1st ANNUAL MAPSO FAMILY FOLLIES PROMISES OLD-TIMEY TALENT & QUIRKY FUN

“I’ve always thought this town should have a talent show,” said Lara Tomlin, professional artist, to Sally Unsworth, Manager of the Division of Arts & Culture for Maplewood. And before she knew it, the Woodland was booked for the
1st Annual Mapso Family Follies Talent Show on Thursday, November 16th from 7:30-9pm. 

Lara is best known in the community for drawing the Able Baker portraits as well as Director of Programming for the Maplewood Memorial Park Conservancy--responsible for Weeding Wednesdays, the Trash Pandas clean-up crew, and the “Painters in the Park” plein air events. To this she’ll be adding follies co-producer to her credits.  

Tomlin called Tori Chickering, whom she vaguely knew had a producing background in live theater, film, and television. Turns out Chickering’s been producing family follies shows just like this for decades. “This town is brimming with talent,” Lara said. “And I had a feeling Tori would get how fun and quirky a community-wide talent show could be.” “You bet,” was Tori’s response. “Should be a hoot. Let’s get crackin’.” 

They decided the Mapso Family Follies should reflect the character of the community and be low-key and relaxed—definitely not a contest. (Though there will only be room for 15 acts so that the show is of reasonable length.) Auditions will have a panel of local judges voting on the show’s line-up, with priority going to multi-generation acts (ages 9-99). “Our aim is an old-timey talent show,” says Chickering. “No more than 3 minutes per act. I plan to run a tight ship.” A veteran emcee, Chickering says one of her goals—besides encouraging fun—will be to keep the show moving along. 

Auditions will be held on a first come, first served, sign-in-and-wait basis at The Woodland (60 Woodland Rd., Maplewood) Wednesday and Thursday, October 18 &19 from 6-8pm. Auditioners are invited to bring a 1-2 minute sample of a song, juggling, drag, stand-up, bird call, step routine, poetry, yodeling, acoustic/instrument playing, clogging, magic, opera, ribbon dance, tap dance, comedy improv, jazz trio, bird act, dramatic skit, balancing bit, or any other “talent" deemed entertaining. Maplewood, South Orange, and surrounding residents are welcome. No solos. No drum kits or amps--acoustic instruments only. No spiders and/or snakes.

Unsworth is thrilled. “I had immediate interest in The Follies as it touches on exactly what I love about our community: boundless talent and a deep appreciation for whimsical nostalgia. I’m grateful to Tori for her vision and ability to bring this idea to fruition, and to Lara and local artists, Adam Gustavson and Emily Kehe, for their amazing poster art.” Kehe, a renowned creative director, says, “I love being part of such a creative town, so when Lara, an illustrator I’ve admired for many years, asked me to be to be a part of this project, I jumped at the chance.” Renaissance man, Gustavson, didn’t hesitate, either. They are all “giddy” about the show.

In addition to on-stage talent, the Follies team will need backstage peeps and event volunteers. If you’d like to be a part of the crew, please contact Sally: sunsworth@maplewoodnj.gov In time, FAQs will be addressed on the webpage: maplewoodartsandculture.org/follies

MAPSO FAMILY FOLLIES TALENT SHOW – FAQs

Greetings! We’re super happy you found us :)

Audition Guidlines:

·      Performers must be at least 9 years old. (bonus points for multi-generational acts)

·      Your act may not exceed 3 minutes.

·      No solo acts.

·      Please bring a 1-2 minute sample of a song, juggling, drag, stand-up, bird call, step routine, poetry, yodeling, acoustic/instrument playing, clogging, magic, opera, ribbon dance, tap dance, comedy improv, jazz trio, bird act, dramatic skit, balancing bit, or any other “talent" deemed entertaining. 

·      No drum kits or amps, nothing that needs to be plugged in--acoustic instruments only.

·      No spiders and/or snakes. (no joke)

·      Maplewood, South Orange, and surrounding residents are welcome.

How do we audition for The Follies?

First, read the guidelines above, slowly. Then, just show up to The Woodland (60 Woodland Rd., Maplewood) on either Wednesday, October 18th or Thursday, October 19th between 6pm – 8pm. You’ll be asked to sign in, fill out a form, and receive a number. Then you’ll all wait, just like a professional casting call. Bring a snack. Welcome to showbiz.

How serious are you about the above guidelines?

Very.

What if someone in our act is under 18 years of age?

Come on down to audition. If you make the lineup for the show, you’ll be asked for parent/guardian permission.

What should we bring to the audition?

