By Joseph Knoop
Carmel High School students with a passion for the stage have a chance to earn both recognition and a cash prize in the CHS Talent Show this month.
Organized by the “Behind the Scenes Club,” a parent volunteer group, the show will award prizes in the form of two “Judge’s Choice” winners of $100 each and three “audience favorite” winners of $50 each. Admission is $5 per person, and each audience member is allowed to use their admission ticket as one “vote.” Additional raffle-style tickets can be purchased for $1 each and used to increase audience votes with no purchase limit. Twenty acts will be judged on factors such as originality.
Proceeds from the show go toward raising scholarship funds awarded to students who intend to pursue a college degree in the performing arts, including technical theater, stage management, directing, film production and more.
The Behind the Scenes Club primarily assists students who are too busy between academics and extracurricular arts activities by providing financial and volunteer support throughout the year. Aside from scholarship awards, the club also frequently provides meals for students and helps man concession booths during performances.
BTSC Vice President Michelle Milazzo says the club stepped in to fill the gap of arts-based scholarships.
“There really aren’t that many scholarships for theater arts kids,” Milazzo said. “Some are for athletes and kids with really high GPAs, but as far as theater education scholarships, there’s just not many out there.”
Previous CHS students that have gone on to pursue careers in the performing arts include Sean Davis (Cold Case, The Middleman, The Office) and set designer Kevin Depinet.
All students interested in auditioning can find more info on the CHS theater call board or at behindthescenesclub.com.
CHS Talent show
When: 7 p.m. Feb. 26
Where: CHS Dale E. Graham Auditorium, 520 E. Main St.
Cost: $5 admission, with additional votes $1
More info: BehindTheScenesClub.com
