For the city of Indianapolis, perhaps no time of year is greater than the annual kickoff to the holiday season, better known to the masses as the Circle of Lights. Each year, over 100 thousand Hoosiers from all over gather around Monument Circle to see the lighting of the world’s largest man-made Christmas tree. It’s an event that not only brings families and loved ones together, but it’s also a symbol that the holiday season has arrived.
But before the fireworks go off, before the winner of the coloring contest flips the switch, before the crews at IBEW can even string the lights from the memorial, there comes the task of trying to find the entertainment.
And what better way to do that than a talent search?
Once again, Indianapolis Downtown, Inc, IBEW 481, Quality Connections and RTV6 held the Circle of Lights Talent Search, an audition open to anyone in the public who thinks they have what it takes to be a part of this year’s show.
“We love the Circle of Lights,” said Kim Roudebush, who came out with the Indianapolis Syrens Dance Team. “We love it, so we really want to try to be a part of it this year, and we’re just hoping and praying we will.”
Auditions were held over the course of two days. While the first night at IBEW 481 drew a respectable 58 people on a Wednesday afternoon, the second day – held at the Electrical Training Institute Saturday, October 5 – proved to be a much busier day, with over 100 participants turning out to give it a shot.
It’s a cool and rainy morning in Indianapolis, with the mood indoors working in inverse proportion to what’s going on outside. While the rain came down to make for a miserable day outside, there was a mixture of excitement, nervousness, anxiety and everything else in between going on inside.
“This is the first time I have auditioned for anything in probably 15 years,” said Paul Parnell, who performed an original song. “So yeah, it’s a little nerve-wracking.”
And this is coming from someone who regularly holds auditions himself.
“They’ve turned it on me this time,” he said.
Some almost let the stress get to them.
“I was so worried I was gonna forget the words (to my song),” said Carrie Walker, a soloist looking to make a name for herself.
But through all the stress and the fear, there is one emotion that trumped all of that:
“The atmosphere in there is so positive and happy and all about Christmas,” said Roudebush, “so I think we did the best we could and tried to bring it today.”
Auditions were set to begin around 9:00 a.m., but some people were arriving some time before to ensure they got a good spot. Much like the first day, everything was done on a “first come, first served” basis. Each performer would sign in and receive a number. When their number is called, they would step in front of the lights, the cameras, their peers, and of course, the panel of judges that would be deciding their fate later on. A strict two-minute time limit is enforced, and when they finished, they would exit and the next one would get their chance to shine.
Because of the high volume of participants who turned out this year, those waiting their turn could barely fit inside the room where all the action was taking place. While some were able to find chairs, others gathered around the doorway to try to catch a glimpse of what was going on. Some people were forced to wait in the hallway, where a few of the performers were taken to conduct interviews with the television crews shooting footage for a one-hour special chronicling the entire process.
How busy was it? By 9:30, there was already a three-hour waiting period. So what do you do during that time?
“You know, that is the million dollar question honestly,” said Ross Theo Rebennack,” a returning soloist looking to improve on his last outing, “because that was a really long time.”
Of course, there was one silver lining in there.
“I mean…it’s a good thing that there are performers going (on) every minute,” he said, “just because that gives you something to watch and listen to at least, but I mean, after a while of just sitting there…you’re getting antsy and you’re like ‘I need to do this now. I need to get this over with (laughs). I need to sing.’”
Some people decided to leave and run errands for a few moments while the waited. Those who decided to stay saw it as an opportunity to get one last run-through in.
“(The wait) Gave us time to practice though,” said Roudebush. “We’re good (laughs). The more practice time we can get. You can never practice too much, and I bet everybody in here would say that.”
Then there are other reasons for wanting to stay.
“Those seats are pretty comfortable,” joked Rebennack. “They’re a lot better than standing. So…it was leave and maybe get some food, or give up your seat. So we chose to keep the seats (laughs).”
The wait is almost unbearable to some. There were even a few of the performers constantly asking what number they were currently on to the staff. While maybe not great for their respective stress levels, their time would come soon enough.
Initially scheduled to go on until noon, they make a point to get everyone who signed up a chance to perform. So for nearly 6 straight hours, everyone from soloists to ensembles to dance groups to skits and even a gymnast who moved the action outdoors for a few minutes, gave it their all.
“I just really like to sing,” said Walker. “I sing at my church, and I just need to get myself out there (laughs), ‘cause I really like to sing and I’d really like to do it, as even like a part-time thing, but…I’m really shy about it.”
While many saw it as an opportunity to get their names out there, others had slightly different aspirations.
“I love to sing,” said Rebennack, “and I had a great time last year doing it, and I was like “that was awesome, but now I want to go further. I want to be on the Circle on the day (after) Thanksgiving.”
As for what it would be like to get that callback?
“I would feel really good,” said Walker. “It would kind of validate that I am as good as people tell me I guess (laughs). I know that not everybody can get call backs and I understand that I’ve heard a lot of really good people so I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t call me back, but…it would just give me…a little more confidence I guess.”
To put it another way:
“It’d be a great feeling,” said Rebennack, “because I know…every year, the competition gets tougher and tougher. They’ve got more auditioners every year, so I don’t ever assume anything with this because there’s a lot of great talent in there today that I saw. So…if I get an email or a call back to move on to the next round, it’s gonna be a dream come true.”
A dream come true; An opportunity to perform in front of a live audience of 100,000 people, plus those who are watching it on television, a chance to be a part of a tradition over 50 years in the making. It’s one of those moments that can best be described as the experience of a lifetime.
“We’re just really happy to be here,” said Roudebush, “and we just hope we get picked.”
By 2:37 p.m., the once-packed room now seems as quiet as a mouse. The judges – having endured close to six straight hours of auditions – now have the unenviable task of going through every performance and choosing the finalists. Meanwhile, the television crews pack away their equipment, organizers breathe a huge sigh of relief, and what few performers who stuck around head towards the parking lot, anxiously awaiting their fate.
In total, 166 people turned out over the two days, but only a handful will receive a callback and the chance to earn the opportunity to perform at this year’s ceremonies.
The Circle of Lights draws nearer, and as we get closer to the day, we’ll see that holiday spirit everywhere, and of course, those “olden times and ancient rhymes of love and dreams to share.”
Circle of Lights Talent Search will air Tuesday, November 26 on RTV6, when an encore presentation Thanksgiving Night. Check your local listings.