Shawna was recently named the winner of The New York Musical Theatre Festival's Next Broadway Sensation. After being narrowed down from hundreds of hopeful singers to the Top 10 competitors, Shawna participated in 3 weeks of competition. Each week was a different theme and presided over by celebrity judges from the world of Broadway who were on hand to give advise, praise, and critique of the performances. Week one was "My Favorite Things" in which the Top Ten chose a song they love to sing. Shawna decided on "In His Eyes" from the musical Jekyll & Hyde. The judges were Tony Nominee- Cecilia Keenan-Bolger, Broadway funny man - Barrett Foa & Lead Casting director of the festival - Michael Cassara. The finalists were narrowed down to the Top 7 contestants via audience texting in their votes.

Week two's theme was New Works and feature all new songs written by up and coming stars in the musical theater world. It was hosted by Robin de Jesus if In The Heights fame and featured guest judges Donna Lynne Champlin, Spamalot's Merle Dandridge, and Broadway Music Director -Tom Kitt. The Top 7 were narrowed down at last to the Top 3 Finalists again by audience members texting in their votes.

The Grand Finale was held at the Zipper Theater and was webcast live on the competition's sponsor Theatermania.com who each week featured video highlights of the competition and its contestants. The final 3 were Shawna M. Hamic, Mike Harrison, & Omar Lopez-Cepero. The finale was hosted by Legally Blonde's Kate Shindle and guest judges were actors Colin Hanlon and Enrico Rodriguez, casting director Michael Cassara, and the Executive Director & Producer of NYMF -Isaac Robert Hurwitz. Each contestant sang two songs. Shawna started off the evening with "How Could I Ever Know" from The Secret Garden. Next was Mike Harrison and then Omar Lopez-Cepero. Last year's winner George Psomas sang in between rounds. Round two was in reverse order. Omar was up first, then Mike, then Shawna ended the evening with "Down With Love" a great old jazz tune made famous by Judy Garland, Barbara Streisand & most recently Audra MacDonald. After a short break in which the votes were once again cast by audience texting, Shawna M. Hamic was named the winner of NYMF's Next Broadway Sensation. She has won a fully produced one woman cabaret show to be performed in the FALL of 2009. Shawna wants to thank all those who voted so late each evening all across the country and for any who took the time to come out in person to support her. It was an amazing experience and she is thrilled about the upcoming cabaret.