It’s time once again for “The Vocalist” competition at The Media Theatre. The region’s premier vocal contest kicks off with annual auditions May 18 & 19. The Vocalist and Vocalist Junior claim titles that are representative of the professional music theatre company’s mission of professional music theatre.
Previously titled “Delco Idol” and renamed “The Vocalist” in 2013, the summer event sets the tone for The Media Theatre’s focus on musicals and music theatre education. It is produced by Media Music Theatre Company, the professional non-profit music theatre organization which has a full season each year with its Broadway Series and youth programming.
Auditions for “The Vocalist” will be held Monday and Tuesday May 18 and May 19 from 6pm to 8:30pm. The contest has produced several performers who have gone on to appear in professional productions at The Media Theatre and at other regional theatres, including Beada Briglia who was a top five placer during Vocalist Junior and is currently in Broadway's hit show Matilda. She was also in A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden two years ago.
All ages may audition on the same nights and will be placed in the proper category according to their age. “The Vocalist” is for ages 14-24 while “Vocalist Junior” is for ages 7-13. (During the actual competition, Vocalist lights up Media Theatre's stage for five consecutive Wednesday nights beginning July 8, while Junior does the same starting July 12.)
Between 35-40 contestants will be culled from the auditions for both versions of “The Vocalist”. Jesse Cline, the theatre’s Artistic Director, selects the individuals for the competition.
“There are many talented individuals who can be developed throughout the process, Cline said. Watching them grow as vocalists each week as we rehearse and perform is interesting and noteworthy. This is an educational event for each of them, as well as an entertaining contest.”
After the audition process, Cline chooses those he believes are the most capable and those who are able to apply direction he gives to what it is they do each week. “Contestants have a lot of pressure to deal with,” he explained. “They must be able to handle that as well as the ability to focus on their performance. It's the perfect combination of our mission of music theatre and education.”
All contestants perform the first three weeks of the competition, with no eliminations until they head into week four, regardless of the judge’s scoring. Scores are added together for the first three weeks and eliminations begin prior to the Round Four Semi-Finals. Cline is the one constant judge throughout the summer, sharing the duty with guest judges each week. Cline has one extra category: Individualism, which defines each participant’s unique ability to connect with the song and to the audience.
The winner of “The Vocalist” and “The Vocalist Junior” will receive a cash prize to assist in furthering their education or career. Iron Workers Bank sponsors the competition.
There is a $25 registration fee for the auditions at The Media Theatre. All auditioning must bring sheet music for the pianist. Any audition song is acceptable for both age groups.
For more information, visit
mediatheatre.org. You may register online at
mediatheatre.org, or register at the door the night of the auditions. No appointments; the auditions are held in order of ‘sign-up’. No phone calls. Please email
rer764@gmail.com with questions.
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