Josh Kaufman, Oferle, Mark Phillips, Jamie Boe, Emmauel Sangar, Hearts Ablaze Clogging Team @ Monument Circle — Indianapolis on November 29, 2014
It’s a tradition unlike any other. More than 100,000 people from all over congregate to Monument Circle to kick off the holiday season in Indiana. Yet as bright as the 4000+ lights shine, there are 5 that shine even brighter.
The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument is one of the most famous landmarks in the city of Indianapolis, and every day after Thanksgiving, it becomes the centerpiece for the biggest holiday celebration in the Hoosier State – better known as the Circle of Lights.
Since 1962, the famous monument has been decorated to resemble the world’s largest Christmas tree. All throughout November, crews from IBEW #481 work tirelessly to deck Monument Circle, utilizing 4782 individual lights, 52 strands of garland, 26 larger-than-life toy soldiers and sailors, 20 artificial tree basins, and 4 lighted wreaths.
Yet amongst all of the glitz and glamour, the excitement of seeing Santa Claus ride down the aisle, flipping the switch, and the fireworks to mark the end of the ceremony, 5 musical acts got the opportunity to shine brighter than any light.
“I don’t have any words,” said Mark Phillips, a 22-year-old music student at Indiana University. “(There’s) so many people out there! Like, I can’t see the end of them. It was so much fun. It’s the best performing experience I’ve ever had in my life so far.”
Phillips, along with family trio Oferle, Emmanuel Sangar, the Hearts Ablaze Clogging Team, and Jamie Boe were the winners of the 2014 Circle of Lights Talent Search. 130 different acts came out to open auditions back in September and October, and out of that field, only 5 would be chosen to perform during the big show, alongside the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra performers, and headliner Josh Kaufman (The Voice season 6 winner).
“This was my third year I auditioned,” said Boe, “and finally got called back and then I made it. So third time’s the charm I guess.”
So what was it like to finally hear her name called?
“I was surprised,” she said. “I’ve performed for a long time. I’ve done a lot of theater, and it was just like you got that big part you were trying for. So it was really exciting.”
Everybody’s Waitin’ For The Man With The Bag
It’s a brisk afternoon in Downtown Indianapolis. The pre-show won’t start until 6:00 p.m. and a quick dress rehearsal is taking place in the hours leading up to it. Some families have already started showing up and staking out spots along the barricade for the best seats on the Circle. The temperature will soon be dropping into the 20s, yet the excitement and anticipation is keeping everyone warm.
In between keeping warm, taking the stage and having the eyes of the state fixated on them, there might have been one thing that was most challenging:
“Probably keeping my mouth shut (about the results for the last month),” said Boe, “but for me, I think that’s probably the hardest thing (laughs).”
A television special that guided viewers throughout the auditions aired on RTV6 just a few nights ago, but winners were announced back in October. For the next month, results had to be kept between the performers and whoever else was in the room when the results were announced, and no one else.
“Definitely keeping quiet was harder,” said Cristy Corwin-Howard, director of Hearts Ablaze. “They (the girls) are used to performing so other than adding extra makeup and curling the hair, we didn’t have too much trouble preparing for a crowd. Typically not 100,000 people, but I thought they did well with the large crowd. However, 12 teenage girls and being quiet doesn’t work well together, but I am proud they kept it pretty hush hush.”
So the stage is set. These 5 acts will share the stage with each other. Until then, it’s tireless practice, preparation, and anticipation for what’s to come on this balmy, cool night.
But for as exciting as it was to hear their names called, the ultimate payoff is yet to come.
Although It’s Been Said Many Times, Many Ways
As the clock ticks closer to 6:00 p.m., each of the performers anxiously waits inside event HQ at the Hilbert Circle Theatre. Some converse amongst each other, while others run through their performances one last time. All the while, workers from Downtown Indianapolis and volunteers do more last-second preparations to ensure the show goes on without a hitch.
The crowd is really starting to assemble outside the walls of event HQ. While maybe a little chilly (many have dressed in layers, with cups of coffee and hot chocolate in hand), there’s no putting a damper on their holiday spirit.
Imagine wall-to-wall people – around 100,000 in total plus 50,000 who watch from home. This is what’s in store for our performers.
“Pretty sure (this is the biggest crowd we’ve ever performed in front of,” said Annette Oferle, who would be taking the stage first along with her brother, Luke, and cousin Jonah Baker. “Without a doubt, yeah.”
By 5:35, event HQ starts to empty out as everyone heads for the stage area. A tent has been set up backstage as a place to spend downtime or escape from the cold for a few moments. There’s a feeling of nervous excitement going on before the pre-show, but more emphasis on the “excitement.”
The Stars Are Brightly Shining
The sun has set, the crowd has effectively filled Monument Circle (others watch from their offices around the area or on an observation deck), and our hosts from RTV6 welcome everyone. The cameras won’t roll for another hour, but for now, everyone will get a taste of what’s to come for the entertainment portion.
Oferle takes the stage first, having the dubious honor of setting the tone for the evening.
“It’s (an) honor,” said Jonah Baker, “and there’s a little bit of pressure ‘cause you’re setting the stage for the whole night. You’re setting the tone, but…overall, you just try not to think about it and you just focus on your performance.”
