by Sam Maher, Brookelynn Mason, Olivia Lusk, Gianluca Russo, Brian Cudina, Tyler Conroy, and Tom Coppola.

YesBroadway's 40 Under 40: Broadway is chock full of NYC theater people who are poised to be names as big as Lin-Manuel Miranda and Ben Platt one day very soon. Get to know them now and be a Broadway star early adopter!

P/S Follow them all on Twitter here.

Featured

Nuri Hazzard

Ya'll, you just don't get more dope than Nuri Hazzard. His extremely impressive performance in last year's Syncing Ink (#2 Favorite Theater of 2017!) was simply spectacular and he's also making waves in the music world with several amazing hip hop EPs that you should definitely check out. Watch one his music videos here and just try not to fall in love. Nuri is exactly the kind of artist NYC theater and Broadway needs a LOT more of. -Sam

Photo: Siyaka Taylor-Lewis

Mirirai Sithole

Mirirai has two (!) recent Off-Broadway hits under her belt. She charmed our faces off in School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play and then stole the whole damn show by breaking our hearts in The Homecoming Queen. She's got ton of television credits on her resume (Broad City!) and is, quite simply, a bright shining future megastar. -Sam

Photo: Deborah Lopez

Cesar J. Rosado

Cesar was charming AF in last year's Dolphins & Sharks and then went on to star in Two River Theater's super fun-looking El Coqui Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom. He's constantly booking readings of new plays all over the country, so prepare to see him show you what's uppppp on a stage near you soon in the next great American play. -Sam

Photo: Chia Messina

Vasthy Mompoint

If badass ensemble members are what you love, look no further than SpongeBob SquarePants’ Vasthy Mompoint. SpongeBob was YesBroadway's #1 favorite theater of 2017, so it’s no surprise that (more than one) cast member made it onto this list. SpongeBob is Vasthy's SEVENTH Broadway show, which is just...wildly impressive! Besides rocking it on stage 8 times a week, Vasthy also co-owns a company called Broadway Babysitters, which provides babysitting for families in the New York City area. Vasthy does it all, and we couldn’t be more excited about her. -Olivia

Photo: Emma Mead/The EMMA Experience

Jai'Len Christine Li Josey

FUTURE MEGASTAR ALERT! Jai’len Christine Li Josey is going to win alllllllll the Tony awards some day, just wait. At just 19 years old (Yes, you read that right. She’s only 19!), she is the recipient of the 2014 Jimmy Award for Best Performance of An Actress and has already made her debut in the Great White Way in SpongeBob SquarePants. Let me tell you: you need to listen to this girl sing. Watch this video at the 1:05 mark and your life will be forever changed. Needless to say, we are all completely in love with Jai’Len over here at YesBroadway. -Olivia

George Salazar

George is the heartthrob of Off-Broadway! After receiving his musical theatre degree in Florida, he came out of the gate swinging, joining the touring cast of Spring Awakening in 2010 and went on to star in the Broadway revival of Godspell in 2011. George Salazar's fan base is UNREAL, and we're not surprised. After all, what's not to love about Michael Mell (Be More Chill) and Grover (The Lightning Thief)? He opens his mouth and all you hear is a domino effect of thuds as fans hit the ground fainting one after another. This dude's got pipes that make our heart go tick...tick...BOOM! . We scream YESBroadway to George Salazar. Until then, DO NOT MISS his upcoming concert series with Be More Chill composer Joe Iconis at Feinstein's/54 Below! -Brookelynn

Photo: Kai Ravelson

Brynn Williams

Brynn Williams, who starred in Freedom Riders: the Civil Rights Musical, our #8 show for Top Ten Favorite Theater of 2017 is K I L L I N G right now on Broadway. Where? Oh, just a little show called SpongeBob SquarePants (our #1 of 2017)! She DESTROYS the audience with her pipes when stepping into the role of Pearl at some performances. If you've had the fortune of seeing her steal the stage with her soulful, lamenting Pearl, consider yourself #blessed. It's no surprise she's a knockout--after all, she is the youngest person in history to have worn Broadway's historical Gypsy Robe. -Brookelynn

Photo: BlueFairy Photography

Joshua Henry

Joshua Henry is a Tony nominee for his roles in both Violet and The Scottsboro Boys. He's been in all three of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Broadway musicals (In the Heights, Bring it On, and Hamilton). In fact, his "HamilJams" were extremely popular on Instagram during his run as Aaron Burr in the Chicago production of Hamilton, which was him covering songs from the musical in different and unique ways. He's also many people's favorite Jamie from The Last Five Years after doing a concert version with Cynthia Erivo in 2016. As if that didn't already clue you in as to why we are so. effing. OBSESSED...here's a little more: he's returning to Broadway this Spring, starring in Carousel opposite Jessie Mueller. Just try to contain your excitement! -Brookelynn

