DREAMS +
After young stars win big in local performance competitions, what comes next?
By Meghan Walsh
Y
oung performers often dream of lives on the big stage or the big screen, working diligently toward futures in which they will have the luxury of making livings doing what they love most. Many have goals of gaining exposure within the communities of their crafts, and continuously seek paths by which they can move toward these ambitions. One of the ways for them to gain experience and get their names and talents known is by entering performance competitions. Northeast Ohio is home to several such competitions. A few of them are the Dazzle Awards through Playhouse Square in Cleveland, the Cleveland International Piano Competition through Piano Cleveland in Shaker Heights, and Shining Star CLE, put on by Menorah Park in Beachwood. Three performers whose lives have been enhanced by these experiences are J.R. Heckman, a three-time Dazzle Award recipient for best actor in 2016, 2018 and 2019; Yaron Kohlberg, 2007 second-place winner of the Cleveland International Piano Competition; and Calista Zajac, first-place winner of Shining Star CLE in 2021. They reflect on their experiences, what they learned and what’s next for them.
J.R. Heckman accepts the 2018 Dazzle Award for best actor. Photo courtesy of Heckman and Playhouse Square
32 | Canvas | Fall 2022
NURTURING TALENT Heckman, now 21, received Dazzle Awards for his portrayals of Donkey in “Shrek the Musical” during his freshman year in 2016, Archibald Craven in “The Secret Garden” during his junior year in 2018, and the Beast in “Beauty and the Beast” during his senior year in 2019 – all of which were presented by the drama club at his alma mater, Solon High School. The Dazzle Awards are a high school musical theater competition, aiming to recognize the importance of the craft and arts education locally, modeled after the Tony Awards, according to Playhouse Square’s website. A selected panel of independent adjudicators attends a production at each participating school, then giving educational feedback and scores to determine nominees and awards in more than 12 categories. “Honestly, I can say the Dazzle Awards are what has truly shaped me into the person I am today,” Heckman says. Heckman recalls having the opportunity to meet many other kids who were passionate about musical theater, and who eventually became his artistic peers and collaborators. He says through the Dazzle Awards, he discovered confidence in who he is as a performer and as a person. The competition opened other doors for him, such as The National High School
J.R. Heckman assists in the direction of the 2022 Jimmy Awards. Photo courtesy of Heckman and Playhouse Square
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