By Robyn Smith
Some might call it the chance of a lifetime. Others might see it as a shoo-in for any future Signature shows. No matter how they look at it, it’s going to be entertaining to watch.
As part of its open house, Signature Theatre will host the newly named Signature Voice competition, replacing the Signature Idol competition that began five years ago. Featuring four contestants and three well-known judges, the competition will be open and free to the public.
Last year’s Idol winner, local actress Jade Jones, became an understudy for Signature’s production of “Elmer Gantry” as a direct result of her performance in the competition. She’s currently in Keegan Theatre’s “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.”
The contestants had to submit a video by July 24 and were chosen to participate by a creative team. The three judges who will choose the winner are Signature’s artistic director, Eric Schaeffer, NBC Washington news anchor Wendy Rieger and Nova Payton, a local actress and vocal coach who won a Helen Hayes Award for her portrayal of MotorMouth Mabel in Signature’s production of “Hairspray.”
Payton, who runs Yashim Studios, a musical theater troupe for children, and teaches several master classes at Signature, is judging the competition for the first time. As for which judge on the long-running show “American Idol” she relates to the most, that would be Simon Cowell.
“I’m not as rude as Simon; I know how to cater my comments with love,” Payton says. “I don’t want anyone to be embarrassed. I don’t want people to go out and think they have something that they don’t have.”
While her “babies” at Yashim are too young to audition, she encourages all to apply. The two most powerful tools someone can have on stage according to Payton? Confidence and comfortability.
For anyone who’s always wanted to see a singing competition live, this might be the perfect opportunity. Signature’s Open House began in 2009 as a way to show off its new Shirlington location and became an annual event.
Signature Theatre’s Open House
Aug. 2, noon-8:30 p.m.
The Village at Shirlington: 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington
Free