Photo: Gary Gershoff / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Images

Gillian Pensavalle

How many people can say that Lin-Manuel Miranda himself wrote them a custom rap cover? None other than,"Good golly Miss Molly, Gillian Pensavalle!" What started out as a project used to talk to her friends about Hamilton has spiraled in a global community of fans rallying behind The Hamilcast, the official unofficial podcast for the show. The podcast features the stars, creative team, and pretty much anyone involved with the global phenomenon that is Hamilton. Two years and over 100 episodes in, Gillian is changing the theater podcast game. Not sure where to start? Look no further than #Lintoberfest, the 5-episode interview with Lin which features three interview episodes and two B-sides, where Gillian and husband Mike (you know Mike) discuss inside jokes, provide commentary, and talk about what it was like being in the room where the podcast happens with the man himself. -Brookelynn

Photo: Carla Ten Eyck

Ariana DeBose

You know Ariana DeBose as the original Bullet from Hamilton, so PHENOMENAL dancer? Check! But, she's really more of a leading lady! She's brought theaters all over the country to their knees through regional productions and in the national tour of Bring it On, before coming back to Broadway and stealing the show in Pippin (for which she would eventually take over the role of Leading Player, nbd!). Then came Hamilton and then A Bronx Tale. Did she stop? NO! Broadway will see Ariana DeBose again this season in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, reprising her role as Disco Donna from the show's La Jolla Playhouse run. YAAAS! -Brookelynn

Photo: Lindsey Lou Creations

Alex Newell

If you’ve ever heard Alex Newell sing, you will not be shocked why he ended up on this list. Seasoned theatre nerds may recognize him from Glee as Unique Adams. Alex is now starring as Asaka in Once On This Island, and THIS BOY CAN BELT. Listening to his voice is an ethereal experience, not to mention he’s never even had formal vocal lessons(!!!). He’s also our ultimate #dreamcasting for Effie for the upcoming revival of Dreamgirls. The world NEEDS Alex singing "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" 8 times a week on Broadway! - Olivia

Isaac Cole Powell

An insanely talented Broadway newcomer who is also a ridiculously wonderful human? You’ve probably already guessed, but the person I’m describing is none other than Isaac Cole Powell! Isaac recently graduated from University of North Carolina School of the Arts and is making his Broadway debut as Daniel in Once On This Island. Get ready to be obsessed with his voice. It's so freakin' good! Not to mention, his boyfriend is Wesley Taylor (Plankton in SpongeBob SquarePants). Ultimate #couplegoals! Yes, yes, and more yes to Issac Cole Powell. -Olivia

Krystina Alabado

Since making her Broadway debut in American Idiot in 2010, Krystina Alabado has slayed every role she has touched. Even in the Lazarus and American Psycho ensembles, she stood out with her voice and stage presence. She’s going to be a #MEGASTAR one day soon, so you better keep your eye on her now. Her other theatre credits include Burn All Night, the original cast of Miss You Like Hell, and she most certainly knocked it out of the park in The Mad Ones. Krystina is also married to Tuck Everlasting star Bob Lenzi. Talk about a Broadway power couple! -Olivia

Jelani Alladin

Ladies and gentlemen, we are DEFINITELY including your Kristoff from Frozen on Broadway in our 40 Under 40. Jelani is blazing right onto the scene making his Broadway debut in one of the biggest musicals of the season and we're pummmmmped. He got rave reviews when the show had it's out-of-town tryout in Denver. He slays on Rob Rokicki's delicious Monstersongs cast recording. Get a lot more Jelani Alladin in your life! -Sam

Photo: Karen Santos

Shaina Taub

Seeing Shaina Taub perform feels like watching a comet about to hit Planet Earth. First of all, know that she's just as good at writing musicals as she is performing in them. There was a whollllle lot of buzz around her performance in Old Hats, then she wowed in the Off-Broadway production of Hadestown, but our favorites are her her musicals that are part of the Public Theater's Public Works Initiative in Central Park each summer. Her As You Like It (she also starred in it!) was in YesBroadway's Top 10 Favorite Theater of 2017 and her Twelfth Night is getting a full run this summer as one of the Shakespeare In The Park mainstage shows. She's also an activist, organizing events for the theatre industry for Everytown for Gun Safety and more. Check out her TED Talk at TEDxBroadway 2018 here (it's delicious!) and prepare for Shaina to be Lin-Manuel Miranda-level famous one day VERY soon. -Sam

