⭐ THE STEPHEN SONDHEIM SOCIETY STUDENT PERFORMER OF THE YEAR 2026 FINALISTS ANNOUNCED ⭐
The 2026 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 2026 returns for its 18th year, this June.
The final will be hosted by the award-winning actor, singer, comedian and cabaret artist Oscar Conlon-Morrey. He returns to SSSSPOTY after winning the special Julia McKenzie prize at the event back in 2017 while a student at Mountview.
The Stephen Sondheim Society (a charitable trust founded in 1993) asked for the first round of auditions to be made via video. More than 350 submissions were received, 81 of which qualified for a live, in-person audition with this year’s chair of judges Edward Seckerson, musical director Nigel Lilley and guest judge Laura Pitt-Pulford. Twelve finalists were selected, with 3 students held in reserve.
The 12 finalists are:
Ruby Decent – Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
Charlotte English – Bird College
Cait du Feu – Mountview
Marcus Harman – Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
Rebecca Hennessey – Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
Róisín Holland – Emil Dale Academy
Taziva-Faye Katsande – Bird College
Samuel Louis Bennett – Trinity Laban
Erica Schoebinger – Drama Studio London
Josephine Shaw – Royal College of Music
Rosie Sutton – University of Oxford
Freddy Thompson – Trinity Laban
Reserves are:
Phoebe Graham – LAMDA
Nicholas McKeown – Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
Teddy Thompson – ArtsEd
The winner will receive £1,000 and the chance to headline their own Sondheim-infused cabaret in London. The runner-up is awarded £500. A 3rd prize of £250 has been donated in memory of critic and Stephen Sondheim Society member, Jeremy Chapman.
The students will perform for a panel of highly respected West End performers and critics, featuring Jenna Russell, Edward Seckerson, Melanie La Barrie, Andy Nyman, Rachel Tucker and Matt Wolf.
THE STEPHEN SONDHEIM SOCIETY STUDENT PERFORMER OF THE YEAR will be held at the Sondheim Theatre, London, on Sunday 7th June 2026 – 3pm, with tickets on sale now.
Congratulations to all the students! ! !
Thoughts? X x x
Tickets & more info – https://www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk/whats-on/sssspoty26
