The 12 finalists for the Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year 2025 have been revealed, with the prestigious competition returning for its 17th year.
The gala final will take place at the Sondheim Theatre on Sunday 8 June at 3pm, hosted by Olivier Award nominee Rosalie Craig.
Craig, known for her acclaimed performance as Bobbie in the gender-reversed Company, will lead the event, which celebrates the very best in emerging musical theatre talent.
This year’s Chair of Judges is Jenna Russell, stepping in for regular Chair Edward Seckerson. She will be joined by Clare Foster, Catherine Jayes, and composer Darren Clark.
Over 330 students submitted video auditions, with 80 invited to live callbacks. From these, 12 finalists and two reserves were selected.
The 2025 finalists are:
- Hasia Akwaboah (Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama)
- Sophie Anne Baker (Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama)
- Georgia Blessitt (Royal Academy of Music)
- Becky Bush (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art)
- Maria Collins (Arts1)
- Jamie Cushion (Trinity Laban)
- Rigby Edwards (Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama)
- Hudson Harden Scheel (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland)
- Georgie Lagden (Royal Academy of Music)
- Ella McLaughlin (Emil Dale)
- Lotte Pearl (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School)
- Nimi Spiff (Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts)
Reserves: Jess Pratley (ArtsEd) and Dominic Wood (Laine Theatre Arts)
Each finalist will perform one song by Stephen Sondheim and one new musical theatre song from NEW UK MUSICALS, the initiative founded by Darren Clark.
Craig Glenday, Chair of The Stephen Sondheim Society, said:
“We’re in our 17th year of SSSSPOTY, and the competition goes from strength to strength. This year, the talent on offer was exceptional, making the selection of the finalists incredibly difficult. Our MD Nigel Lilley acknowledged the live heats as being the most challenging he’d ever experienced in the competition, owing to the calibre of each student. But it’s a great problem to have, and it bodes well… not just for the grand final at the Sondheim Theatre, but also for the future of musical theatre in the UK and beyond.”
The final will be directed by Hannah Chissick and will also feature a performance by the National Youth Music Theatre.
A special highlight of the event will be the debut of a previously unreleased song by Schmigadoon! creator Cinco Paul, originally written for Ariana DeBose and Dove Cameron.
The winner will receive £1,000 and the opportunity to headline a Sondheim-themed cabaret in London. The runner-up will receive £500.
Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year has a strong legacy of spotlighting future stars, with past winners including Taron Egerton, Alex Young, and Erin Doherty.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
