On October 3, Broadway star Sutton Foster took the Cobb Great Hall stage and brought 46 high school and university students on stage for a once-in-a-lifetime performance opportunity. This was the result of a highly competitive audition process and a unique opportunity for the talented students we serve. 

Students from schools that participated in the 2026 Sutton Foster Awards were automatically eligible to audition for the concert. Additionally, our Education team reached out to schools participating in the 2027 Sutton Foster Awards, allowing each school to nominate up to four students for the audition. 

"We received 109 total auditions," says Ben English, Wharton Center's Education & Community Engagement Coordinator. "All of the tap auditions were sent to Eric Sciotto, Sutton Foster's choreographer, to be evaluated and selected. While our education team watched all the vocal auditions to select the strongest candidates." 

Following the competitive audition process, 13 tap dancers (11 high school and two Michigan State University dancers) and 33 vocalists (31 high school and two Michigan State University vocalists) were selected to rehearse and perform with Sutton Foster. 

"The students have been extremely excited!" says English. "There's been a lot of social media buzz, and I've heard from students who cried and celebrated with friends at school when they got their email stating they were in. It's also been a lot of hard work. They came in very prepared, and the rehearsals have been productive and exciting."  

Rehearsals began two weeks before the performance, and the students jumped right into the numbers:  

• “On My Way” from the musical Violet, featuring the full student choir 

• “Anything Goes” from the musical Anything Goes, featuring the full choir and tap ensemble 

• The student choir wrapped up with an a cappella version of “Every Time We Say Goodbye” 

“This has been completely surreal,” says Amanda Meyerhoff from Chippewa Valley High School.  “I have been dancing since I was a little kid. I never thought I would be able to do something like this...Sutton has been such an inspiration of mine, especially as a musical theatre nerd. I geek over everything she does.” 

“I am really excited because during my freshman year, my school dance program did a tap dance to ‘Anything Goes’ so this is like the leveled up full circle moment,’ says Isla Rodriguez from Livonia Churchill High School. 

Performance day arrived on Saturday, October 3, and the students’ appearance was kept a surprise for patrons. Sutton didn’t announce the students at the start of the show. The moment their surprise appearance drew closer, you could feel her excitement building onstage. When the students filed onto the stage, the audience went wild. 

Sutton offered the students inspiring advice, joked around with them, and hyped them up...all while performing for a full audience. 

“The most memorable part of the experience was when we first came out onstage to rehearse with Sutton. She was so excited to see so many students that she got emotional onstage,” says Anastasia Breen, Michigan State University student. “I loved that she provided advice on forging our own paths in the industry.” 

After their numbers, the students and Sutton received a standing ovation. 

It was the perfect way to kick off our 2026–2027 season and an unforgettable experience for the students who had the opportunity to share the stage with one of Broadway’s brightest stars. 

“Theatre is really the place where I learned how to be myself and to be brave,” says Mace Betts, Michigan State University student. “This opportunity really felt like the moment where I got to prove to myself that I can do really scary, and very cool, things and that I am enough to be on a stage with Sutton Foster!” 

"We are so excited for this opportunity, as it continues to uplift the Sutton Foster Awards program," says English. "This opportunity for the students is a direct result of their participation in the program. We have such a wealth of talent in Michigan, and I am honored to continue to work with our students and connect them with professionals from across the country."  

Our goal at Wharton Center is to facilitate a stronger community through the arts and human connection. It is through efforts like these, where talented Michigan students get the opportunities of a lifetime; that truly strengthens that vision.  

For the 2027 Sutton Foster Awards, we have a record number of schools participating, with 90 schools registered.  Learn more about registering and our exciting May 21-23, 2027 showcase weekend.