Student Talent Showcase a Big Hit

Due to a snow postponement, students had two extra months to fine tune their performances for Saturday night's Hampton Bays Got Talent show. Although the turn-out was lighter than expected, what the audience lacked in size they more than made up for in enthusiasm. With thunderous applause the crowd cheered on the 29 featured acts, which included a wide variety of singers, dancers and musicians.

Organized by Music Idol Entertainment, the high school auditorium's stage was transformed into an American Idol-like venue featuring a wall of big screen TVs and sound system.  Before the show opened, parents and students packed the lobby, ready to cheer on their favorite performer. 

Back stage the young entertainers gathered together and chatted nervously about their upcoming numbers.  Whether anxiously adjusting their costumes, fixing each other's hair or reviewing song lyrics, backstage buzzed with the student's energy.

"I'm a little nervous," said Deborah Carlin, a senior at Hampton Bays High School, “We are opening the show with 'For Good' from the play Wicked and we've been rushing to get ready for tonight."

High school senior Conner Press, the night's MC,  bravely graced the stage without a script and simply relied on his comedic timing to keep the show moving along. 

"I have an outline of the night's performances, but I am just going to wing it," said Press, who often quipped with audience between performances.  "It’s not natural to read off of a script. I do better this way," he added. Having announced for faculty volleyball games and acted in school plays, it was clear Press was confident in front of a large audience. 

Keeping busy behind the curtain, high school administrator Kathleen Young acted as the event's stage manager and offered last minute support as the students approached the stage. "My assignment for the night is to make sure the kids get out on stage at the right time,” said Young,” but I have also been pretty good at calming nerves. We have such a great group of kids-they are all very talented. "

At its inception, students decided that Hampton Bays Got Talent would not be a talent competition with a winner, but rather an event which would showcase their talents. By removing the element of competition, the mood backstage among the acts was friendly and very supportive

"The attendance wasn't as high as it could have been, but we still had a strong turnout," said Helen Fotopoulos, the show's co-advisor. “It’s a culmination of months of work, but it’s a great event so it’s all worth it. The students and parents love it!" she added. 

After her singing solo, fifth-grader Lindsey Dunn readied herself backstage for her second act of the night. Not only did the pint-sized entertainer belt out a ballad early in the show, but later on was joined by her sister for a high energy dance routine. “I couldn't see anything on stage," said Dunn," but I could hear the people clapping."