June 27: International Idol Grand Finale! Who Will Win?

The competition was close last Sunday, June 20 for the International Idol Vocal Competition held at the Soo Theatre in downtown Sault Ste. Marie. Three contestants in the 13-and-Under Division and five in the 14-and-Older Division qualified for the final round. All remaining contestants are from the Eastern Upper Peninsula and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

Week Three qualifiers in the 13-and-Under Division who will be competing in the finals are Hollyann Beck, Eva Perron, and Caitlin LeBlanc. The 14-and-Older Division final competitors are Morgan Steele, Kellen Perron, Brandon Carr, Kierstan Jacobson, and Caity Carter. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in each division.

The final round of International Idol will be held Sunday, June 27th at 6:00 p.m. This Sunday’s final round guest performer is internationally-known soprano Karen Hughes who will sing "The Impossible Dream" and will speak to the contestants about the many benefits of a music career. Opening the show will be a snippet from the Soo Theatre’s upcoming summer musical, Guys and Dolls.

Join us in supporting the Idol contestants and the Soo Theatre Project by coming to see who will be named Soo Theatre’s 2010 International Idol. Admission is $5.00 at the door, with all proceeds benefiting the Soo Theatre Project, Inc.

Further information can be obtained by calling the theatre at (906) 632-1930 or visiting our website at www.sootheatre.org. The Soo Theatre Project is located at 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.

STARS Presents Alice in Wonderland Jun 25 & 26

The Soo Theatre’s STARS musical theatre summer students, ranging in age from elementary through high school, have been working hard with STARS directors and costumers for the past two weeks in preparation for a wonderful musical adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. Show poster

The show, whose characters are all students of the musical theatre camp, begins with Alice sitting with her sister in the park, when she sees a white rabbit hurry down his hole. She is curious about where the rabbit is going and she follows him into the dark tunnel. Alice, then, finds herself in Wonderland! There, she finds out what it is like to grow and shrink very quickly and along the way she encounters a caucus race, jabbering twins, a rude patch of flowers, a bubble-blowing caterpillar, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter’s tea party, an angry Queen of Hearts, and a trial in which Alice is afraid she might lose her head!

Performances will be held Friday, June 25th at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, June 26th at 2:00 p.m. Admission is $5.00 at the door. Don’t miss the chance to watch some very talented musical students and support the efforts of Soo Theatre Project, Inc..

For further information please call (906) 632-1930 and/or visit our website at sootheatre.org. Soo Theatre Project is located at 534 Ashmun Street in Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

Soo Theatre Arts Resource Studios (STARS) is a community arts center offering instruction in music, dance, theater, and yoga for students of all ages. STARS is a program of the Soo Theatre Project, partially housed in the historic Soo Theatre complex.

International Idol 2010 Continues June 20: Come See What Happens!

Another spectacular week of competition in the Third Annual Soo Theatre International Idol Vocal Competition was held this past Sunday, June 13th (check out June 13 photos here). International Idol is a vocal competition allowing talented performers from the Eastern Upper Peninsula and Sault, Ontario to compete on the Soo Theatre stage.

The Master of Ceremonies for International Idol is Rock 101 personality, Mark San Angelo. San Angelo was accompanied by judges “Gentleman” George Snider, radio personality Allison Miller, and local singer/actress Amy Preville. Guest artist for Week Two was last year’s International Idol winner, Danielle Petingalo, who spoke about how the dream is constantly on her mind when performing and moving ahead in her career. She is currently working on her first CD with Lake Street Studio.

Week Two resulted in further cuts in the competition. The four contestants in the 13-and-under division moving on to Week Three are Hollyann Beck, Riley Gridzak, Caitlin LeBlanc, and Eva Perron. In the 14-and-older division, only eight contestants will be moving on. They are Brandon Carr, Caity Carter, Tawny Freel, Kierstan Jacobson, Kellan Perron, Larry Peterman, Morgan Steele, and Tiffany Williams. All contestants will be required to perform two songs for Week Three in order for the judges to decide who will participate in the final week of competition to be held June 27th.

The third round of Soo Theatre’s International Idol begins at 6 p.m. this Sunday, June 20th. Special guest performer will be the 2008 Idol competition winner, KT Antler. Admission is $5.00 with all proceeds benefiting the Soo Theatre Project, Inc.

