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Finalists gather at high school for Morristown Onstage

Test stage, receive tips during media day for big show

William Westhoven
@WWesthoven

MORRISTOWN -

Anastasia and the Pit's Anastasia Bergeron and Spencer Butts perform during the Morris Educational Foundation Media Day at Morristown High School for its 9th annual Morristown Talent Show renamed Morristown ONSTAGE. The event will take place on February 24, 2016 at the Mayo Performing Arts Center. January 9, 2016, Morristown, NJ.

A wealth of all-Morris County talent gathered Saturday at the high school for a Media Day event introducing this year's finalists for the big Morristown Onstage benefit talent competition on Feb. 24 at the Mayor Center for the Performing Arts.

The acts will vie for cash prizes and the chance to showcase their talent to the public at a world-class theater in front of as many as 1,200 people. The ninth-annual event, formerly known as Morristown's Got Talent, serves as a benefit for the Morris Educational Foundation through ticket sales and Playbill advertising.

The assembly on Saturday featured 15 finalist groups or individuals who emerged from an audition on Dec. 12. They met the organizers, the media and each other, and each took a turn performing on the stage.

"I've been wanting to do it for a while," said Leah Humphrey, a Morris Plains resident and Morristown High School student. "I've been wanting to do it for a while and I've been playing guitar and singing for eight years. It's always been something that's been important to me, and I really wanted to do it."

Humphrey writes original songs, but most often performs covers, and is planning to sing "Slow it Down" by the Lumineers during her slot onstage.

The age range of the acts runs from graying adults to girls as young as 9 years old marching and dancing as part of the Morristown-based Sophisticated Steppers.

"We are a drill team," said team coordinator Sandra Mintor. "We have been drilling in Morristown for 15 years and we are under the umbrella of People Helping People, a nonprofit organization. This is our advanced squad, ranging in age from 9 to 17. We have 40 girls in all."

"We perform at coffees houses, but we saw this as an opportunity to perform in front of a larger audience," said Anastasia, lead singer of Anastasia and the Pit, a quartet of Morristown High School students who play jazz, blues and funk.

Organizers from the Morris Education Foundation spoke during the gathering in the school theater. Some outlined the judging criteria, while others reviewed the details of the show, when and where the acts had to be on Feb. 24 and what they should bring.

"We are so happy to have you in the show this year," said Molly Servais, chair of the show. "We have, as you know, over 70 acts that tried out for the show, and you guys made it. So you should really be proud of yourselves."

One special guest offered encouragement for the performers to make the most of their big showcase.

"A year ago I was right where you guys are sitting," said Alyse Royal, a poet who won last year's adult competition performing as Ally Are. "It spiraled into some amazing things. Someone from the National Society of Arts and Letters was in the audience. I then won an award from the (society) for the same poem I recited then. A dance school owner saw me and so I performed a motivational speaking session with her girls. Now we're doing lyrical movement to my poems together. We're collaborating, which I think is amazing."

She also won a cash prize by topping the Morristown competition in 2015. This years prizes include $1,000 for the winning act in both the 18-and-under and 19-and-older groups, while a Viewers' Choice winner will receive $500. The winner of a new Rising Star award also will receive $250 "to hone their craft," Servais said.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Feb. 1. Prices range from $25 to $75. For information, call MPAC at 973-539-8008 or visit www.mayoarts.org.