Biochemistry major by day, musician by night.
Madeline Sclichter, 21, of Indiana Township couldn’t imagine having to choose between her passions.
A child actor in the Pittsburgh musical theater scene, Sclichter pivoted after high school to chase an academic dream. She’ll graduate in December from Duquesne University and already is accepted into the university’s School of Osteopathic Medicine.
“The drive and motivation are still there for acting. I just didn’t think I needed a degree to pursue it professionally,” Sclichter said.
Turns out, her intuition may be right.
Sclichter was named a winner in the prestigious Write Out Loud Contest, a Broadway-based competition for aspiring songwriters and musical theater composers. It was founded in 2019 by Taylor Louderman, who originated the role of Regina George in the Broadway musical “Mean Girls,” and Benjamin Rauhala, a director and producer on the Great White Way. The contest is judged by a panel of Broadway actors.
More than 400 songs were submitted.
“I’ve never taken a songwriting course,” said Sclichter, a graduate of Oakland Catholic High School. “I literally just write music in my bedroom because I love it.
“Getting to be in the room with industry professionals who I admire, it’s just surreal.”
Her winning entry, “Queen Bee,” will be recorded by professionals in a New York City recording studio and released on all major streaming platforms this year.
The song also will be featured in concert at a Manhattan cabaret, 54 Below, hosted by Louderman.
The other winners were “Round and Round Again” by Harrison Lewis and Emielyn Das and “Heights Unknown” by Janine Robledo and David Mallamud.
A self-described indie-pop songwriter, Sclichter said her style has been influenced by Alanis Morissette, Vanessa Carlton and Sara Bareilles, who composed and starred in her own musical and also has acted in multiple projects onscreen.
“(Bareilles) proves that the sky is the limit,” Sclichter said. “I hope to follow in her footsteps and establish my talents across multiple disciplines in the industry.”
Sclichter said her passion for acting began in elementary school after her parents took her to see “Mary Poppins.”
Soon after, she landed a role in the same production through the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera and has acted continually on stage and screen. In 2024, she starred in the feature film “The Haunting of Prince Dom Pedro,” filmed partially in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties. She also has been featured in multiple student films at Point Park University and the University of Pittsburgh.
This fall, Sclichter will act in her second movie, “Death Can Be a Funny Business,” set for filming in Pittsburgh.
She also plans to release “Queen Bee” independently, along with another single, “Falling for the 412,” on Aug. 5. They will be available on Spotify, Apple music and other platforms, as well as on her social media @maddiejosings.
“I’ve always been the biggest theater nerd, so having my song produced in this manner is a dream,” she said.
“To be included in this caliber is just insane. It’s a very full-circle moment.”