Further information can be obtained by calling the theatre at (906) 632-1930 or visiting our website at www.sootheatre.org. The Soo Theatre Project is located at 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.

Join us in supporting the Idol contestants and the Soo Theatre Project!

Don't Miss Us at Music in the Park on Wed. Jun 16

The Soo Theatre Project and STARS kick off the City of Sault Ste. Marie’s Music in the Park series on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 7:00 pm. This free event at Soo Locks Park includes performances by STARS students and faculty, as well as selections from the upcoming Soo Theatre summer season.

The STARS Footlights Dance Theatre, directed by Dianna George, and the STARS Youth Orchestra, directed by Dottie Case, will be performing pieces from the recently concluded winter-spring semester. Members of the cast of Guys and Dolls, directed by Bob Koger, will present scenes from the upcoming Soo Theatre summer musical scheduled for July 15-18th.

Vocal performances will feature Karen Hughes singing a piece from the upcoming Soo Opera Theatre’s comedic opera Gianni Schicchi (August 12, 13, and 15th); Maureen Delaney-Lehman singing "Summertime;" and Alyssa Morley singing "Under the Sea."

For further information please contact the Soo Theatre Project at (906) 632-1930 or visit our website www.sootheatre.org. The Soo Theatre Project is located at 534 Ashmun Street in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

Soo Theatre Arts Resource Studios (STARS) is a community arts center offering instruction in music, dance, theater, and yoga for students of all ages. STARS is a program of the Soo Theatre Project, partially housed in the historic Soo Theatre complex.

STARS Summer Registration Is Still Open! Call Today!

There are still spots available for some of the summer semester offerings at STARS and the Soo Theatre.

STARS Summer 2010 Class Brochure

STARS Student Registration Form

Classes offered include a wide variety of selections for everyone of all ages, regardless of previous experience. Classes and camps are held throughout the summer at different dates and times. Come join the fun and sign up for one of these sessions:

Dance Classes:
Ballet I, I & II, III – IV-V
Ballet/Jazz A-B
Tap I-II

Camps:
Middle/High School Musical Theatre
Vocal/Opera Workshop
Toddler Mexican Folklore
Dance Camp
Elementary Arts Exploration
Elementary Musical Theatre

Yoga:
Early Bird Yoga
Yoga for Adults/Teens
Thai Yoga Therapy

Music Classes and Groups:
Beginning Piano
New Horizons
Tunes for Toddlers

Further information can be obtained by calling the theatre at (906) 632-1930 or visiting our website at www.sootheatre.org. The Soo Theatre Project is located at 534 Ashmun Street in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

Soo Theatre Arts Resource Studios (STARS) is a community arts center offering instruction in music, dance, theater, and yoga for students of all ages. STARS is a program of the Soo Theatre Project, partially housed in the historic Soo Theatre complex.

International Idol is Underway; Don't Miss the 2nd Round Sunday, Jun 13!

The third annual Soo Theatre International Idol Vocal Competition is underway, with spectacular performances by all contestants. The vocal competition is modeled after American Idol, but with a twist, as the competitors come from the Eastern Upper Peninsula area, including both Sault, Michigan and Sault, Ontario. Contestants are divided into two age groups, 13 years old and under and 14 years old and above.

Qualifying rounds were held this past Sunday, June 6th, with a total of 29 contestants vying for a spot in next week’s competition. Mark San Angelo did an excellent job as MC, along with the competition's judges George Snider, Allison Miller, and Amy Preville.

Special guest Bill Kritselis performed his song, "Born In Sault Ste. Marie,” for the audience. Mr. Kritselis, in his 80s, who has always hoped to sing on the big stage at the Soo Theater, was able to realize his dream by performing during the first round qualifying.

Seven contestants performed in the 13-and-under age group, all of whom impressed the judges enough to move on to the next round. This group is comprised of Hollyann Beck, Riley Gridzak, Caitlin LeBlanc, Joselynn Payment, Eva Perron, Sam Burton, and Jade Osborn. During the next round this group will perform two songs from two different categories, "Anything Disney" and “Singer’s Choice.”

In the 14-and-older age group there were a total of twenty-two contestants, fifteen of which will be moving on to the next round. Those moving on are Crystal Bialorucki, Hannah Burton, Brandon Carr, Caity Carter, Sarah Donnelly, Zachariah Dose, Tawny Freel, Sheri Hicks, Kierstan Jacobson, Christian Perron, Kellen Perron, Larry Peterman, Morgan Steele, Jesse Trotter, and Tiffany Williams. This group will also perform two songs from two different categories, “Beatles” and “Singer’s Choice.”

