The Stephen Sondheim Society and Mercury Musical Developments announced the winners of the Student Performer of the Year and Stiles + Drewe Prize at the 10th anniversary West End Gala at the Novello Theatre hosted by Julian Ovenden on 15 May.
The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year was awarded to 21-year-old Courtney Bowman from Boston in Lincolnshire, who performed “Me and My Town” from Sondheim’s Anyone Can Whistle and “The Driving Lesson” from Heart of Winter by Tim Connor. Bowman was selected out of 12 finalists from musical theatre courses in the UK for the £1,000 first prize.
Eleanor Jackson was runner-up for her performances of the title song from Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George and “More to Life” by James Burn.
Tim Connor was presented with the £1,000 Stiles + Drewe Prize for Best New Song for “Back To School” from Heart of Winter (story/dramaturgy by Lia Buddle).
The new Stiles and Drew Mentorship Award went to Darren Clark and Rhys Jennings for their new musical The Wicker Husband. They will receive 12 months of mentorship and support, which will include monthly writers’ labs, a one-week writing retreat, and two panel-led progress labs, ending the year with an industry showcase.
The winners were selected by a panel of judges that included Don Black, Jason Carr, Anne Reid MBE, Thea Sharrock, Paul Hart, Lotte Wakeham, Julia McKenzie and Sophie-Louise Dann. The student performer judging panel was chaired by writer and broadcaster Edward Seckerson.