El Segundo High School student Milena Vanek has been named a semifinalist for The Music Center’s 36th Annual Spotlight Program in the acting category.
This year, more than 1,520 teens, representing 265 schools, 177 cities, and eight counties, auditioned for the prestigious program. Out of the 1,520 entrants, only 114 were selected as semifinalists.
The Spotlight Program provides teens with expert advice, coaching, auditions, and mastery classes taught by professional artists and arts administrators in seven categories: acting, ballet, dance, classical voice, non-classical voice, classical instrumental, and contemporary instrumental.
As a semifinalist, Vanek will have the opportunity to attend a special mastery class for acting hosted by highly regarded artists who will share their expertise on performance technique, training, and professional life. Following the mastery class, each semifinalist will audition again before a new panel of judges, who will then select the top two finalist performers in each category, for a total of 14 Grand Prize Finalists (two from each category). Judges will also name an Honorable Mention in each category.
The Grand Prize Finalists will perform in The Music Center’s Spotlight Grand Finale on Tuesday, June 4, at 7:00 p.m. at The Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall.
The program awards more than $100,000 in cash scholarships annually. As a semifinalist, Vanek will automatically receive a $500 scholarship. Grand Prize Finalists will each receive $5,000 scholarships; one Honorable Mention in each category will receive $1,000. This year’s finalists will be announced on April 18, 2024.
“We are so proud of Milena for being chosen as a semifinalist for acting,” said Superintendent Dr. Melissa Moore. “Her hard work and dedication have paid off with this incredible recognition. Milena is a wonderful example and representation of ESUSD. We congratulate her on this remarkable achievement and look forward to her continued success!”
El Segundo High School offers visual and performing arts pathways for students interested in fine arts. Learn more about the fine arts offerings at ESHS at www.elsegundohigh.org/o/eshs/page/performing-arts-pathway.