Educational Initiatives
"Teaching is a sacred profession" – Stephen Sondheim
As part of its charity remit, The Stephen Sondheim Society is committed to encouraging young and up-and-coming talent. We do this through various events such as The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year (SSSSPOTY) competition, Brush Up Your Sondheim educational weekends at the Royal Academy of Music, cabarets and showcases involving students and recent graduates, masterclasses with renowned industry professionals, and the sponsoring of youth theatre projects that choose to tackle the work of Stephen Sondheim.
Recent projects include:
The Art of Making Art at the V&A Museum
A day in the V&A's beautiful Lydia and Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre for a Q&A with Rosalie Craig, Janie Dee and Julian Ovenden hosted by Matt Wolf. This was followed by a masterclass by Janie with members of the National Youth Music Theatre then a cabaret with Janie and friends to showcase the work of the NYMT, with MD
Associated Studios Sondheim Masterclass with Gareth Valentine
We sponsored student Conor Quinn to take part in this Sondheim-themed masterclass with renowned Musical Director Gareth Valentine.
Melissa Errico at LAMDA
We asked our friend and Broadway star Melissa to host a masterclass with musical theatre students, in advance of our SSSSPOTY competition (see below).
South London Youth Theatre – Sweeney Todd
Four places on SLYT's summer workshop were funded by the Society. Children aged 9–19 were given just 10 working days to rehearse and perform the fully staged Sweeney Todd. We also arranged for a masterclass with the actor Peter Polycarpou, who starred in the Chichester and Adelphi productions. This year, SLYT are tackling West Side Story, and we're once again granting funds for four youngsters to take part.
The Stephen Sondheim Society Presents...
Our monthly cabaret at the Phoenix Artist Club in Soho, London, provides opportunities for students of Musical Theatre to take to the stage to perform their favourite Sondheim numbers. This year, the focus of the cabarets has shifted to Showcases for the various music colleges in the UK, starting with LAMDA.
Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year (SSSSPOTY)
Our annual competition – now in its 13th year – is a celebration of the UK's most talented students of musical theatre. Twelve finalists, whittled down from as many as 80 candidates each year, are invited to perform on a West End stage, often giving these young performers their first taste of a West End theatre.
Brush Up Your Sondheim (BUYS)
Our annual competition – now in its 13th year – is a celebration of the UK's most talented students of musical theatre. Twelve finalists, whittled down from as many as 80 candidates each year, are invited to perform on a West End stage, often giving these young performers their first taste of a West End theatre.
Archive at Kingston University
The Society maintains a large collection of ephemera, scripts, books, posters, etc, for access to Sondheim researchers. Our most recent acquisition is a number of costumes from the original Broadway production of Follies.
We need your help!
If you would like to help us fund educational activities, we're always keen to hear from sponsors – any donations are really appreciated. Perhaps you could buy advertising space in our SSSSPOTY programme, or donate the cost of a student placement at a masterclass?
If you're an educator who wishes to help, we'd also like to hear from you.
For more information, email craig.glenday@sondheim.org