As for their performance:
“A couple of small things that didn’t go how we thought it would,” said Baker, “but in the end, it ended up (alright).”
“That’s how live shows go though,” said Annette Oferle. “I mean, nothing goes just how you want it to, but you just gotta roll with it.”
And roll with it, they did.
“It was a blast, said Adam. “Yeah, we don’t get to play in front of that many people, and so it was really high energy and…we had a lot of fun.”
They weren’t the only ones who shared that sentiment.
“…My nerves were built up,” said Sangar, “but that was awesome. That was a lot of fun. What a great opportunity.”
One-by-one, each performer got to get their feet wet and take in the atmosphere before shifting their focus to the live televised performance. There may have been a few nerves being felt while backstage waiting for their turn, but it’s a very positive environment. Eager performers watch from the side – some with phones in hand taking pictures and recording things from their perspective. When one exits stage left, it’s a sigh of relief, followed by elation from having gotten through such big performance, along with congratulations and support from their peers.
“The girls had an amazing time,” said Corwin-Howard, “and the other acts were so friendly and fun to hang out with in the tent and during practices leading up to the big night.”
Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree
Each act has had their chance to perform, and now it’s time for the live televised show. Along with getting the chance to perform in front of another set of eyes – an estimated 50,000 viewers watching the live broadcast from their homes – the capacity crowd gets another treat: a rendition of “Let It Go” by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra performers, and Indianapolis’ own Josh Kaufman.
“Being able to play with Josh Kaufman is such an honor,” said Baker. “I watched him on The Voice and just being such a quality musician that he is, it’s really an honor to open or close or whatever for him.”
In the meantime, camera crews and our hosts interact with members of the crowd, who can be seen waving to the camera. There’s even a sing-along of “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” There are approximately 100,000 people in attendance, and that mixed with what each of our performers are feeling as they wait their turn to perform for one last time makes for a very excitable evening, even by typical Circle of Lights standards. There may be a few minor hiccups here and there, but for the most part, there are plenty of good vibes and holiday cheer being spread around the Downtown Indianapolis area.
After they leave the stage for the second time, there’s a feeling of accomplishment, satisfaction, and yes, a huge sigh of relief having performed in front of one of the biggest crowds they’ve ever seen.
“Yes, now I can really enjoy it,” joked Boe as she walked off the stage.
But what was it like for a director?
“I have never been more proud of them,” said Corwin-Howard of her dancers. “They are an eclectic group of 12 girls that range in age from 10-19 years old from all over Hancock County and different schools. The way they bond together like a family of sisters is amazing to me. They truly are the best of friends. Being their director is one of the biggest blessings in my life. I loved being able to watch from the sidelines and see them shine.”
Once they’ve finished and have had time to relax, there are plenty of hugs and selfies being shared amongst each other. The night may soon be coming to a close, but they’ll all have this moment to cherish for years to come.
Oferle opened the festivities tonight, so it’s only fitting that they close out the show. As they exit the stage, Mayor Greg Ballard enters with Gabrielle Allen, the winner of this year’s coloring contest. For her efforts, she gets to flip the switch that will light up Monument Circle for all to enjoy this holiday season.
But we seem to be missing someone. A certain “man with the bag” that goes by a variety of different names. Now where could he be?
Everyone’s attention quickly turns towards a center aisle, where Santa Claus rides into town on an IndyCar while “Santa Claus is Coming To Town” is being performed in the background. Jolly Old Saint Nick greets the capacity audience before congratulating Ms. Allen and moving over to the “switch.” The crowd counts down from 10 (numbers are being displayed on the IPL Building in front of the stage). One slight mishap aside, and the 284-foot monument has become the largest Christmas trees in the world. The crowd cheers, each of our performers comes back on stage, and fireworks are set off in the distance.
From there, the show ends. Many make their way to some of the surrounding restaurants or coffee places for a warm beverage, some head to Georgia Street to take pictures with Santa, while others head back to their vehicles. As for our talent search winners, they head back to event HQ or meet up with their families. Crews are now working to strike the stage and remove the barricades surrounding the area.
A lot of work went into creating the Circle of Lights, and amidst all the nerves and stress that went on behind the scenes, one thing is for certain: the holiday season is in full swing here in Indianapolis.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
The lights and the decorations will remain on Monument Circle until early January. After that, the lights, the wreaths, and the toy soldiers will be packed away until next year, and our famous monument will be restored to its normal state.
The holiday season will come and go, and soon it may become one distant memory, but one thing will last forever:
The experience.
The hard work it took to get to this point, the countless hours spent rehearsing and fine-tuning their performances, the friendships made, the laughs shared, and the rush of performing in front of over 100,000 people on a live television broadcast.
“…I’m one of only five people who were chosen from Indiana,” said Phillips, “and so there’s already…an expectation of some sort of quality. I have to meet that. So maybe performing (is harder). It’s really scary, but the payoff in the end is amazing.”
The night may be over, but for each of the five acts, it will never truly end.
“(It was )Wonderful,” said Boe. “This was a fantastic experience.”
Happy Holidays from all of us here at concART.net!