BroadwayCon’s first annual “Star to Be” competition featured performances from 11 of the best and brightest young performers chosen from an online talent search. The event was judged by Tony Award winner LaChanze, BroadwayCon co-founder Anthony Rapp, and casting director Tara Rubin. Broadway Sessions’ Ben Cameron hosted.
From a Kinky Boots medley (complete with thigh-high red boots!) performed by Aidan Passaro, who appeared as Young Charlie on tour, to Terrence Berry’s impressive original rap inspired by the music of Hamilton, there was no shortage of talent on the BroadwayCon mainstage.
Performers included Berry, Iyana Colby, Dennis Dizon, Chloe Drohen, Austin Howard, Kayla Lily, Chloe McSwain, Marina Sneider, Maddy Murphy, Nyssa Sara Lee, and Passaro.
After all 11 young artists had performed, The Broadway League President Charlotte St. Martin introduced Jimmy Award winners Amina Faye (2016 Best Performance by an Actress) and Anthony Skillman (2015 Best Performance by an Actor).
Faye belted out a powerful “I Can Cook Too” from On The Town, while Skillman delivered a heartfelt “Stranger” from Big Fish as the judges deliberated.
Iyana Colby, who performed “You Don’t Know This Man” from Jason Robert Brown’s Parade, was named BroadwayCon’s first ever Star to Be and won a flight, a ticket to BroadwayCon 2018, and an invitation to perform at next year’s competition.
