Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year 2026

SSSSPOTY is back for its 18th year! Once again, the best young performers from across the UK assemble in the Sondheim Theatre for an afternoon celebrating the legendary composer-lyricist… and one of them will be crowned the Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year!

The 12 student finalists will be guided through their songs by Musical Director Nigel Lilley (Follies, Company, Next to Normal, Hello, Dolly!) and heading up the panel of celebrity judges as Chair of the Jury will be writer and broadcaster Edward Seckerson. Joining Edward in the judges' box will be Sondheim Society patron, Olivier winner and Tony nominee Jenna Russell (Sondheim on Sondheim, Merrily We Roll Along, Sunday in the Park with George), who will also be handing over the prizes.

To help us celebrate the work of Sondheim will be an ensemble from the National Youth Music Theatre, and songwriters from the New UK Musicals stable will provide the competitors with a recently written song to complement their Sondheim number. Look out, too, for some special guests!

So, join us for a spectacular gala final in a competition that has already recognised winners such as Taron Egerton (Rocketman, Kingsman), Erin Doherty (The Crown, Chloe, Les Misérables), Alex Young (Follies, Into the Woods, Standing at Sky’s Edge) and Courtney Bowman (Pretty Woman, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Legally Blonde). This is your chance to say: “I saw them here first!”