Dance Triumphs at the Actors’ Playhouse Young Talent Big Dreams Finals

The 5th annual Actors’ Playhouse Young Talent Big Dreams competition, presented by The Children’s Trust, crowned 14-year-old dancer Barbara Perdomo the overall winner for her captivating performance of “Fauns Labyrinth.” The grand prize includes $500 and an all expenses paid trip to attend the American Idol finale courtesy of WSVN7.

The evening showcased a total of 36 contestants on the Mainstage at the Miracle Theatre and was sponsored by Wells Fargo. In addition to the overall grand prize winner, a winner was chosen in each category, both in individual and group performances. Kids ages 8-17 competed in a total of six individual categories including; pop/rock/rap vocals, musical theatre/jazz standards/classical vocals, dance, musical instrument, original spoken word and original vocal and/or instrumental composition, and categories of six or less members including; dance, musical instrumental and band/vocal group. Prizes included master classes taught by local professionals, tickets to a variety of local cultural performances, cash prizes and more. 

“Thanks to all of the contestants for making this another great year of competition!” said Barbara S. Stein, Executive Producing Director of Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre. “These young performers inspire us with their abilities and enrich our lives with their unique talents.”

Perdomo competed with four other contestants in the Individual Dance category. She is part of the dance magnet program at South Miami Middle and attends additional classes at New Image Dance Company. Hundreds of kids began auditioning in February of this year and vied in April’s semi-finals for a chance to perform at the finals. Young Talent Big Dreams is the most widespread local youth talent contest in Miami-Dade County.

 

“It’s wonderful when we see contestants who are so committed that they keep coming back to try again, either in the same category or in different ones,” said Charles Auslander, President and CEO of The Children’s Trust. “It’s beautiful to see their growth and development and in doing so how losing made them stronger and more resilient, which is a form of winning in itself.”

Judges for the Finals included Artistic Director of Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, David Arisco; Features Writer at The Miami Herald, Howard Cohen; Jazz Entertainer Joe Donato; Musical Theatre Expert, Latrice Bruno Hutchins; and Co-founder and Executive Director of PATH, Inc., Natalie Lewis-Schere. 

For more information, visit www.actorsplayhouse.org or call 211. To learn more about The Children’s Trust, please visit www.thechildrenstrust.org.

 

About Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre

Actors’ Playhouse is the nonprofit resident theatre company and managing agent of the historic Miracle Theatre on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables. Actors’ Playhouse, which has brought home 85 regional Carbonell Awards for artistic excellence, is a Florida Presenting Cultural Organization and one of 22 major cultural institutions in Miami-Dade County. In addition to its Mainstage season, Actors’ Playhouse offers a year-round season of Musical Theatre for Young Audiences, a Theatre Conservatory and Summer Camp Program, as well as educational arts outreach programs for underserved youth, and has initiated a Young Talent Big Dreams contest for children in partnership with The Children’s Trust.

 

About The Children’s Trust

The Children’s Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County.

 


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