Centre Stage at the Hall seeks performers

July 15, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Marni Walsh

The Heritage Music Festival, running from August 3 to 7, is bringing many new changes to the Shelburne Rotary Club’s traditional fiddle competition that put Shelburne on the map in the 1960s.

One new event in the making is Centre Stage at the Hall, a variety show featuring local talent in a performance at Grace Tipling Hall.

At least that is the hope.

At this point, the sub-committee in charge of Centre Stage at the Hall is still seeking more performers to add to the roster of talent who have applied to be part of the show. The sub-committee, an extension of the Performing and Visual Arts Board of Management for the Town of Shelburne, consists of CAO John Telfer, Noni Thomas, Dale Lundy, Kelly McDowell, Andrew James, and Sohayla Smith.

Ms. Smith says the Performing and Visual Arts Board is in place to help further develop the performing and visual arts and entertainment industry in the town.

“We are home to dance schools, music instructors, painters, visual artists, songwriters, musicians, and so much more,” says Sohayla. “I believe I can speak on behalf of the committee when I say that we all have an equally strong love and appreciation for the arts. This is why we are working hard to bring Centre Stage to fruition.”

“The goal [for Centre Stage] is to gain a broader awareness for Grace Tipling Hall as an art hub for the community of Shelburne,” she adds. “The hall is a place where theatre, concerts, art, events, and gallery showings are concentrated; the hope is to draw the attention of entertainment seekers, and likewise, performing groups that are looking for a venue, and as well, to celebrate and showcase the talents of Shelburne and our surrounding area by putting on an event that gives everyone a moment to shine on Centre Stage.

“Everyone from budding young talents to experienced professionals are welcome. We’ve had some submissions, and they’re definitely passionate entries, but they’re coming in slow.”

But, in the end, she stresses that this is a show, not a competition.

“We need more performers,” says Sohayla, “and any volunteers willing to help coordinate the event with us. The committee is looking for musicians, singers, dancers, acrobats, jugglers, poets, comedians, any type of family-friendly performing art.”

Centre Stage at the Hall will take place August 6, showcasing local and surrounding area talent. Audition submission is open to all ages, and all styles of performing arts, with a July 20 deadline.

Audition submission must include the following: performance type; a bio and a high resolution photo; an email address; phone number; postal code; ensure content is family friendly and appropriate for all ages; upload video to youtube and provide url/link and save/name file as: “CentreStage_PERFORMANCEtype_LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_2016”

(example file name: CentreStage_Dance_Smith_Susan_2016)
EMAIL Audition Submissions to: thehall@shelburne.ca

Submissions are being accepted until midnight, July 20. Selected acts will be contacted to move onto the live audition. Participants must be available for on location live audition/rehearsals and performance dates the following days: live call back July 23 and 24.

Chosen acts will be confirmed July.

Those who unable to submit on line, may audition at live call backs. Tech set up is July 30, while August 3 is a full dress rehearsal, and the actual showcase performance is August 6th.

Audition details can also be found here: www.facebook.com/events/289083421437943.

“The hope is to give local talents a moment on stage – to show off their skills and passion,” says Sohayla Smith, “to put on a great show with great people who love art – for the love of art – and enjoy the experience together.”