The final of the 11th annual Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year, incorporating the Stiles + Drewe Prize, was held at the Noël Coward Theatre in St Martin’s Lane, London, on the afternoon of 11th June 2017. The event, co-produced by The Stephen Sondheim Society and Mercury Musical Developments (MMD), once again presented the 12 best students of drama and musical theatre courses – as selected by Chairman of the July Edward Seckerson and Musical Director Steve Ridley – competing for a £1,000 first prize, and a runner’s-up prize of £500.
Joining the students were 12 songwriters or songwriting partnerships vying for both the £1,000 Best New Song award and the much-coveted Stiles + Drewe Prize: a year of mentorship from George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, awarded to the writer(s) of the new musical that shows the most potential.
Student Performer of the Year winner was Izuka Hoylewith runners-up Shaq Taylor and Oscar Conlon-Morrey.