The years of training are finally paying off. After years of putting practice before play, this talented group is getting their time to shine. No, we're not talking about Olympic athletes, but the charismatic bunch of performers who make up the cast of Jubilee! 2008.
The youth performing arts showcase, which Artistic Director Diane Borgman estimates is in its 19th year, will be at 7 p.m. Friday at the Mariner Theatre. Tickets are $15 general admission, $10 for Homer Council on the Arts members and $8 for youth and are available at Homer Council on the Arts, Etude Music Studio and the Homer Bookstore.
Even most hard-to-please artistic palettes will find something to appreciate in Friday's show. Borgman said the 20 performances cover all the performing arts bases, including vocal performances, dances, skits and even an acrobatic troupe. Students range from kindergarten to high school age and have varying levels of experience, but Borgman said they all maintain a level of professionalism.
"The whole focus was for it to be a celebration, not a competition, but that it be professional. It's not a talent show. There's a big difference," Borgman said.
Would-be stars braved an audition in front of local judges before being selected for the show. Performers were judged in five areas: quality of performance, stage presence, age and developmental appropriateness of material, balance and variety within the show and appropriateness for a family audience. Borgman said the judges initially saw 26 different acts.
"Sometimes it's just a matter of balancing the show and keeping it within a reasonable time. (Just because they weren't selected) doesn't mean they didn't do a great job. I just think for the most part we were just amazed at the quality of the auditions," Borgman said.
The showcase is part of a month-long, community-wide celebration of student art, which also includes exhibits of visual art on display in local galleries, businesses and schools. Borgman said the event was created initially to be one of the first venues for youth performers in Homer.
"One of the reasons we started (is) there were very few opportunities for kids to perform," Borgman said.
Though she said students have many more outlets for their talent these days, Jubilee gives them something to aim for.
"Jubilee sort of remains the premiere showcase," she said.
Jubilee also provides financial assistance to some aspiring artists. The event is a fund-raiser for the Homer Council on the Arts Summer Youth Scholarship program, which awards money to help students participate in summer arts programs. Previous recipients have taken private lessons or attended Pier One Youth Theatre, Sitka Fine Arts Camp, Fairbanks Fine Arts Camp and Interlochen Summer Arts Camp in Interlochen, Mich.
Ticket sales from the performance, a raffle and a bake sale will help to boost scholarships this year. Additional money for the fund comes from performances by the Jazzline Dancers and from private donors.
Borgman said the recipients of this year's awards, some of whom will be performing Friday night, have already been selected and will be announced at the performance.
But Jubilee doesn't just benefit students financially, Borgman said.
"It helps students to develop self-confidence and poise and it models for other kids in the audience who might be thinking about whether or not they want to take lessons or get involved. It provides a target: 'If I practice, I can be at that level,'" she said.
"Really the focus is on kids, and that kids get a chance to shine. I just think it's going to be a great show."
