Huntley Man Among Top 30 Named for Suburban Chicago's Got Talent

The top 30 contestants were announced Friday in the Suburban Chicago’s Got Talent contest at Metropolis Performing Arts Center, according to the Daily Herald. 

They include both individual acts and bands, and are listed below:

• Huntley: Joey White
• Woodstock: Sean and Karen. 
• Carpentersville: Kimberly Church. 
  
•  South Elgin and Hoffman Estates: King Whiskey, Joe Calderone and Mike Kelley
  
• Fox River Grove: Mary Hilbrink. 
  
• Barrington: Bret Patterson.
• Palatine: Garbriela Francesca, Mark Lyons.
• Arlington Heights: Riley Mangan, Meyerside: Quinn Fitzsimons, Joel Smith and Sean Ryan of AH, Patrick Ryan of Wheeling.  No Immunity (formerly Chaotic Family Band): Matt Kania, Meggie Kania, Andy Meyers and Molly McDermott. Tiffany Streng. 
• Des Plaines: Andre Bellow, Alivia Tedeschi and Arielle Atar. 
• Yorkville: Sheridan Archbold. 
• Wheaton: Kristin Brintnall. 
• Lombard: Chinese Takeout, featuring Luke Young. 
• Schaumburg: Ryan Cooper. 
• West Chicago: Alexandrea Guzman.
• Bourbonnais: Andrew Johnston. 
• Bartlett: wEs LeE “K”, featuring Wesley Kochan.
• Naperville, Schaumburg and Elk Grove Village: MELZ Band, Gary Ehlebracht, Julie Zuker and Dan Lawler. 
• Pingree Grove: Alexis Nguyen. 
• Carol Stream: Sarah Norman. 
• Oak Brook: Divya Pillai. 
• Geneva: San Sandberg.
• Wheeling: Dave Siemiaszko. 
• Winfield: Solar Sound System, C.J. and Stephen LaFleur. 
• Lake Forest, Chicago, Niles: Tempest Rising featuring John Koziol, Gene Bayer, Suzi Tillman, Victor Varjan, Bryna Tillman and Art Scheer. 
• Chicago: Tiffany Turner. 
• Bartlett, Riverwoods: Viper Fever, Tim and Dan Shemroske and Mark Glatt.

Holly Marshall, production manager for Suburban Chicago's Got Talent said the group will be divided in two, and perform at either a performance on June 23 or July 7. From there, the top 15 will be chosen, and the final top 10 will perform on August 4.

The winner will be decided, Marshall said, at the Taste of Arlington Heights on August 10. 

Marshall said the judges are using a point system, and aren’t just looking for talent, but the ‘total package’.

“Those who advance could have a show, a look, something to move forward with,” Marshall said. “The judges give them feedback, and they many times take that feedback and come back with changes to their acts.”

The criteria is based on a 100 point scale, including 40 percent for entertainment value and appeal, 30 percent for creativity and 30 percent for ability.

This year, Marshall said, the audience can vote. Audience members who attend the various performances leading up to the final winner announcement can place tokens in receptacles with the names of their favorite competitor on it.

“The judges take audience feedback into account, and deliberate immediately after each show,” Marshall said.

The ultimate winner will be receive a financial package valued at $2,000 to help them travel to the America’s Got Talent competition later this year in hopes of making it onto the television show. 

For more information on tickets to upcoming competitions, visit the Metropolis Performing Arts website.