Lotte Lenya Competition

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Lotte Lenya Competition

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A theater singing competition that emphasizes wide-ranging repertoire and the acting of songs and arias within a dramatic context.

Top prizes of $20,000, $15,000 and $10,000. Sponsored by the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music. In 1998, to honor the centenary of the birth of Lotte Lenya (1898-1981), an extraordinary singer/actress and one of the foremost interpreters of the music of her husband, Kurt Weill (1900-1950), the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music established an annual Lotte Lenya Competition. The Lotte Lenya Competition is a theater singing contest that emphasizes wide-ranging repertoire and the acting of songs and arias within a dramatic context. The competition recognizes talented young singer/actors, aged 19-30, who are dramatically and musically convincing in repertoire ranging from opera/operetta to contemporary Broadway scores, with a focus on the works of Kurt Weill.

10/13/2026

Seven wonderful Lenya Competition alumni can currently be seen in the immersive Broadway spin-off experience of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Masquerade! Each of these artists performed on the stage of the Lenya Competition in years past:

⭐️ Kyle Scatliffe (also a two-time LLC judge!)

⭐️ Francesca Mehrotra

⭐️ Cooper Grodin

⭐️ Nkrumah Gatling

⭐️ Claire Leyden Haber

⭐️ Audrey Logan

⭐️ Annie Sherman

We love to see Lenya alumni shine! 🎶💪🏼

Have you submitted your application for the 2027 Lenya Competition yet? Head to the link in our bio to submit now! Applications are due February 8th.

Pictured:

1. Francesca Mehrotra as Christine and Hugh Panaro as the Phantom

2. Kyle Scatliffe as the Phantom and Eryn LeCroy as Christine

Photos by OSCAR OUK

09/14/2026

You’re up! ✨📣 Applications for the 2027 Lotte Lenya Competition are now live! Now in its 29th year, the Lenya Competition welcomes singing actors, acting singers, and musical storytellers from around the world who can “do it all” across the spectrum of lyric theater.

More than $100,000 in prizes will be awarded over the course of the 2027 contest, including the top prize of $25,000.

Applications are due February 8, 2027. Apply now and read information on eligibility, repertoire, dates, contestant resources, and more at the link in our bio. ⬆️

08/31/2026

2022 Lenya Competition Prizewinner Jeremy Weiss Jeremy Weiss performs “It All Fades Away” from THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY by Jason Robert Brown. 🎶

This summer, Jeremy performed in Gregory Spears’ FELLOW TRAVELERS with San Diego Opera and appeared in concert with Seven Hills Chamber Music! ✨

08/25/2026

We are delighted to announce that 2015 Lenya Competition prizewinner Lauren Michelle LAUREN MICHELLE soprano has been named a 2026 Kurt Weill/Lotte Lenya Artist by the The Kurt Weill Foundation!
🎉✨⭐️

Lauren is also set to perform the role of Jenny in Kurt Weill’s AUFSTIEG UND FALL DER STADT MAHAGONNY with Gewandhausorchester this fall, in a set of concerts led by Weill champion HK Gruber! The performances will also be recorded for commercial (audio) release.

Beginning in 2014, the Kurt Weill Foundation has regularly supported “Kurt Weill/Lotte Lenya Artists,” who have earned distinction in the Lotte Lenya Competition in a number of Young Artist Program and professional settings, including the Glimmerglass Festival, College Light Opera Company, Santa Fe Opera, the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, and Opera North (UK).

The Foundation supports Lenya Competition alumni at both the Artist level, a designation reserved for principal roles in professional productions, and the Young Artist level within an appropriate program.

Congratulations Lauren! 🥳

08/19/2026

2021 Lenya Competition prizewinner Victoria Okafor performs “Still Hurting” from THE LAST FIVE YEARS by Jason Robert Brown. 🎶

She can be seen this week making her debut as Anna I in Summermusik (Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra)’s “SIN”CINNATI, a semi-staged performance of Weill’s ballet-chanté THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS! ✨

In 2025, Victoria made her NYC debut with MasterVoices as Alesha in their semi-staged version of BLIND INJUSTICE by Richards/Cote at Lincoln Center, and played the role of Kate Mullins in The Marriott Theater’s production of TITANIC by Maury Yeston. She was also named a 2025 Kurt Weill/Lotte Lenya Artist by the The Kurt Weill Foundation.

07/21/2026

“Erst trifft dich die Kugel “ from Weill’s DER SILBERSEE, performed here by 2024 Lenya Competition Prizewinner . ✨🎶

Christian is wrapping up a busy two years starring as Enjolras in the world tour of and most recently performed in June at the as part of the LES MISERABLES International Arena Spectacular final leg.

Congratulations to Christian! 🎉⭐️

07/16/2026

2022 Lenya Competition prizewinner Katrina Galka performs “Surabaya Johnny” from Weill’s HAPPY END — a musical having a moment in the spotlight later this month in a spectacular regional tour with The Glimmerglass Festival, Finger Lakes Opera, Opera Saratoga, and Seagle Festival ✨✨✨

Katrina has been in the spotlight herself this summer, performing the role of Clara in THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis opposite Kate Baldwin and Paolo Szot — and conducted by LLC judge Rob Berman. Congratulations, Katrina!

06/23/2026

We’re all a little dreamy-eyed watching 2022 Lenya Competition alum Amanda J Sheriff perform “Mister Snow” from CAROUSEL! 🎶🎵

Amanda recently wrapped up her second year as a Studio Artist with The Atlanta Opera, made her musical theater debut as Sarah in RAGTIME with Opera Montana and sang the role of Yniold in Opera Baltimore’s PELLÉAS ET MÉLISANDE. ✨⭐️🎉

This summer, Amanda can be seen covering the role of Catherine in SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER with Bard Summerscape Fisher Center at Bard and performing Mozart’s REQUIEM with Greenville Symphony Orchestra!

06/10/2026

Matthew Dexter gives a spectacular performance of “Ol’ Man River” from SHOW BOAT by Kern/Hammerstein on the stage of the 2026 Lenya Competition Finals. Matthew is the recipient of the Award for Extraordinary Promise.

At the Finals, he also presented “I’ll Be Here” from THE WILD PARTY, “Lieben, Hassen, Hoffen, Zagen” from ARIADNE AUF NAXOS, and “O Tixo, Tixo, Help Me!” from LOST IN THE STARS.

Catch Matthew’s full performance on the ’s YouTube channel, linked in our bio!

06/09/2026

“Confession Aria” from DEAD MAN WALKING by Heggie/McNally is chillingly performed here by 2026 Lenya Competition award winner Erik Grendahl. Erik took home the Teresa Stratas Award for Outstanding Performance of an Opera Aria and the Audience Choice Award for his performance of “Me” from BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.

Erik’s finals set also included:

🎵 “She Likes Basketball” from PROMISES, PROMISES

🎵 “A Rhyme for Angela” from THE FIREBRAND OF FLORENCE

🎵 “How Glory Goes” from FLOYD COLLINS

Watch Erik’s performance at the link in our bio, or on the Kurt Weill Foundation’s YouTube channel!

Address

7 E 20th Street
New York, NY
10003

Telephone

+12125055240

Website

http://www.kwf.org/LLC

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