The next generation of talent in Butler
A quintet of dancers performed a modern choreographed piece on stage, which would be compared to performances by singers and even a puppeteer reciting Shakespeare on Friday evening, Feb. 7.
Friday was the inaugural Butler’s Got Talent show, an event by Butler Musical Theatre Guild at Butler Little Theatre.
Eight performers and groups showed off their talents — which included dance, singing and puppetry — to an audience and three judges in an attempt to win the audience favorite award, or the judges’ choice award — which both came with a $250 prize.
The event was a fundraiser for the MTG, but also a chance for people in the area to demonstrate their talents for an audience.
“Since it’s our first time, we were like, ‘Anything goes.’ Any talent, any age — they don’t have to be from Butler County,” said Jessica Sanzotti, a member of Musical Theatre Guild’s fundraising committee. “We have a nice variety.”
The winner of the audience choice award was the Triple Threats, a youth performance group from Butler, which performed “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” from the musical “Annie.” The winner of the judges’ choice award was Butler native Lindsay Liebro, who sang and played guitar to an original song, “Astrology.”
The three judge panel was made up of Jordan Grady, Butler County Chamber of Commerce president; Sarah Bishop, a Butler native who performs and has a performance company in New York City; and Tom Panei, a Butler visual and musical artist.
After each performance, the judges gave some feedback on the performance before finally deliberating on their choice for winner once all the performances were over.
The judges each said they were impressed with every act of the night. Each feedback session was full of supportive words from each judge.
“I am amazed at the level of talent we have in the next generation,” Grady said.
