Past winner Ally Are aims to repeat in 2018 Morristown Onstage contest

Ally Are, who won Morristown Onstage (then called Morristown's Got Talent) in 2015, will compete again in 2018. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Ally Are, who won Morristown Onstage (then called Morristown's Got Talent) in 2015, will compete again in 2018. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
0

 

Poet Ally Are will try to become the second repeat-winner of Morristown Onstage, when she performs in February with Dance Innovations.

They were announced on Tuesday as finalists, chosen from more than 60 acts that auditioned over the weekend for the 11th annual edition of this benefit show.

Are’s poem about struggling to maintain a positive self-image won the $1,000 prize in the adult division in 2015. Dance Innovations competed in 2013.

They will have plenty of competition at the Mayo Performing Arts Center on Feb. 28, 2018. The other finalists:

  • Shayna Atkinson and James Moran, Singing with piano accompaniment 
  • Allison Chong, Acrobatic/Dance
  • Jackie & Peter, Singing with piano accompaniment 
  • The Mau Brothers, Piano Duet
  • Nina & The BoyzBand
  • Playful Banter, Singing Duet 
  • CJ Ryan, Singing 
  • SideSlam, Band
  • June SorianoSinging
  • Spare Tire Band, Band
  • Gabrielle TrumbullSinging
  • Juliette TrumbullSinging
  • Zap the Moles, Band
  • Liv Zito, Singing

The contest is open to amateur performers who live, work or study in Morristown, Morris Township or Morris Plains, the towns comprising the Morris School District, and to alumni of Morristown High School.

morristown onstage 2018 logo v1This year’s show raised a record $126,000 for the Morris Educational Foundation, which funds programs in the district.

Contestants will be introduced to the media in early January, and tickets for the show are scheduled to go onsale in February.

A panel of pros will choose prizewinners in the over- and under-18 categories. Prizes also will go to the “most promising” act, and to the crowd’s favorite.

The Fab Three–siblings Sofia, Isabella and Arthur Wawrzyniak–won the youth prize in 2015, after winning third-place honors under a different format in 2013.

“You have to put your best foot forward,” Are coached finalists two years ago.

“If singing’s what you love, act like you love it. If dancing’s what you love, act like you love it. If you don’t love it today, you’d better pretend you’re an actress and act like you love it!  If you’re not selling it to the audience, they’re not buying it,” she said in her pep talk.

Ally Are’s winning performance in 2015, video by Kevin Coughlin:

Video: Ally Are pep talk to 2016 finalists:

Video: The Fab 3 win for the second time, in 2015:

MORE ABOUT MORRISTOWN ONSTAGE 2018

COVERAGE OF MORRISTOWN ONSTAGE 2017

 

 

June Soriano auditions for 2018 Morristown Onstage contest, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Jeff Sovelove
June Soriano auditions for 2018 Morristown Onstage contest, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Jeff Sovelove
Dance Innovations auditions for 2018 Morristown Onstage contest, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Jeff Sovelove
Dance Innovations auditions for 2018 Morristown Onstage contest, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Jeff Sovelove
The Mau Brothers audition for 2018 Morristown Onstage contest, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Jeff Sovelove
The Mau Brothers audition for 2018 Morristown Onstage contest, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Jeff Sovelove
CJ Ryan auditions for 2018 Morristown Onstage contest, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Jeff Sovelove
CJ Ryan auditions for 2018 Morristown Onstage contest, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Jeff Sovelove
Shayna Atkinson auditions for 2018 Morristown Onstage contest, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Jeff Sovelove
Shayna Atkinson auditions for 2018 Morristown Onstage contest, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Jeff Sovelove
Side Slam auditions for 2018 Morristown Onstage contest, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Jeff Sovelove
Side Slam auditions for 2018 Morristown Onstage contest, Dec. 16, 2017. Photo by Jeff Sovelove

If you’ve read this far… you clearly value your local news. Now we need your help to keep producing the local coverage you depend on! More people are reading Morristown Green than ever. But costs keep rising. Reporting the news takes time, money and hard work. We do it because we, like you, believe an informed citizenry is vital to a healthy community.

So please, CONTRIBUTE to MG or become a monthly SUBSCRIBER. ADVERTISE on Morristown Green. LIKE us on Facebook, FOLLOW us on Twitter, and SIGN UP for our newsletter.

LEAVE A REPLY