Pioneer Theatre Guild’s FutureStars 2020 returns for its 18th year at Pioneer High School’s Schreiber Auditorium on Jan. 17, 18 and 25.
A citywide talent search for Ann Arbor’s next star, FutureStars features students from Ann Arbor’s public high schools as they sing, rap, and play music.
Senior Bridget Roberts, a Top 5 finalist last year, is thrilled for her fourth and final year as a FutureStars performer.
“FutureStars is one of my favorite times of the year,” she said. “It’s different from PTG’s musicals because the performers and the audience interact more, and the hype from the audience brings a great energy to Pioneer.”
Students are guided by professional coaches that assist them in learning their songs.
Ryan Yunk, a Pioneer High School alum and previous performer and winner of FutureStars 2010, commented that working on FutureStars 2020 as a coach is a “really beautiful feeling,” and adds: “This show means so much to me, and it’s been deeply fulfilling to be able to contribute to it these past several years.”
He says that working with Ann Arbor public high school students has exceeded expectations.
“I always knew the talent level around here was through the roof, but I didn’t realize that the good vibes level was so high, too,” he said. “These kids are a truly sweet, enthusiastic, hard-working bunch, and it’s been a real joy getting to know them and help them to shine.”
PTG Student Board President Etai Smotrich-Barr is excited by the opportunity to work with professional musicians and put on sold out shows. He said that one of the things he’s grateful for in FutureStars is the resources available.
“We get to perform with a live professional band in an auditorium that seats over a thousand people and sing our hearts out in front of our peers,” he said.
As head stage manager, Kat Berens has a difficult but important job to keep the show running. She coordinates the rehearsals to ensure that every performer makes it to their coaching on time and with the necessary materials. Come opening night, she is at the back of the theatre calling cues and ready to step in if anything goes wrong.
“My favorite part is watching the show come together,” she says. “I get to see the numbers develop from the very first rehearsal, when performers are timidly reading through the sheet music, to the final performance.”
Each of the two preliminary shows features two musical themes. The top six acts from each preliminary show perform at the Finals, evaluated by a panel of celebrity judges and voted on by the audience, to determine the winning “FutureStar 2020.”
The Finals Competition also includes performances by the RisingStars (participating underclassmen) and wildcard performances.
Tickets on sale @ A2Tix.com: https://a2tix.com/organizations/pioneer-theater-guild
$10 Students/65+ Seniors/Pioneer Staff
$15 Adults
PRELIMINARY SHOWS
Friday, January 17th @ 7:30pm (Preliminary Show – Themes include Arena Rock & myTunes: Top hits from 2019)
Saturday, January 18th @ 7:30pm (Preliminary Show – Themes include Disney & 2000’s)
FINALS SHOW
Saturday, January 25th @ 7:30pm (Finals Show: Songs from all 4 themes: Arena Rock, myTunes, Disney, and 2000’s)
FutureStars 2020
Director/Producer: Jayme Kelmigian
Music Director: Billy Harrington
Assistant Music Director: Ryan Lewis
Vocal Coaches: Ryan Lewis, Adam Plomaritas, & Ryan Yunck
Rising Stars Director: Thani Brant
RisingStars Music Director: John Bogdan
Host Coach: Julie Strassel
Performance Coaches Maya Alwan, Andrew Plinio, Owen Smith, and Nina White
Technical Director: Mysti Plummer
Be the first to comment