MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Two high school musical theater stars have the skills to fill these seats. After winning big at the Orpheum's High School Musical Theater Awards, they were off to nationals in New York City. And they made the Mid-South proud.

Breyannah Tillman was an incredible force on Ridgeway High School's stage. But if there was any doubt in your mind, now she has Broadway's backing.

"I just thought of being in Ridgeway's auditorium, Broadway stage, more overwhelming,” said Tillman.

While in New York for the third "National High School Musical Theater Awards" Tillman performed on "The Lion King's" stage. After several classes and rehearsals, she took on "Aida" again, but this time in front of national judges.

"Aida means the world to me at this moment because she's gotten me so far. I can relate to her a lot,” said Tillman. "She was told she would never see her dad. My father passed away two years ago and could pretty much draw from that."

Tillman's emotional performance pushed her to one of the top three high school actresses in the country.

Paul Powers, a student from Briarcrest, has some chops too. He traveled to New York City with Tillman to represent the Mid-South on Broadway.

Powers is one of the country's top 50 most talented high school musical theater performers.
He was judged by someone with a Memphis connection.

"Martina Glover was one of our judges and she was fantastic,” said Powers. “She is one of the most talented actresses I've seen live on stage."

The Orpheum's Pat Halloran said these kids have what it takes for the big stage.

"You have to have the exceptional voice and personality,” said Halloran. “You put those two together and you got 80-percent of it."

The other 20-percent is probably just having "it." And with college in their futures, amazing talent in their back pockets, and a star's presence on stage, there's no denying Tillman and Powers have a lot going on.

The Broadway experience doesn't end here. The Orpheum still has a few spots left for high school students to experience Camp Broadway.