Your winning personality plus a 1-2 min sample of your act, or all 3 minutes (if you’ve got it together and we have time). Bring any props you’ll need. Nothing that needs to be plugged in, please. The show will have to move quickly so set up times between acts will be brief.

How will auditions work?

You’ll be welcomed downstairs at The Woodland (60 Woodland Rd. Maplewood). Then, when your number is called, your act will be brought upstairs to the audition room where a panel of 5 -7 judges (and three show producers) will welcome you again and ask to see your act. Your act will be timed to make sure it’s under 3 minutes, and video recorded to help jog our memories and for promotional purposes later.

May we bring our moms, besties, instructors, etc. into the audition with us?

Sorry. You may not bring non-performers into the audition room. But you’ll be reunited in just a few minutes. (Acts where all performers are under 12 years old may be chaperoned by one adult.)

Who can audition for The Follies?

Anyone 9 years or older, residing in Maplewood, South Orange, or surrounding New Jersey communities. The judges will be especially enthusiastic to see multi-generational acts.

Whose idea was the show?

Lara Tomlin’s

Who’s producing the show?

Tori Chickering and Lara Tomlin

Who the heck are they?

Lara is best known in the community for drawing the Able Baker portraits as well as Director of Programming for the Maplewood Memorial Park Conservancy--responsible for Weeding Wednesdays, the Trash Pandas clean-up crew, and the “Painters in the Park” plein air events. To this she’ll be adding follies co-producer to her credits.

Tori is a long-time producer of film, television, and live shows/events. She’s either performed, directed & choreographed, written for, produced and/or emceed (or a combination thereof) a family follies show—much like this one—for over fifty-years, but who’s counting. She’s also produced and performed shows for her band, Tori Erstwhile & The Montys, serving catchy and witty, original cabaret music.

Who’s putting it on?

Sally Unsworth, director of Maplewood’s Division of Arts & Culture. If you’d like to volunteer or be part of the crew, please contact Sally: sunsworth@maplewoodnj.gov

Who did the poster?

Lara Tomlin art-directed together with Emily Kehe. Adam Gustavson did the artwork.

How do we find out if our act is in the show?

Don’t call us. We’ll call you. If you don’t hear from us within a week—by phone or email—then it means we can’t use you this year, but we hope you’ll audition again next year. (Because we think you’re incredibly brave for trying and are super-impressed you got out there and hope you won’t take it personally because life’s too short and also, life is long.) If you do hear from us, please respond with confirmation that you’re available for both the show, Thursday, November 16th @ 7:30pm, and at dress/tech rehearsal the evening before, Wednesday, November 15th @ 7pm.

What happens next?

Practice amongst yourselves. Be fully prepared for a dress rehearsal/tech runthrough on Wednesday, November 15th @ 7pm – 10pm. The show is Thursday, November 16th @ 7:30pm. You will be asked to check in with the producer by 6:30pm.

How can we help get the word out?

Talk it up with your friends. Post about it on social media. Get on the TikTok machine. We’ll need your help getting butts in seats.

What if our act can’t participate in the show due to health/COVID, family crisis, scheduling issues, etc.?

Please contact Sally Unsworth at sunsworth@maplewoodnj.gov the moment you know your act can’t participate so that we can reach out to other acts to take your place. Do not delay in letting us know.

How will we know the show’s running order of acts?

We’ll email everyone the day of the show.  

Will there be a program or T-shirts?

Not this year. Maybe next.

Will there be a winner?

Nope. It’s not a contest, so relax and have fun!

How much are tickets to the show?

$5.00 (five bucks)

How can I buy tickets?

A link will go live in the coming days. Stay tuned!

What if you’re sold out?

We’ll release a bunch at the door the night of the show.

How long do you expect the show to last?

No longer than 90 minutes, tops.

What if we want to bring little babies and small, hungry/tired children?

You do you. Having said that, if your child is melting down, it would be incredibly courteous to the performers and audience members alike if you would consider taking your little one(s) outside, a few paces away from the venue to ride it out. Yes, you may miss some of the show. Additionally, there are always babysitters.  

How do we volunteer to help out?

If you’d like to volunteer or be part of the crew, please contact Sally Unsworth: sunsworth@maplewoodnj.gov Keep in mind, there are fun jobs and thankless jobs. We’ll be especially grateful if you’re willing to be useful in any way needed. And as always, you can help us out by talking it up with your friends. Posting about it on social media. And getting on the TikTok machine. We’re forever grateful :)

REMEMBER, we think you’re incredibly brave for auditioning and are super-impressed you got out there and tried. We hope you won’t take it personally if your act doesn’t make it in the show this year because there’s always next year and life’s too short, and, also--life is long.