The second round of Soo Theatre’s International Idol begins at 6 p.m. this Sunday, June 13th. Special guest performer will be the winner from last year’s competition, Danielle Petingalo. Admission is $5.00 with all proceeds benefiting the Soo Theatre Project, Inc.

Further information can be obtained by calling the theatre at (906) 632-1930 or visiting our website at www.sootheatre.org. The Soo Theatre Project is located at 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.

Join us in supporting the Idol contestants and the Soo Theatre Project.

Int'l Idol 2010 Contest Starts Jun 6: $2000 in Cash and Prizes Up for Grabs

Download the application and contest rules here.

The Soo Theatre Project once again presents the much anticipated International Idol competition which focuses this year on the theme "The Possible Dream." For those who have what it takes to challenge themselves and others in determining who is the best at performing vocally on stage, this is for you.

Contestants will vie for over $2,000 in cash and prize money in two different divisions, 13-and-under and 14-and-over. Sponsorship has expanded to include All Good Soundz Music, Lake Street Studio, Old Mission Bank, and Bob Arfstrom. Contestants will be judged every Sunday in June on vocal quality, stage presence and song selection.

This year's competition will start at 4:00pm on June 6th at the Soo Theatre; all who are entering must be at the first performance by 3:30 pm. The top three finalists of each division will be awarded prizes with the Grand Champion prize for the 14 and Over Division paying out $600 for 1st place, $400 for 2nd, and $200 for third. The Grand Champion of the 14 and Over Division will also receive $500 worth of studio time at Lake Street Studio, an opportunity to perform at a Dream Makers Theater presentation, a Music-In-The-Park guest appearance and an opportunity to perform in a stage production sponsored by the Soo Theatre Project.

Contestants can find further information on the International Idol website at www.sootheatre.org/idol. Fill out the application and return to the Soo Theatre Project, 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, 906-632-1930 as soon as possible. You may also hand in your application at the door before the contest.

If you have music, please email Jennifer Compo at admin@allgoodsoundz.com to make sure she has what you are intending to sing.

Download the application and contest rules here.

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer.
Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience,
and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."

Our May 2010 Newsletter Is Now Available

Our May 2010 Newsletter is now available online in PDF format (1.2 Mb).

Soo Opera Theatre Announces June 6 Auditions

The Soo Opera Theatre of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan announces auditions for Gianni Schicchi, an opera in one act by Giacomo Puccini. Audition Flyer

Auditions are Sunday, June 6th at noon at the Soo Theatre and at 7:00 p.m. at the Algoma University Auditorium.

Auditions will be heard by Stage Director Timothy Murphy; Artistic Director Karen Hughes, and Soprano Elizabeth Kinghorn.

The opera will be performed August 12, 13, and 15, 2010.

For more information, call 906-647-8101 or contact the Soo Theatre Project at (906) 632-1930 or www.sootheatre.org. Soo Theatre Project, 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.

Barbershop Double Feature to Benefit Soo Theatre Project Jun 5

Get ready for a double feature of barbershop harmony!

The Lock Cities Chorus of Sweet Adelines International and Northland Barbershop Chorus of Sault Ste. Marie will be performing the third annual benefit performance for the Soo Theatre Project, Saturday, June 5th at 7:30 p.m. Adult tickets are $15.00 and student tickets are $10.00, available at the Soo Theatre main office and at the door an hour before the performance.

The Lock Cities Chorus of Sweet Adelines are performing a “Let’s Get Away” theme, directed by Judy Hendrickson. The Northland Barbershop Chorus, directed by Bob Shami, are performing a “Cowboy Chorale” montage in which three genres of performance art are combined into one memorable evening: Classic Western Music sung a cappella in four-part Barbershop Harmony is featured together with Cowboy Poetry.

Please support the Soo Theatre Project by watching this wonderful benefit show of Barbershop-style singers, Saturday, June 5th at 7:30 pm. The two choruses will perform at the Soo Theatre, located at 534 Ashmun Street Sault Ste. Marie, MI (906) 632-1930 or www.sootheatre.org. Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for students. Come, join, and support the Soo Theatre Project.