Showstopper Masterclasses

Showstopper Masterclasses & Final Competition

Open to All Aspiring Performers, Creatives & Educators

Spend the Day Inside a New York Landmark

Before the lights go up on the Are You the Next Showstopper?! National Finals, spend the day inside one of New York's most legendary artistic institutions — learning from the artists, casting professionals, and educators who are actually doing the work.

Showstopper Masterclasses is built for the singer, actor, dancer, musician, and multi-hyphenate creative who is ready to stop waiting and start moving. Educators and parents are equally welcome; many of our most powerful conversations happen across generations in this room. Space is limited.

Masterclass Schedule

Registration opens at 11:30 AM.

12:00 PM - Welcome & Showstopper Kickoff

A short welcome from The N'Kenge Foundation team and an overview of the day ahead.

12:15 PM – 12:50 PM — #1 Welcome / Private Guided Tour of The Players

Step inside one of New York's most iconic artistic landmarks. Begin your Showstopper experience with an exclusive guided tour of The Players, the legendary private club founded by famed Shakespearean actor Edwin Booth, brother of John Wilkes Booth.

Originally Booth's personal mansion, this extraordinary historic space was transformed into a gathering place for actors, artists, writers, and creative visionaries, and remains the only active cultural institution today in its original location.

Guests will explore:

• Historic performance and gathering spaces

• Rare theatrical memorabilia and artifacts

• Portraits and collections honoring entertainment legends

• The stunning architecture and design of this Gilded Age mansion

• Stories of the artists, performers, and change-makers who walked these halls

A rare behind-the-scenes look into one of New York's hidden theatrical treasures.

1:00 PM – 1:50 PM — #1 Building Your Brand as a Performer 

N'Kenge, Immpana Srri, Anzhelika Steen Olsen

Talent gets noticed. Branding gets remembered. In today's entertainment industry, your online presence matters just as much as your audition room presence. Learn how to create a compelling identity that helps open doors.

Topics include:

• Growing your presence on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and emerging platforms

• Creating content that gets engagement

• Defining your personal brand: your voice, style, image, and story

• What casting teams, agents, and producers notice online

• Turning followers, fans, and visibility into real opportunities

Perfect for artists who want to stand out in a crowded industry.

2:00 PM – 2:50 PM — #2 From Talent to Career: Breaking Into the Industry 

N'Kenge, Stephanie,

What does it really take to turn talent into a profession? This candid career conversation is designed for singers, actors, dancers, musicians, and multi-hyphenate creatives looking to understand how the business actually works.

Topics include:

• How to find auditions in theatre, music, television, film, and live entertainment

• Building your professional toolkit: headshots, demo reels, vocal recordings, resumes, websites

• Understanding agents, managers, casting, contracts, and representation

• What "getting discovered" actually looks like in today's industry

• Common mistakes emerging performers make (and how to avoid them)

Includes a 15-minute live Q&A with industry professionals. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Real conversation from people doing the work.

3:00 PM – 3:50 PM — Welcome / Private Guided Tour of The Players

Step inside one of New York's most iconic artistic landmarks. Begin your Showstopper experience with an exclusive guided tour of The Players, the legendary private club founded by famed Shakespearean actor Edwin Booth, brother of John Wilkes Booth.

Originally Booth's personal mansion, this extraordinary historic space was transformed into a gathering place for actors, artists, writers, and creative visionaries, and remains the only active cultural institution today in its original location.

Guests will explore:

• Historic performance and gathering spaces

• Rare theatrical memorabilia and artifacts

• Portraits and collections honoring entertainment legends

• The stunning architecture and design of this Gilded Age mansion

• Stories of the artists, performers, and change-makers who walked these halls

A rare behind-the-scenes look into one of New York's hidden theatrical treasures.

#4 Showstopper Opening Number Rehearsal 

(Finalist Only)

A private rehearsal session with N'Kenge and the event choreographer as finalists prepare the opening number for the evening competition. This exclusive movement and staging session will shape the performance that kicks off the Showstopper Finals.

EVENT TIMELINE

4:30 PM — Doors Open VIP check-in, seating, arrivals, networking

5:00 PM — ARE YOU THE NEXT SHOWSTOPPER?! LIVE FINALS Ten extraordinary finalists compete live for the ultimate prize: Ultimate International Performing Arts Summer Program – All Expenses Paid

Hosts: N'Kenge and H.H. Dr. Prince Mario Max Schaumburg-Lippe

Judge Panel: Saycon Sengbloh · Peter Avery · Michael James Scott · Stephanie Rosenberg

Why You Should Be in the Room

For students and emerging artists, this is the most affordable way to spend a full day inside The Players with the artists who can actually open doors. For educators, this is the kind of insider access that's almost impossible to arrange independently. For parents and supporters, this is where you watch ten young performers do the bravest thing of their year — and you decide whether to be there when one of them wins a trip that rewrites their future.

Event Details

Date: Friday, June 12, 2026

Registration opens: 11:30 AM

Programming runs: 12:00 PM – 6:30 PM

Venue: The Players — 16 Gramercy Park South, New York, NY

Dress: Smart casual for the day; finalists in performance attire.