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CANTON – On Saturday evening, Jan. 21, Canton students showcased some amazing talent to a full house at the first “Warriors Got Talent” show, held at the Rialto Theatre.

Randy Frye, Director of Choirs and Drama, and also a member of the Rialto Advisory Committee, along with the Manager of the Rialto, Bridget Callahan, began planning this spectacular event a few months ago. It was derived as a way for students to be able to perform their talents in front of a live audience, while also providing an opportunity for the public to make donations to assist the Rialto with their various ongoing operating costs.

Frye was the Master of Ceremonies and opened the event with thanking everyone for coming. He advised the stage crew will be setting up and getting the stage ready for the upcoming next performance, between the different acts. During which music was played in between the acts for everyone’s enjoyment.

Frye introduced Callahan, who was the lead producer in assisting him with putting this event together. Callahan wanted to tell the audience and performers, “thank you everybody for coming out, this is amazing, we never expected this type of response our first year out, so thank you everybody.” Frye then acknowledged Karen Mariano, the Elementary Music Director for helping with the elementary school students and getting them signed-up and their music, etc. He also wanted to give a special thank you to all of the Sponsors listed in the program booklet and requested everyone thank them when visiting their business or seeing the individuals for their generosity. In addition, he thanked the Rialto Advisory Committee and the Board for their support and assistance. Finally, he introduced the four Judges for ranking the performers, Brenda Holland (CASD Drama Asst. Director and Community Theatre), Dr. Amy Martell (CASD Superintendent), Mike Wells (Canton Elementary School Principal) and David Loomis (Canton School Psychologist). They will choose the first and second place winners who will each receive a prize basket, along with a runner-up winner will receive a Certificate and a large popcorn, for each age group bracket. Also, superlative prizes that were applicable, out of all the contestants of the evening event, like most dramatic or best overall group performance, etc. were given out at the end of the event. In addition, all performers were be given a complimentary ticket to come back to the Rialto to see any movie of their choice.

Frye provided the students with instructions with regard to the process of the talent show before it began. He said to the students, “thank you for stepping outside your comfort zones and coming out and doing this.” Mary Beth Schoonover encouraged the students by saying, “Good luck everyone, break a leg”. Mariano advised the performers, “be very proud of yourself for stepping up to do this.” “Show support for each other, you are all doing an amazing job”, Callahan stated to the performers. Frye advised the group, “if you make a mistake, keep going, no one will ever know.”

After Frye had completed his instructions to the students with regard to the process of the talent show, students were asked who would like to provide some background on their specific performance they were going to do for the talent show and if they had any comments for the newspaper. There was overwhelming interest from the students to be interviewed. Before the evening’s talent show even got underway, Lee Preston and Emersyn Preston, gave a little pre-show, dance off, with Lee Preston handing it off to Emersyn Preston, as the ‘winner’. Although they both were excellent at demonstrating their talents, along with some unexpected moves and used the stage area quite well.
The show began with the first age group bracket, consisting of students in First Grade through Fifth Grade. The first performer was Aaralinn Boggs, a fifth grader, who played the piano very well. The second performer was Bryson Ackley, also a fifth grader, who sang “Sunroof”. Next, Emersyn Preston, a second grader, performed some. gymnastic maneuvers and cheer moves to the “Fight Song”. Then, a trio of fourth graders, consisting of Brooklyn Burger, Abigail Twist and Hadley Wilbur, sang “Be a Chief (The Chief Song). Elle Shedden was a fourth grade student who demonstrated and gave verbal instruction on how to draw ‘Pokeman’. Last, but definitely not least, first grader, Ike Preston, played “Morning Prayer” on the piano, with some accompaniment from Frye.Frye had also presented a beautiful bouquet of flowers during the event to Mariano, to show his appreciation for all of her assistance with the talent show.

Frye also acknowledged and thanked Chris Boggs for operating the sound system for the show. Dave Preston was one of the stage crew that assisted with the microphone placement for each performer and Brian Greenough was video taping the event live on the Rialto’s facebook page.