Pioneer Theatre Guild’s FutureStars 2024 returns for its 22nd year at the newly renovated Schreiber Auditorium at Pioneer High School. A citywide talent search for Ann Arbor’s next star, FutureStars showcases students from Ann Arbor’s public high schools as they perform popular songs by various artists and compete for the title of FutureStar 2024!
Students are guided by professional coaches who assist them in learning their songs and preparing for their performances on the big stage. Pioneer senior, Teddy Tolbert, was part of the winning duet last year, singing “Fall in Line” by Christina Aguilera and Demi Lovato alongside senior Lucy Dineen. She describes her experience last year as “surreal”. She explains, “I would come to FutureStars every year when I was younger and completely idolize everyone. I remember being so excited to be up there myself so to get to do that and then end up winning was one of the coolest and most full circle moments of my life.” Tolbert has been singing rock music in a band since she was little, but also loves ballads, which is perfect because this year she is singing Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” She is excited for FutureStars because, “there’s really nothing like it in Ann Arbor or even the state that I’ve heard of. It is really special because it brings out voices that may not be heard otherwise. People who love to perform but don’t love musicals get to have a creative outlet. It is just a really great night of entertainment and allows people a different kind of musical experience than we’re all used to!”
Washtenaw International High School senior Zain Rahim is thrilled to be singing “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars at FutureStars this year. “I wasn’t sure what a perfect song for me would be, but I think the song I’m singing is as close to perfect as you could get! I’m excited to play into soulful moments and put my own spin on the song.” He is also excited to see all his peers’ performances. “Every year I am in awe — like I think almost everyone who comes out to see FutureStars is — at the amount of talent that is on showcase on the stage from kids 16, or 17 years old.” Rahim writes his own music and loves to jam out with piano or guitar, and is looking forward to bringing that love to the stage!
Pioneer senior Eliana Adler will be taking the stage this year to sing “Basket Case” by Sara Bareilles. “I am so excited – Sara Bareilles is one of my favorite artists, so getting to perform one of her songs is going to be really fun.” Adler loves the energy FutureStars brings, both to the cast and the audience, and is thrilled to be returning to it. “It’s really exciting to be up there performing, both with friends and in front of all of our friends in the audience. It’s always a huge crowd and there is such amazing energy – it is truly a unique experience, especially for highschoolers.” She is grateful for the help of the creative team in creating such an amazing show. “They arrange the music, come up with choreography for us, and really make us look our best on the stage. She also sings in the Pioneer Choirs and arranges music for her a cappella group, Sha Bop Shoppe.
The event also features two medley performances by the RisingStars, a show-choir-type group that features the many talents of the underclassmen. Students also serve as the hosts for the evening – they work together to write the script and MC the show.
The evening’s performances are judged by a panel of judges. The judges select the top five performances and then the audience ultimately crowns the winner of FutureStars based on crowd noise. Judges for FutureStars 2024 TBA!
Show Date: Saturday, February 10th at 7:00pm
Location: Schreiber Auditorium, Pioneer High School (601 West Stadium Boulevard)
Reserved Seating Tickets on sale now: https://www.showtix4u.com/events/ptg
Tickets: $20
Historically, FutureStars tickets sell out so advance purchase is encouraged. If there are tickets available, the box office will be open one hour prior to the performance for cash and check sales.
For more information about PTG, visit https://a2ptguild.org
