The stage lights shone once again at Sterling College as 150 students and teachers from 15 high schools across Kansas gathered for the second annual Sterling College Musical Theatre Day. Expanding on last year’s inaugural singing contest, the event now includes a full day of activities featuring a solo competition, interactive workshops, and a student Q&A. The day closed with a special matinee performance of the classic musical “She Loves Me.”

Twenty students competed in this year’s Musical Theatre Solo Contest, performing selections from across the Broadway repertoire. First place went to Jocelyn Clemensen of Pittsburg, who delivered “No One Else” from “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1918.” Second place was awarded to Landon Clemensen of Frontenac High School for “Stranger” from “Big Fish,” while third place went to Aylin Renteria of Lyons High School, who performed “Lifeboat” from “Heathers.”

The contest was judged by Sterling College arts faculty members Marisa Callan, Lesa Brown, and Sean Foster. Students performed their selections for the panel and then received individualized coaching, allowing judges to assess how effectively each singer adapted to direction. Fourteen of the soloists earned Division I ratings, with the remaining six receiving strong Division II ratings.

“This was our second year for this contest, and the student soloists were uniformly strong with several being excellent,” said Dennis Dutton, Sterling College arts director. “It’s exciting to see the quality of work being done with these musical theatre students.”

Beyond the competition, all participants took part in workshop sessions focused on choreography, audition techniques, and set design. A video showcase also featured large-group musical numbers from six participating high schools, giving students an opportunity to celebrate each other’s work and exchange ideas.

The day concluded with a matinee performance by Sterling College Musical Theatre. High school students filled Culbertson Auditorium, bringing enthusiastic energy to the performance.

“There is nothing like a high school theatre audience for a show,” Dutton said. “They absolutely get every nuance and detail and are often ahead of the plot at putting two and two together. That was apparent with She Loves Me, which involves two shop clerks who outwardly seem to despise each other, but who are in fact writing anonymous letters to one another—and end up in love.”

Sterling College Theatre is dedicated to entertaining, educating, and enriching the community through high-quality theatrical productions. Rooted in a Christ-centered liberal arts tradition, the program fosters creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration in an environment that inspires artistic and personal growth.

Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year college located in Sterling, Kansas, with a mission to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith. For more information, visit www.sterling.edu.