Students compete for stardom

It began with 107, was cut to 24, and now only 10 contestants remain.

Inspired by the… It began with 107, was cut to 24, and now only 10 contestants remain.

Inspired by the Hillel at Indiana University and Hillels in Georgia, the Hillel Jewish University Center of Pittsburgh decided to produce their own “Campus Superstar.” With careful planning since July of 2006, Hillel JUC extended auditions to CMU, Duquesne University, Point Park University and Pitt. Of the four universities, 107 students auditioned, far exceeding expectations, Nancy Polinsky, co-chair of the event, said.

“We just hoped to break 100. When that 100th person walked in, we were thrilled,” Johnson said.

Competing for a $5,000 scholarship, the 24 remaining contestants competed in the semi-finals of the competition, held at the William Pitt Union Sunday evening. Of the students, the largest number, 13, came from CMU. Five students represented Point Park University and two students represented Duquesne. Four of the contestants hailed from Pitt.

“Campus Superstar” did not have Ryan Seacrest as a host, but, David Johnson of Channel 11 news proved to be an entertaining host, getting strong feedback from the audience for his rendition of “Beauty and the Beast” during the break. Along with Johnson, six local performers, casting agents, theater producers, music directors and theater critics judged the event.

“We are looking for the overall package: voice, charisma, sparkle – the overall presentation,” judge and local producer and director Jill Machen said.

Songs from the hit one-act musical “The Last Five Years” seemed to be a popular choice for the performers, as did classics, including Roberta Flack’s “Killing me Softly,” and Gladys Knight ‘ The Pips’ “Midnight Train to Georgia.” Contemporary artists like Kelly Clarkson and Lonestar were also represented in the show.

The audience, as well as the host, expressed their impression of the performances.

“It was incredible,” Johnson said. “All of the universities have such great music departments, and I just knew we were all going to get great performances out of them. It really was impressive.”

Of the 10 finalists, Pitt will be represented by one student, sophomore Alyssa Thatcher. Singing Ella Fitzgerald’s “At Last,” her performance proved enough to place her with the nine other finalists.

“It’s great to be able to have a chance to perform like this. It takes confidence, and it builds character,” Thatcher said. “I am just really excited and honored. For the finals, I will just go back to the songs that I sing in the shower.”

Freshman Patrick Hines of Pitt performed Michael Buble’s “Feeling Good.” Despite not making the final cut, he expressed no regret.

“I just love singing, but I’m not used to performing alone, so it was a challenge,” Hines said. “It was great to hear the others perform so well. I am just honored to have made it this far.”

Six CMU contestants, two Point Park contestants, one Duquesne contestant and Pitt’s Thatcher will compete in the final round held March 29 at the Carnegie Music Hall at 7 p.m. Machen will produce the show, and a full band will be backing up the finalists. Tickets are free to all students with a valid student ID and can be reserved at www.hilleljuc.org.

The finalists are Thatcher of Pitt, Bernard Balbot, Sophia Feldman, Nick Cosgrove, Sam Trussel, Roberta Burke and Jon Michael Reese of CMU, Catherine Gallagher and Kirstie Cook of Point Park and Rob Kurth of Duquesne.