Lileana Blain-Cruz

Lileana Blain-Cruz is a splendid director that is going to make a big splash as a Broadway director one day very soon. She's hitting up all the big Off-Broadway theater companies, with multiple successes in the past couple of years, including the superb Pipeline (by playwright Dominique Morrisseau), MTC's Actually, and NYTW's Red Speedo. Oh, and no big deal, she also won an Obie (Off-Broadway's Tony Awards) for the Signature Theatre's The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World. Impressive resume, huh? Coming up: Lileana is back at New York Theatre Workshop for The House That Will Not Stand this summer. -Sam and Gianluca

Jamie Brewer

Jamie Brewer is the breakout star of Roundabout Theatre Company's Amy & The Orphans (Off-Broadway), but you might recognize her from American Horror Story: Murder House. Jamie was also the first woman with Down Syndrome to walk the New York Fashion Week red carpet! What's next? She'll be starring in the upcoming Amazon comedy Love You More. Let's get her to Broadway soon! - Tom and Sam

Tedra Millan

Which Tedra are we talking here? Are we talking the Tedra who literally made her Broadway debut starring opposite Kevin Kline on Broadway in Present Laughter…or the Tedra who kicked ass and a soccer ball as #46 in The Wolves? One of the nicest athletes on Broadway, Tedra is someone you'll immediately root for once you’ve met her. She’s got the skills (and the accents!) to put #46 in our 40 Under 40. -Brian

Photo: Deborah Lopez

The Movement Theatre Company

Each one of the 4 lovely humans that run The Movement Theatre Company deserve their own entry, but let's talk about them as a company. David Mendizábal, Deadria Harrington, Eric Lockley, and Taylor Reynolds are on a mission to create "an artistic social movement by developing and producing new work by artists of color." That's an IDEAL VISION OF THE FUTURE OF AMERICAN THEATRE right there! Their And She Would Stand Like This last year put queer and trans actors of color front and center where they belong. Fun bonus? TMTC's shows attract a VERY attractive crowd of young and hip audience members. More soon, please! -Sam and Tom

Photo: Joe Chiang

Adrienne Warren

We're letting London's West End borrow Adrienne for a little bit, but only because we're hoping that her star-making turn there as Tina Turner (!) in TINA: The Musical will bring her back to NYC in a juicy leading role if (when?!?) the show transfers to Broadway. Buzz is growing FAST for her performance and it's no wonder considering she already has a Tony nomination for Shuffle Along in 2016 after stealing everyone's hearts in Bring It On on Broadway a few years before that. A career just doesn't get more exciting than Adrienne's is right now. We always "need another hero" and Adrienne is "simply the best" person for the job! -Sam

Photo: Tyler Gustin

NSangou Njikam

NSangou Njikam wrote AND starred, Lin-Manuel Miranda-style, in Syncing Ink...YesBroadway's #2 Favorite Theater of 2017! This dude has the potential to also be Hamilton-level famous, bringing hip-hop and theater together in a way that would make Jonathan Larson proud. He's stayed pretty under the radar so far, but it's time you get into NSangou and his work. It's groundbreakers like him that are most certainly what makes American theater the best in the world! -Sam

Photo: Joan Marcus

James Anthony Tyler

Playwrights just don't get more buzzy than this! James Anthony Tyler wrote the delicious Dolphins & Sharks last year at Labyrinth Theater Company and, more recently, Some Old Black Man at 59e59 starring Wendell Pierce aka Bunk from The Wire. This graduate of Howard University, NYU, and Juilliard (!) also just won the prestigious 2018 Horton Foote Playwriting Award. He's got a play coming up in May at the Keen Teens Festival of New Work and his new work Artney Jackson will be at the 2018 Williamstown Theatre Festival in you happen to be in the Berkshires this summer. Summer theater road trip to Massachusetts? -Sam

Photo: Gregory Costanzo

Jordan Tyson

There are a few moments in the new musical Folk Wandering that make it so clear that Jordan Tyson is destined to be a future megastar. She's impossibly charming in the show and yet also somehow pulling off a dark and nuanced performance...which is very hard to do! Still in college, she caused quite a stir as Sweetee herself in Off-Broadway's Sweetee last year alongside fellow 40 Under 40 star Jelani Aladdin. Oh, and that "infectious giggle" she mentions on her acting resume? It's real. Get ready to have a big crush on Jordan Tyson as you watch her continue to take NYC theater by storm! -Sam

