Theatre Arts
The winner will receive £1,000 and the chance to headline their own Sondheim-infused cabaret in London. The runner-up is awarded £500.
The students will perform for a panel of highly respected judges drawn from West End directors, musical directors and performers. Jenna Russell, a patron of The Stephen Sondheim Society, will this year act as Chair of Judges, owing to regular Chair Edward Seckerson being indisposed. Among Jenna’s panel will be performer Clare Foster, musical director Catherine Jayes and composer Darren Clark.
THE STEPHEN SONDHEIM SOCIETY STUDENT PERFORMER OF THE YEAR will be held at the Sondheim Theatre, on Sunday 8th June 2025 – 3pm, with tickets on sale now.
Always a highlight of my theatre-going calendar! ! !
Thoughts? X x x
Tickets & more info – https://www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk/whats-on/sssspoty-2025
