From the Alliance to the National Stage: Meet Isaiah C. Phipps, Georgia’s Lone 2026 YoungArts Theatre Winner

At Alliance Theatre, we witness the spark of young artistry every day in our rehearsal halls and classrooms. But every so often, that spark catches a national wind.

This year, YoungArts saw a record-breaking 13,000 applicants across 10 disciplines. Out of that massive pool, only 32 winners were selected for the Theatre discipline nationwide—and only one of those winners hailed from the state of Georgia.

That winner is Isaiah C. Phipps, a dedicated member of the Alliance’s Teen Ensemble and an alumnus of the Palefsky Collision Project. We sat down with Isaiah to discuss his journey, the power of persistence, and how the Alliance helped shape his award-winning craft.

Persistence Pays Off

For Isaiah, the road to YoungArts wasn’t an overnight success. It was a lesson in tenacity.

“I have entered this competition twice before, and I didn’t win,” Isaiah shares. “My mission was to use this last opportunity to hopefully be awarded, and it worked. I am proud of myself for staying focused and determined.”

As he looks toward high school graduation and college acceptances, being named a winner connects him to a prestigious 40-year history of excellence. He joins an intergenerational network of icons like Viola Davis and Timothée Chalamet. For Isaiah, the most exciting part isn’t just the title—it’s the mentorship. “I am most excited to engage with the mentorship opportunities… learning from past and present YoungArts alumni.”

The “Alliance” Advantage

Isaiah is no stranger to our halls; he has been training with the Alliance since he was a young child. From summer camps to specialized workshops in voice and diction, he credits his “extensive training” for giving him the tools to compete on a national level.

However, it was the Palefsky Collision Project and the Teen Ensemble that helped him find his unique voice:

The 2024 Palefsky Collision Project allowed me to dig into my creativeness as I helped to write scripts and songs… The collaboration allowed me to keep an open mind. Currently in the Teen Ensemble, watching plays through the eyes of a teen critic has brought me a new vision on how I approached my monologue.

Finding Authenticity in the Bass-Baritone

While Isaiah has deep roots in Musical Theatre, his recent exploration into “Spoken Theatre”—including a turn as the Earl of Gloucester in King Lear—has expanded his horizons. This shift toward authenticity was the key to his YoungArts breakthrough.

When asked what advice he would give to other Georgia artists eyeing competitive programs, Isaiah emphasizes the importance of playing to your true strengths rather than trying to fit a mold.

“The past two years I tried to perform more tenor-type songs because I thought my bass-baritone voice wouldn’t get me far,” he admits. “But this year, when I sang songs using it, I was recognized. Understand what your greatest artistic strength is and put your energy predominantly in that.”

What’s Next?

As Isaiah prepares to graduate, he is looking toward a future that includes more plays and potentially a transition to on-camera acting. Whatever stage he steps onto next, he carries with him the pride of Georgia and the foundational spirit of the Alliance Theatre.

Congratulations, Isaiah! We can’t wait to see what you do next.