Photo: Bryce Todd

Gizel Jimenez

Gizel Jimenez is the star of the upcoming Miss You Like Hell at the Public Theater...and not just anyone gets to make a big splash in NYC theater starring in a new musical opposite Daphne Rubin-Vega! This stunningly talented newcomer (check out her voice here) did a national tour of West Side Story and was in City Center Encores' Big River last year. Don't be surprised when Gizel wins her first Tony Award one day soon! -Sam

Photo: Kate Johnson

Featured

Hammaad Chaudry

It is super rare that a playwright's professional debut is Off-Broadway, but Hammaad Chaudry from Scotland has done it. His An Ordinary Muslim at New York Theater Workshop explores British Islamaphobia and was generally very well-received. This graduate of the Royal Court Theatre’s Young Writers Programme is now being mentored by Angels In America's Tony Kushner. Watch out for him: This mangenue might just be writing the next great classic play!

Photo: Jenny Anderson

Whitney White

Whitney caught our attention as the director of Freedom Riders: The Civil Rights Musical (which I have a crush on, click here) as part of the New York Musical Festival in 2017. She's just finishing up directing a production of Othello at Trinity Rep in Rhode Island, after assisting buzzy director Sam Gold with his smash production in 2016 at New York Theater Workshop. She's also worked as an Assistant Director on Broadway and other Off-Broadway shows as well, including being an Artistic Development Associate at Roundabout Theatre Company. It won't be long before Whitney is up on that stage at Radio City Music Hall accepting her Tony Award for Best Director, so be an early adopter and follow her now! -Sam

Photo: Lena Wunderlich

Natalie Walker

Natalie is a swing in Off-Broadway's Puffs and a full-on fixture of Broadway Twitter. Follow her there IMMEDIATELY: @nwalks. Her hilarious summaries of Broadway musicals are required reading for anyone who likes funny things. She's always creating new content for you to devour! There is zero chance that Natalie wont either be: A-stealing scenes in a Broadway show one day soon, or B-writing the funniest new play in NYC theater. Look out, Tina Fey! P/S Keep an eye on the duo show she's putting together in August at 54 Below with The Great Comet's Heath Saunders that (her words) "will be like The Sonny and Cher Show if both Sonny and Cher were Cher". -Sam and Gianluca

Photo: Emma Mead

Brandon Gill

Brandon stood out in two Off-Broadway shows this past year, so we can only expect that he'll be up for a Tony Award in a starring role in a Broadway show one day soon. He was already on Broadway in Holler If Ya Hear Me (the Tupac musical) and this Juilliard graduate stole just about every scene he was in in both Bella: An American Tall Tale and Too Heavy For Your Pocket. His acting is intense and delightful all at once, charming the audience while also breaking their hearts...not an easy feat to pull off! He's got lots of experience acting for television and movies, but mark my words: this dude is a future Broadway star. -Sam

Photo: Lelund Durond

Marky Irene

Marky Irene's performance in MCC's Charm last year broke our hearts and proved she is an actress to be reckoned with. She's a true inspiration in the theater community and someone who we all can't wait to see continue to shine on the stage and screen! Fun fact: her resumé lists "strong canoe/kayaking ability"! You can also support her Future Children Fund via GoFundMe. -Sam

Photo: Jimmey Leblanc

Sash Bischoff

Sash showed off her thrilling directing skills with the terrific Fuck Marry Kill last year year. Her resume is impressively long with multiple Off-Broadway directing credits and even several Assistant Director credits on Broadway with some big names (Christopher Ashley! Anne Kauffman!). She's also a magnet for grants and fellowships. I smell a Tony Award for Best Director for this Princeton grad in the very near future! -Sam

Photo: Tess Mayer

Brandon Looney

Sometimes all it takes is one performance to know that a performer is truly special. Brandon Looney sparkled as Schroeder in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown (YesBroadway's #3 Favorite Theater of 2017!). His silky smooth voice will make you #swoon! He's got a lot of theater credits, but NYC casting directors: let's get this guy on stage a LOT more soon, okay? Thanks! -Sam

Photo: Malloriee Hill

Jessie Shelton

Very few, if any, of the musical theater performers have a podcast performance credit. Jessie starred opposite Jonathan Groff in the inventive podcast musical 36 Questions. You’re definitely a force for change if you are changing the literal landscape. But when she’s not streaming, she’s partaking in the fun and dark worlds of Hadestown and Cruel Intentions. That’s what we call variety! Common thread: Jessie Shelton = Fresh and Exciting Theater. -Brian

