While most people aren't looking ahead much more than the upcoming holidays, the Niles McKinley High School drama club is looking at the opening of its annual season beginning with its talent show in January.
''We have amazing singers and dancers,'' said assistant director Sherry Courim. ''There is a lot of talent this year.''
The first half of the ''Niles' Got Talent' show will consist of competitive acts that include everything from singing to dancing to comedy routines, Courim said.
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The Niles Times / Kathleen Evanoff
Savanna Bowman, 17, left and Alex Lucas, 17, returned to the call-back audition where they read for roles in the upcoming musical ‘‘Annie’’ to be performed by the Niles McKinley High School’s drama club in April. Auditions were held Nov. 15 and 16 and call-backs were Thursday for roles in the musical. The drama club will kick off its season with its annual talent show to be held Jan. 29 in the high school auditorium.
''We have one student who makes animal noises and she sounds exactly like the animals,'' she said.
The second half of the talent show will be non-competitive acts that will entertain the audience while the votes are counted.
The talent show will be held Jan. 29 at the high school auditorium. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door.
In addition to the talent show, students have been auditioning for the drama club's annual musical. This year's presentation will be ''Annie.''
''The students request this play so much that we have to do it every few years,'' Courim said.
Auditions for Annie were held early last week with call-back auditions on Thursday. Potential actors were separated into groups where they read a scene from the play.
The production will be directed by Susan Bowman. Courim is assistant director and Jim Courim is the sound technician. The dancing will be choreographed by Christina Hovaneck and Kathy Megert.
Cast list for the production of ''Annie'' was announced Monday. The cast list for the orphans is: Annie Elizabeth Hess (Cari Hosey as understudy); Pepper Rachel Mientkiewicz; Duffy Julianna Johnson; July Danelle Cochran; Kate: Casey Neal; Molly Athena Cook; Tessie Angelisa Beltran; Peggy Gabrielle Chaffin; Sophie Dentine' McKinney; Mary Jamie Longacre; Dottie Cailin Karpinski; and Emma Niccole White.
The adult cast list includes: Oliver Warbucks Chris Pack; Grace Farrell Savanna Bowman (Julianna Johnson as understudy); Drake Branton Henry; Mrs. Hannigan Gina DeSimone; Rooster Alex Lucas; Lily St. Regis Cari Hosey (Jessica Markowitz as understudy).
In addition to the main characters, Shawn Crowley will portray Franklin D. Roosevelt and Chasidy Melius will portray Eleanor Roosevelt.