NEWS BULLETIN
PRESENTED BY PRINCESS CRUISES
ANNOUNCES JULY 7 AND JULY 8 AUDITIONS FOR the Event's 12TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR
Executive Producer Michael Sterling and Co-Executive Producer Barbara Van Orden and Co-Producer Peter Welkin have announced that auditions for LA's Next Great Stage Star® 2018 Presented by Princess Cruises will take place Saturday, July 7 and
Sunday, July 8, 2018 in North Hollywood, CA. The critically acclaimed competition will be presented July 23rd through August 27th at the historic El Portal Theatre located in North Hollywood, thus marking the event’s12th consecutive anniversary year.
“For the first time ever, the 2018 edition of LA’s Next Great Stage Star® Presented by Princess Cruises will not only emphasize excellence in voice, but dance and acting as well, said Sterling. “This year is the year of the triple threat performer,” said Sterling. “In the past, the competition featured only vocals... but as we grew, we knew it would be just a matter of time before going to the next level by adding the elements of dance and acting to better ready the contestants for the full experience of what Broadway and Broadway caliber regional musical theatre most often demands... and we’re doing just that!” “The competition’s annual search of 10 men and 10 women between 18 and 32 years of age is highly anticipated by the hierarchy of those associated with the business of presenting Broadway musical theatre in Los Angeles, throughout Southern California and elsewhere,” added Ms. Van Orden.
To date, 22 of the competition’s overall 228 contestants have already made their Broadway and/or Off-Broadway debuts; while fifty percent of the remaining overall contestants have received theatrical agency representation and gone on to join U.S. National Broadway Tours in starring, featured and ensemble roles; as well as appearing in regional theatres throughout southern California and across the country, including major Las Vegas hotels which house long- running Broadway musical productions. Local, national and international theme parks also serve as a haven for employing Stage Star contestants; as do cruise line production shows which travel the globe; and television commercials and guest appearances on television and in film.
Audition Details: All potential contestants must excel in voice, acting and dance. Please be prepared to sing 16 bars of a song from any genre of Broadway musicals that best showcase your voice. An accompanist will be provided. Also be prepared to recite a 1:30 minute monologue from a Broadway musical. Please wear form fitting, but comfortable attire to the required dance call which will take place between 6:00 and 7:00 pm on both days of auditions. Popular regional singer, dancer, actor and musical theatre star Jeffrey Scott Parsons serves as Choreographer and will conduct the dance auditions. The combination will be performed in character shoes and will include many styles of musical theatre dance... including jazz, ballet and tap. Please note that auditions are by advance appointment only and that you must be available for the dance call if called back. Please call (818) 754-5777 to request an appointment.
Auditions will be held at Madilyn Clark Studios located at 10852 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601. Street Parking only. Please plan on arriving at least 15 minutes prior to your call time. This year's competition will be presented each week on Monday evenings for six consecutive weeks (July 23, and 30, August 6, 13, 20 and 27) on the Debbie Reynolds Main Stage of the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood. An entry fee of $650 for all “selected contestants” is required. All contestants will compete at each competition with no eliminations until the August 27th Grand Finale. Following the Finale’s competitive performances, the top two finalists will be determined based on cumulative scores from the judges only.
LA's Next Great Stage Star 2018® will be presented in front of a live voting audience (audience voting weeks 1 – 5 only); and five different four-member judging panels composed of southern California musical theatre professional Executive Producers, Producers, Artistic Directors, Theatre Directors, Casting Directors, and Equity franchised Theatre Agents during weeks 1 thru 5; with the August 27 Finale featuring over two dozen returning and additional first-time special guest judges. The 2018 first place winner will receive a cash prize of $2500 and professional Equity Agency representation. The first runner-up will receive a cash prize of $1250 and Equity franchised Agency representation. Both top finalists will also receive a paid headlining concert engagement at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District. Sterling’s Upstairs has not only been recognized as “LA’s cabaret destination” by the Los Angeles Times, but one of the top such cabaret venues in LA as declared by the Los Angeles Daily News and the LA Weekly Newspaper.
For her 7th year - former cover and print model, actress, singer, fashion designer, author and arts philanthropist Barbara Van Orden continues to provide invaluable financial assistance for production of the competition. “Barbara is part of a rare breed of philanthropists whose passion for live performance and commitment to young hopefuls who dream about having a professional career in the arts, is a trait not often found in Los Angeles,” said Co-Producer Peter Welkin who joins the production team for his 6th year.
“I concur with Peter,” Sterling added. “We are deeply humbled by Barbara’s humility and humanity.” He went on to say “We are equally grateful for our presenting sponsorship so generously provided by Princess Cruises... a perfect match since Princess is Los Angeles based and has a vested interest in the community and presenting the best of entertainment in their own luxury state-of-the-art theatres onboard world-class sailing vessels. They have supported us every step of the way since 2016.”
About Princess Cruises: For meaningful travelers who seek enriching experiences, only Princess Cruises offers cruise vacations to help you come back new, providing fresh perspectives by connecting you with nature, cultures and loved ones in a new way. One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises first set sail in 1965 with a single ship cruising to Mexico. Today, the line has grown to become the third largest cruise line in the world, renowned for innovative ships, an array of onboard options, and an environment of exceptional customer service. A recognized leader in worldwide cruising, Princess carries approximately 1.7 million guests each year to more than 360 destinations worldwide, aboard a fleet of 17 modern vessels. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK).
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