Greetings! We’re super happy you found us!

9/23/26 Audition Guidelines (the show is 10/22/26):

• 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 area residents are welcome. 

How serious are you about the above guidelines?

Very.

How do we audition for The Follies?

First, read the guidelines above, slowly. Then, just show up to Columbia High School (17 Parker Ave., Maplewood) on Wednesday, September 23rd between 6pm – 8pm.

What if I can’t make it that night, but I want to audition?

If you can’t make our in-person auditions, you’ll get the chance to submit your under-3-minute act online by Wednesday, September 30th at 12 midnight. (Submission link to come)

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.

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

Each performer under 18 years of age must bring a parent/guardian to the audition to co-sign permission/consent to be in the show, and, to have their likeness/voice/etc. photographed/recorded for public access on all media outlet formats, now and forever and ever, amen, for the purposes of promoting and archiving this and future MAPSO Family Follies shows.

How will auditions work?

You’ll be welcomed outside of Columbia High School and will enter through to the auditorium. Then, when your number is called, your act will be brought on the stage where a panel of 3 judges (and show producers) will welcome you and ask to see your act. We’ll time your act to make sure it’s under 3 minutes, and record a little video and take pics for promotional purposes later. 

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

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. The judges will be especially enthusiastic to see multi-cultural and multi-generational acts.

Whose idea was the show?

Lara Tomlin’s

Who’s producing and directing the show?

Tori Chickering (Director/Co-producer) & Katy Chapman (Co-producer). 

Who the heck are they?

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. This will be her third year co-producing and directing the MAPSO Family Follies Talent Show.

Katy is a seasoned marketer and exuberant fan of the Follies and its community mission of inclusive multi-generational creativity, charm, and delight. She has supported and appeared in numerous productions of the Panto at the Burgdorff Theater and was part of the hilarious and zany "Birdhouse in Your Soul" act for last year’s Follies.

Lara has since moved away, but she was best known in the community for having drawn the Able Baker portraits as well as having been the Director of Programming for the Maplewood Memorial Park Conservancy--responsible for Weeding Wednesdays, Trash Pandas, and “Painters in the Park”.

Who’s putting it on?

The Division of Arts & Culture of the Township of Maplewood and Columbia High School.

Who did the poster?

Craig Stout

Who are the judges?

TBD

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

Don’t call us. We’ll call you—or most likely email. If we can’t use you this year, 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 on Thursday, October 22nd, from 7:30 - 9pm, and the dress/tech rehearsal on the evening of Wednesday, October 21st, from 6 - 8pm.

What happens after that?

Practice amongst yourselves. Be fully prepared for a dress rehearsal/tech run-through on Wednesday, October 21st sometime between 6 - 8pm. The show is Thursday, October 22nd at 7:30pm. You will be asked to check in with the producer by 6:30pm. The show ends promptly at 9pm.

How can we help get the word out?

Word of mouth, post on socials, all of it. 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 our talent wrangler the moment you know your act can’t participate so 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?

Yes to a program. No t-shirts, yet.

Will there be a winner?

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

How do I buy tickets to the show?

There will be a link to buy tickets and they will be cheap. No more than $10 each.

What if you’re sold out?

We’ll release a bunch at the door the night of the show, so come on down!

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 Tori Chickering: at tori.oconnell@gmail.com. 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 and on social media. We’re forever grateful :)

REMEMBER, we think you’re incredibly brave for auditioning and are super-impressed you got out there. 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 :)

Yours in Folly,

Tori Chickering & Team Follies