Young Artists Show Off Their Talents at NJPAC

Hundreds of talented teenagers convered on Newark this past weekend to show off their singing, dancing, acting and musical talents as part of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center's annual Young Artist Talent Search.

"They wanted to hear if there was an intense flip between my head voice and my chest voice,” recalled Montclair High School student Helen Laser.  “I had to do an exercise going slowly from one octave to another.  It was very difficult.   (The director) knew exactly what she wanted.”

Laser said what astonished her was how much she learned at her audition.  “I know NJPAC is supposed to be a learning environment, but I’ve never been plunged into (a singing lesson) like that during an audition,” said the high-school junior. “I sang Being in Love from “Brigadoon” in an upbeat, jazzy way and then they asked me to do it in a more nightclub way.  Then they had me do scales.  It was intense.”

John Youngs IV, a 16-year-old jazz drummer who attends West Orange High School, came to the audition with something similar in mind: to improve his musical education.  “I know I can get the best musical training here,” he said, sitting in the hallway outside the audition room.  “I want to expand my horizons.”

Laser and Youngs were among the hundreds of  young hopefuls who competed this weekend for a coveted spot in one of the NJPAC summer programs.  These students said they are dreaming of a future in the performing arts and felt it was  their best shot at getting the training they need. 

According to NJPAC, the Newark-based center has the fourth-largest performance education program in the United States and has “discovered” thousands of gifted performing artists through the years.  The center claims it provides top quality instruction for all, regardless of family income or experience level.

“If someone shows passion and commitment, there’s a place for them here, even if they haven’t had a lot of training,” said Sandra Bowie, Vice President of Arts Education at NJPAC. “We want people to know that we’re here for the beginner, as well as that child who wants professional training.”

Providing instruction for all levels of students has become increasingly important since many New Jersey school district arts programs were cut because of budget constraints. Those cuts stretched from the well-to-do school districts to poorer, urban schools.

“It’s just wonderful helping these children who want to participate in the arts so much.  And yet, in our schools, we’re seeing the arts disappearing,” observed Bowie. “So we find that, instead of enhancing their education, we’re filling in a gap.  (Because) arts are vital to a full education, the work we do here is curricular.”

Sanaz Hojreh, Assistant Vice President of Arts Education, agreed.  “It’s great to see these young vocalists, dancers, actors and instrumentalists who have so much energy and desire.  Not only are they developing their talent, they’re developing their self-esteem, communication skills, critical thinking and their ability to articulate in front of a group.  Their growth is tremendous.”

Eighth grade singer Olivia Rodericks, who traveled from Glen Ridge for the audition, said she  was pleased when the judges responded favorably to her rendition of the Italian art song, Caro Mio Bene. 

“Singing is awesome and fun.  That’s my logic,” she quipped, before sprinting down the hall to her next audition.

NJPAC offers several summer programs and many of the students audition for more than one.  Some, like Wachovia Jazz for Teens or the Summer Youth Performance Workshop are competitive and/or offer Conservatory-type training.  Others, like the Young Artists Institute, are designed for beginner or intermediate level performers.

The NJPAC/NJ Youth Theater Summer Musical Program is the most competitive program offered through the Young Artists Talent Search.  Cynthia Meryl, the show’s director and musical director, states that its mission is to provide top training for people interested in a career in the performing arts.  In fact, at age 15-22, some of the participants are already professional.

“Last year, we auditioned 250 people for 30 spots,” says Meryl.  “This year, they have to be even more well-trained, because this is a classical music comedy.”

The atmosphere in the audition room was similar to a Broadway casting situation, with seven or eight casting professionals seated behind a long table.  The candidate had to behave in a poised and professional manner, facing the casting team while singing his or her song to the director’s specifications. 

“They must know what they’re doing,” stated Meryl matter-of-factly.  Still, when asked whether training was crucial in the casting process, she replied, “If I can see that they’re workable, I can lead them.  We’ve had several kids who came in with raw talent and we turned them around.”

As an example, Meryl describes one memorable actor who auditioned when she was casting the show, Oliver! 

“He was a big, heavy kid, and he was from an urban area.  He said, ‘You’re never going to cast me.’  But I saw something in him.  Not only did I call him back, I cast him as Mr. Bumble.  He went on to attend Rutgers University and is now the production manager of Symphony Hall.”

Bowie and Hojreh note that, whenever possible, auditioners who are not accepted into one program are invited into another. In this way, performers receive support rather than rejection, even if their audition doesn’t go well.

Bowie said, “There was this one little girl, she was sitting in a corner sulking.  I knew this little girl.  I came over and said, ‘How did it go?’  She said, “They told me to come back next year.  They said I was straining my voice because I was belting.’  I said, ‘I know your voice, you have a lyric voice, you shouldn’t be belting.’  I talked to the teacher and we got her into SYPW (Summer Youth Performance Workshop) and they worked with her to protect her voice.”

“Sometimes (casting directors) kind of make you feel scared,” reported Isabella Gelfand, an actress from Westfield who auditioned for the first time at NJPAC this year. “But this time it was very nice.  Everyone was smiling.  They made me laugh and feel comfortable.  They made me feel like I’m not just another person on the audition list.”

Gelfand, a seventh grader, paused before admitting, “I’ve auditioned before and I didn’t really enjoy the experience.  I know that’s how it is in the professional world.  But I feel like NJ PAC is a safe haven for me.”

Alex Thompson, a Columbia High School senior from Maplewood, said he was,  “a little intimidated by the long table with seven or eight judges” at the Youth Theater Summer Musical Program audition.  “I was like . . . ‘Oh, hello.’ ” He added, “Music auditions at colleges are more intimidating (than at NJPAC).  This one was fun and supportive.”

In addition to lessening the stress of the audition process, students who come to NJPAC through the Young Artists Talent Search (or “YATS” as they call it) find the atmosphere in the classes confidence-building.

West Caldwell dancer Lauren Bomberg, 17, who has been studying at the NJPAC Summer Youth Performance Workshop for five years, reported, “It’s been a wonderful experience.”  She went on to say that NJPAC taught her basic choreography techniques, as well as acting and singing, that helped her become “well-rounded at the core.”  

“I know people who studied here.  Their success stories inspired me,” said Youngs, smiling before his audition.  His feelings were echoed by Gelfand, who stated, “I think it’s a great place to learn.  It would be a privilege for me to study here.”