By Lauren Dorsey, Staff Writer
On Friday, Quechee’s Macy Bettwieser advanced to the final round of Next on Stage, a national competition for high school students designed to put a spotlight on the next generation of Broadway hopefuls. “It was so crazy to find out I made it,” Bettwieser, a senior at Hartford High School, told the Standard. “We had a bunch of friends over, and they all just, like, started screaming. I was kind of in shock for a minute, but it’s really exciting.”
Macy Bettwieser will be flying to New York to compete in a live performance at 54 Below for the final round of Next on Stage. Courtesy of Andrea Nardone
For the last phase of the competition, Bettwieser is one of three finalists, who will be flown out to New York City, where she will perform a song live at the cabaret 54 Below. The winner of the competition will receive a scholarship to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, a four-year conservatory for the performing arts with campuses in New York City and Los Angeles; as well as vocal lessons with Broadway legends; a cash donation to a charity of her choice; and cash prizes and merchandise.
Bettwieser says she originally submitted to the Next on Stage competition on a bit of a whim. “I was part of the Northern Stage’s college prep program, YES Next Stage, and one of my coaches sent all of us an email about this competition,” said Bettwieser. The Northern Stage’s program left her with several videos that would work for Next on Stage’s first round, so Bettwieser decided to enter. “Then, I completely forgot about it until about two months later, when I got an email [and] figured out I had gotten into the top 15,” said Bettwieser.
The next few rounds of the competition were evaluated by online voting, which meant that to succeed, Bettwieser needed to spread the word about her involvement. “I have been so impressed with the community of Hartford; If it had just been this introverted mom and daughter together, we would not have even gotten her name out there,” said Anisha Bettwieser, Macy’s mother. “But this [community] has gone out of their way to make this what it is and help her succeed. I’m blown away at how much people in this area want to see a Vermonter win and want to help Macy make it to the end.”
One of Macy Bettwieser’s earliest and largest advocates has been Andrea Nardone, her choir teacher at Hartford High School. “I first heard of Macy, who I think was in fourth or fifth grade at the time, as this powerhouse singer,” said Nardone. “When I saw her a couple years later in the local musicals, I was like oh goodness, this girl is wildly talented.”
Bettwieser, who is currently finishing her senior year, has had a lot of years to practice: she’s been singing practically since she could talk. “Everyone knows Macy’s always singing, and that’s been true her whole life,” said Anisha Bettwieser. “She’s always had a beautiful voice, but she was also fortunate to have a voice teacher, Julie Ness, who could see the potential in her and who helped her train. I have just been amazed at the progress that Julie’s made with her.”
Musical theater, however, requires more than the ability to sing. Luckily, Bettwieser also demonstrated an early aptitude for dance and performance. “She has always been my emotionally connected child,” said Anisha Bettwieser. “She’s had big emotions, and when she was little, I was always hoping they would funnel into something productive. They really have.”
Macy Bettweiser as Niki in the 2023 production of “Curtains” at Hartford High School. Bettwieser advanced to the final round of Next On Stage, a national competition for high school students. Courtesy of Andrea Nardone
Macy Bettwieser first performed on stage in fourth grade, in a mandatory production of Shakespear’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. Shortly after, she auditioned for a musical. “Ever since, I’ve been hooked,” said Bettwieser.
By the time Bettwieser entered Hartford High School, she had developed into an incredible performer. “She’s gotten lead after lead, and I’ve just watched her blossom, becoming even more powerful in her singing, acting, and dancing each year,” said Nardone. “She just has this power in her voice, and she can seamlessly sing almost anything I put in front of her. She has the ability to learn a song and perform it perfectly almost instantly.”
Regardless of how the final round of Next on Stage turns out, Bettwieser knows one thing for certain: “I’m going to college for a BFA in Musical Theater. That’s been the plan for a long time.” She’s currently in the midst of her application process and plans to submit applications to a total of seventeen schools across the country.
In addition to honing her abilities on stage, Bettwieser has also been preparing for the practical side of a life spent pursuing the arts. She’s been attending cosmetology school for the past two years and will graduate with her license this spring. “When she told us she wanted to do cosmetology, we were like, you told us you want to do musical theater, so how is this going to play a role?” said Anisha Bettwieser. “Cosmetology is her survival job, which is what they call it in the business so that she can pay her bills and still try to throw her hat in the ring to make it in musical theater.”
Whatever the next few weeks may bring, the Next on Stage competition has given Bettwieser more than just a shot at first place — it has illuminated the strength of the community Bettwieser has behind her, wherever she goes next. “Macy’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime kids you get as a teacher,” said Nardone. “I’m so excited to see what the future holds for her.”
The Next on Stage’s live finale will be at New York City’s 54 Below on Jan. 19.