Special people with special talents headed to Naperville
Since the creation of the Special Olympics in 1968, people with disabilities have had a showcase for their athletic talents. But a group of local advocates have long believed that a similar venue, for those with other talents, was missing.
In 2007, a few Western DuPage Special Recreation Association members working in a cramped studio gave birth to Special Talents America. One show and five years later, producers Jorie Meyer and Greg Bizzaro are bringing the show back to Naperville and opening it up to contestants from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.
"Just working in special needs world we have so much for athletes but nothing for them in the performing arts," Meyer said. "This talent showcase gives them a nonthreatening environment with a supportive live audience."
The show will be hosted Nov. 5 at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall but the deadline for audition video submissions is July 27.
"I have four audition tapes in and I know of 10 others that are coming but I need a lot more," said Meyer a program director at WDSRA. "We want to encourage talented people with disabilities who live in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, or Wisconsin to visit our website and consider entering this exciting, unique competition."
Staff members will review each submission and narrow the field to 15 semifinalists based on performance mastery, ability to engage the audience, use of props if necessary, confidence in front of a camera and costume/appearance. The top 15 contestants will be invited to audition live in front of three judges from Special Talents America.
Eight finalists will perform at the Nov. 5, 2012 competition, which will be held at Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center on the campus of North Central College. Finalists will perform on the main stage before a live audience. Celebrity guests and judges will also be part of the event.
Bizzaro, co-executive producer of the show, said contestants will display a variety of talents, including singing, acting and playing the piano. An audition tape has also been received from a harp player who is both blind and has cerebral palsy.
"This harp player has amazing talents despite two disabilities and nowhere else would she be able to let everyone know how great she is and feel that pride," Bizzaro said. "The feeling of accomplishment this contestants leave with will bring a tear to your eye."
Lisa McClowry, International Vocalist of the Year nominee, will emcee the program and perform two of her recordings, "New Hallelujah" and "Come Dancing." Guest performer Fergie Frederiksen of Toto and Trillion fame will perform "Follow Your Heart" and "Rosanna." The names of other celebrity judges and guest performers will be announced at a later date.
The website, specialtalents.org, has instructions on how to submit audition information and audiovisual materials. It also includes video clips from a statewide competition the group hosted in 2010. The site also details sponsorship information.