Photo: Rivka Rivera

DeMarius Copes

DeMarius is a star on the rise, plain and simple. He's worked his way from selling papes in Disney's Newsies to two (!) solo shows in the past year at Feinstein's/54 Below, and now he's making his Broadway debut in Tina Fey's Mean Girls. Also, he's hysterical on social media and worth a big ol' follow on all platforms. His Instagram Lives, for example, are very (wait for it) fetch & not to be missed. Oh, and he's also a REALLY good red carpet co-host! -Tyler

Photo: Ted Ely

Ashley Park

We're pretty convinced that Ashley Park is a superhero...She's starred alongside Jake Gyllenhall in Sunday In the Park with George, danced & sang her face off in the immersive KPOP (#7 in YesBroadway's Top 10 Favorite Theater of 2017), and she's currently making "fetch" happen playing the iconic role of Gretchen Weiners in Mean Girls on Broadway. She's a UMICH alumn, she's Grammy-nominated, and if you aren't following her journey: you're wrong! -Tyler

Diana Oh

Diana is a badass performance artists that OOZES love. Her Hedwig-ish {my lingerie play} proved that she is a true visionary and an extraordinarily talented and hilarious artist. The best part? She is someone who makes you feel like they are your new best friend the moment you encounter them. She's not afraid to break down taboos and challenge wokeness on a level that will inspire us all to be more kind and loving as humans sharing this planet together. You should be SCREAMING Yes(Broadway) to Diana Oh. -Sam

Photo: Facebook/mylingerieplay

Max Crumm

He's the one that we want...in our 40 under 40. You may know Max Crumm from his Broadway debut in Grease after winning the lead role thanks to a FOX reality show or from Disaster or Hot Mess, but what you don't know is he told the Huffington Post how he wants to be a role model for young gay teens who see themselves as a "regular dude" (MY HEART!) Oh, and also that he wants to kiss a boy onstage in a show and his dream co-kissers are Ben Platt, Taylor Trensch, and Gavin Creel (...and, I mean, #same). -Tyler

Photo: Jeremy Daniel

Tristan J. Shuler

Talk about a QUADRUPLE threat—actor, writer, choreographer, AND director?! We can’t get enough of Tristan J. Shuler, who is currently slaaaaaaying in Cruel Intentions: the Musical. As if that didn’t already clue you in to this hunk’s star quality, he just helped close Spamilton, the musical parody retelling of Lin-Manuel Miranda writing a little show called Hamilton. He’s choreographed and directed shows in his home state of Pennysylvania, as well as his own off-Broadway play, An Epidemic Play. And he’s an animal lover, guys—he’s the proud parent of Gwyndolyn Stefani, a really cute cat with her own Instagram account. Cute Broadway stars and cute cats? Sold! -Brookelynn

Photo: Kyle Rudd Photography & Little Wolf Collective

Alison S. M. Kobayashi

Alison created the magnificent theatrical experience Say Something Bunny! The fact that it's a such a smash hit with extension after extension (after extension!) means she has probably been quite busy over the past year or so, but it also solidifies her as a creator of the kind of genre-defying theater that makes NYC, well....NYC. Expect major things from her as her video-heavy work around the theater of "found objects" is the kind that attracts the attention of the nominating committees for things like the MacArthur "Genius" Grant. For now, though, just do NOT miss Say Something Bunny! -Sam

Photo: Lanna Apisukh

Will Davis

Will's robust directing credits include much of NYC's primary theater companies (and Chicago's!). Will first caught our attention directing the exquisite Charm Off-Broadway at MCC last year, but the world was already noticing him: he was nominated for an 2017 Lortel Award for his direction of Men In Boats. Currently, he's directing Bobbie Clearly at Roundabout and has a show coming up at Manhattan Theatre Club as well. Talk about a buzzy director to look out for! -Sam

Photo: Missy Davis

Nabiyah Be

Not only is Nabiyah Be making a name for herself in the theatre community, but she is also making herself known in Hollywood. Recently spotted in a little movie you might have heard of called Black Panther (!!!!!!!!), Nabiyah is a force to be reckoned with. She originated the role of Eurydice in Hadestown and recently turned heads in School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play. She’s amazing and, quite frankly, slaying every role she comes near. Oh, and she's also a singer-songwriter with new music coming out this Spring. Get into Nabiyah Be! -Olivia

Photo: Dar's Good Light Works

The YesBroadway 40 Under 40