February 14, 2024, Carson City - In February 2024, Youth Theatre Carson City’s Showstoppers show choir traveled to Southern California to compete in the Musical Theatre Competitions of America, a national competition against teams representing from across North America and learning from some of Broadway’s biggest and brightest stars.
Youth Theatre Carson City brought home several honors. The Showstoppers auditioned against over a thousand other students and many were selected to participate in featured musical numbers in front of the entire convention of over 2000 people at the close of the festival. Bay Eaton and Parker Schmid were selected to work with Broadway Veteran Joe Abraham, whose Broadway credits include Hairspray and Disney’s The Little Mermaid in numbers from A Chorus Line and performed alongside Broadway legend Nikki Snelson, whose Broadway credits include Legally Blonde and Sweet Charity. Benjamin Achoka and Nygel Toreson were featured in a “Grease” production number created by famed Director/Choreographer John Vaughn. All four boys got to share the stage with two of the original queens from the smash Broadway hit, SIX, Samantha Pauley and Andrea Macasaet. Director Andie Wilkerson was recognized for her dedication to Theatre Education and her creative staging and writing.
Above receiving recognition and accolades, the Showstoppers also had the chance to learn alongside the country’s top performers and directors in the field. Kylie Carrigan was one of 4 students selected to work one-on-one in a special master class with Hamilton star Sabrina Sloan, and all 18 Showstoppers and their directors were honored with a special private master class with the above mentioned Joe Abraham. “I couldn’t be more proud of all our amazing young performers and the hard work they have put into their performances this season,” commented Andie Wilkerson, Youth Theatre Carson City’s Artistic Director. “Not only are they incredibly talented, but they are incredibly kind, driven, enthusiastic and compassionate individuals.”
You can catch the Youth Theatre Carson City Showstoppers as they perform their Spring Musical, James and the Giant Peach, Jr. March 1-3 and YTCC’s Annual Spotlight Awards March 23 at the Carson City Community Center. Visit our website www.youththeatrecarsoncity.com for more information and to purchase tickets.
About the Youth Theatre Carson City Showstoppers
The Youth Theatre Carson City Showstoppers are a special group of performers, hand-picked from the most talented, dedicated and enthusiastic members of the Youth Theatre Carson City program. Made up of 18 local young singers, dancers and actors between the ages of 10-18, the Showstoppers tour and compete bringing their love of the arts to their community, and now to a national stage.
About MTCA
Musical Theatre Competitions of America was established in 2005 to provide a competitive and educational event for Musical Theatre students and directors. Over the three-day event, students participated in professional-style auditions, competed with both group and individual performance pieces, took master classes from Broadway professionals and received personalized feedback from industry professionals.