JM's Samantha Zarate Rangel named finalist in Triangle Rising Stars theater competition

SILER CITY, N.C. — Samantha Zarate Rangel dazzled audiences last fall when Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical, “In the Heights,” filled the Jordan-Matthews High School stage. And now it appears she dazzled some judges as well.

The junior from Siler City was named one of 10 finalists for Best Actress for her performance as Nina in the annual Triangle Rising Stars musical theater competition.

About 150 students in central and eastern North Carolina were evaluated for individual awards this year before judges trimmed the field to 10 male and 10 female finalists.

Zarate and the other individual finalists will attend a weekend workshop and perform on stage in the Triangle Rising Stars Awards Show on May 15, 7:30 p.m., at the Durham Performing Arts Center. General admission tickets are $10 from the theater or Ticketmaster.com. Fees apply to purchases online.

“Playing the role of Nina was an amazing experience,” Zarate says. “It was definitely a challenge, but I can relate to her so well as I come from a Hispanic household. I am so excited to share this with others on the DPAC stage."

Zarate is no stranger to local audiences. One year before “In the Heights,” she earned acclaim as Hodel in the Jordan-Matthews production of “Fiddler on the Roof,” another role featuring an emotionally charged solo. The honors vocal music student and JMArts Scholar also performed last month with Chatham’s All-County Chorus.

As Jordan-Matthews's choral music teacher and music director for musicals, Matt Fry has high expectations for his student. Still, he was moved every night when Zarate performed that emotional number, her character's mournful tribute to a neighborhood matriarch who had just passed away.

“Samantha made me cry every night when she sang ‘Everything I Know,’” Fry says. “The amount of feeling she put into that song was mesmerizing. I tried not to, but the tears just came."

Zarate, the daughter of Victoria Rangel Lopez and Elias Zarate Amador, is the fifth Jordan-Matthews actor to be selected as a Triangle Rising Stars finalist.

Ashley Griffin was the first, in 2013, for her performance as Fiona McLaren in “Brigadoon.” She was followed by Heath Smith in 2014 for his performance as Daddy Warbucks in “Annie,” Nick Guaraglia in 2015 for his performance as Kenickie in “Grease” and Jasmine Brower last year for her performance as Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof.”

Students from the Triangle and Greensboro regions who performed a qualifying role in their high school musical were eligible for consideration as finalists. Judges attended performances and evaluated video highlights to make their selections.

Triangle Rising Stars is part of the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, a showcase for student performers across the United States. Best Actors and Best Actresses selected from 40 regional competitions receive an all-expenses-paid trip to New York, where they participate in a nine-day intensive workshop with Broadway coaches and accomplished professionals before performing at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway.

“In the Heights” was made possible by significant contributions from JMArts, the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, a nonprofit supporting arts education at Jordan-Matthews High School.

The organization conducts the JMArts Scholars program, offers the New York Arts Adventure and conducts many other projects to enrich the school’s artistic community. More information is available online at jmarts.org.

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Three local students take prizes in first-ever "Sing and Play"

SILER CITY, N.C. — Three local students took prizes home from “Sing and Play,” the new talent competition and benefit for JMArts, the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, that held its debut on February 22 at Jordan-Matthews High School in Siler City.

Audience members voted Kaitlyn Evans of Chatham Charter School as best performance in the elementary division on the strength of her vocal performance of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah."

Edith Soto of Chatham Middle School received the most votes among middle schoolers after singing “Hard Times,” a song made popular by Paramore.

And in the hotly contested high school competition, Corrine Collison of Jordan-Matthews High School came out on top thanks to her vocal performance of Andra Day’s “Rise Up."

Sixteen students, in all, competed for prizes with the winner of each division receiving a $50 award. But everyone enjoyed the appreciation of an enthusiastic audience.

“That may have been the best thing about the entire evening,” said Rose Pate, the event director and president of JMArts. “The audience seemed to love the show and all of the musicians, and I was extremely proud of how all of our contestants performed and supported each other. I can’t wait to see what next year’s competition will bring.”

Pate said she also was impressed by Jordan-Matthews artists who helped staff the show. “A lot of people after the show were talking about how great Orlando Balderas was as the show’s emcee, and I agree completely. There were a lot of others who contributed — as ushers or part of our backstage crew — to make this a student-run event. I couldn’t be prouder.”

"Sing and Play" was organized as a benefit for JMArts. All money raised by the competition will be used by JMArts to provide opportunities for student artists, including its inaugural New York Arts Adventure. That trip scheduled over spring break gives upperclass musicians, actors and visual artists an opportunity to explore one of the world’s great cities, experience the very best in the arts, and gain new perspectives and experiences that will influence their lives and work.

Musicians from Chatham County and beyond were eligible to audition for the showcase concert. While all of this year’s performances were vocal, the competition is open to instrumental musicians as well.

Auditions for next year’s “Sing and Play” will be in January, with the showcase concert in late February. Pate said the arts foundation is looking at options now and dates should be announced in the next month or two.

More information about "Sing and Play," including photos from the auditions and showcase concert, is online at facebook.com/JMHSArts. Details about JMArts and other events scheduled for this season are available at jmarts.org.

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Contestants set for “Sing and Play" musical competition on February 22

SILER CITY, N.C. — Showcase contestants have been selected for “Sing and Play,” the new talent competition set to debut on February 22 at Jordan-Matthews High School in Siler City.

Sixteen student musicians will compete in elementary, middle and high school divisions. The showcase concert highlights local talent and raises money for JMArts, the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, a nonprofit created to provide what student artists need to excel.

Elementary contestants are Kaitlyn Evans, Jessie Griffin, Alyssa Hussey, Skylar Lynn and the duo of Breanna Armstrong and Abigail Steele from Chatham Charter School. Also performing are Zariay Brantley, representing Bonlee Elementary, and Ayana Lupoli-Rojas from Willow Oak Montessori Charter School.

Brenda Morales Zagada and Edith Soto, both from Chatham Middle School, will compete for the middle school prize.

The showcase will conclude with six high school performances. Corrine Collison, Adriana Gonzalez, Dayshone Sanford, Jennifer Trejo-Benitez and Samantha Zarate compete from Jordan-Matthews High School, and Chloe Simmons represents Northwood High School.

“This is going to be an absolutely fantastic show,” said Rose Pate, the event director and president of JMArts. “Even though this is our first year, we had some extremely talented musicians audition and we’re excited that everyone will have a chance to hear their friends and neighbors perform on the big stage."

Though “Sing and Play” is open to both instrumental and vocal acts, all of this year’s performances will be vocal, with students competing for a $50 prize in each age division. All performers appearing in the showcase were selected during auditions and evaluated by judges Greg Burriss and Joey Walden.

Winners will be selected by audience vote during the showcase concert on February 22, at 6:30 p.m., in the Jordan-Matthews Auditorium. General admission is $5 per person and includes one vote in each category.

All money raised by the competition will be used by JMArts for educational projects, including its inaugural New York Arts Adventure. That trip scheduled over spring break gives upperclass musicians, actors and visual artists an opportunity to explore one of the world’s great cities, experience the very best in the arts and gain new perspectives and experiences that will influence their lives and work.

Not only will participants attend several performances at the Metropolitan Opera, Jazz at Lincoln Center and on Broadway, but they will have lunch with Peter Marks, chief theater critic for The Washington Post, and meet with Broadway actors Ari’el Stachel and Etai Benson after “The Band’s Visit” to discuss their performances and other aspects of the hit new musical.

More information about Sing and Play performers is online at facebook.com/JMHSArts. Details about JMArts and other events scheduled for this season are available at jmarts.org.

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