Singer, Actor Takes Stage in Delco Idol Competition and 'Teen Rent'

Making it to the final week of last year's Delco Idol competition has this singer wanting more than an encore. He has his eye on the prize as he rehearses and practices for the competition that begins this week at the

Media resident, Chris Infantino, tried swimming and basketball, but sports weren't really for him. He found his passion on the stage after his parents enrolled him in acting classes. Infantino has been in productions at the Media Theatre for the past seven years and plans to take the stage for the third time this summer to compete for 2011's Delco Idol against 40 other contestants. 

Even though he has been singing since kindergarten and participated in school choir, he decided to really get serious and began taking voice lessons about two years ago. Infantino just wrapped up a vocal camp at the Kimmel Center. The experience was eye opening, he said.

The 15-year-old Westtown High School student got to see new venues, meet new people, and learn a lot of new techniques. He takes his talent and craft very seriously because the goal is to get on stage.

"As soon as I go out on stage and start singing in front of an audience, I realize why I am doing this because this is the feeling I get, and it's pretty incredible," said Infantino.

Some of his previous performances include Grease, Little Shop of Horrors, Urinetown, and Les Miserables. While singing his way to Delco Idol, he will also be rehearsing for the Media Theatre's production of Teen Rent. Though this version is slightly toned down compared to the adult-themed Broadway smash, Infantino said the message is the same, "No day, but today."

As for Delco Idol, he has a different plan from last year.

"Delco Idol is a different experience than shows, so making it to the final week [last year] was a pretty big deal," he said. 

Infantino recalled performing a ballad every week, so he plans to add more variety to his song repertoire this year. He will open the competition this week with "Take a Chance on Me" from the musical Little Women. Another goal is to focus on conveying more confidence in his performance and keeping an eye on himself by reviewing recordings of the show.

The challenge of auditions and performances is trying to always stay positive and not judge yourself, he said. Infantino has learned through years at the Media Theatre that if he comes off stage with a clear head, it was a good performance.

"If you come off and you remember you made this mistake or that mistake, it means all you were thinking about was the mistakes you were making, so if you come off not remembering a thing you did, it means you did a good job. You're just focusing, you’re thinking," he explained.

One of the keys to Infantino's success has been his supportive friends and family. He is grateful for his parent's constant encouragement, which makes him work hard to achieve his goal. He's also pretty grateful for all the rides to rehearsals. His friends in the Media Theatre summer shows also support him.

"It's inspiring to see everyone do what they love doing with each other."

It may be too far off in the future to make celebratory plans, but Infantino hopes to win. And he does know he would save the prize money hopefully for a New York City future.

Infantino has stepped into the audience to enjoy watching a few Broadway shows, too. One of his recent favorites is Tony-award-winning, Billy Elliot. He also loves Rent, Les Miserable, Wicked, and will even vouch for Spiderman: Turn off the Dark. But after he saw Phantom of the Opera he said the title character would be his dream role. 

For now his plate is full, but since it's what he loves to do, it doesn't seem like work.

"You just take a deep breath and go out and have fun," Infantino said.