Chasing the Spotlight: The Untold Stories of Aspiring Performers

In the glittering world of show business, the path to stardom is paved with both triumph and heartbreak. While the spotlight shines brightly on a select few, countless others toil in the shadows, their dreams of fame and recognition often fading into obscurity. This is the untold story of "The Other 99" – the aspiring performers who dare to chase their passions, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

Resilience and Passion: The Driving Force Behind the Unsung Artists

The Unsung Heroes of the Performing Arts

The entertainment industry is a relentless pursuit, where only a select few are able to rise to the top. For every star performer who graces the stage, there are countless others who never quite make it into the limelight. But these unsung heroes are not to be overlooked, for they possess a unique resilience and an unwavering passion that sets them apart.Chris Tompkins, the executive director of On-Stage LIVE! Entertainment, has witnessed this phenomenon firsthand throughout his career in the industry. "There's a story of resilience that make up artists — whether that be an architect or a fashion designer or a singer or a dancer, there's something innate about an artist and their internal passion to just never give in and never give out and never give up," he says.

Bringing the Untold Stories to Life

It is this very spirit of resilience and determination that forms the foundation of "The Other 99," the newest show at On-Stage LIVE! Cabaret in Greenwood. Originally conceived while Tompkins was working in Las Vegas, the musical performance delves into the travails of a group of aspiring actors as they hustle for their big break."The Other 99" offers a unique opportunity for performers to tap into their own experiences and bring the hopes, dreams, disappointments, and fears of the "other 99" to life on stage. "In reality, especially in the performing arts world, only 1 in 100, sometimes even more than that, ever gets cast. The story is what happens to the other 99 — what happens to them? What is there story?" Tompkins explains.

A Journey of Self-Discovery

The show's structure reflects the challenges faced by these aspiring performers. In the first act, the director chooses the one performer who will be cast in a fictional show, leaving the remaining actors as the "other 99" – those left to search for their next opportunity. But the director throws a curveball, asking eight of the performers to stay behind and try out for a different show idea.As the performers wait to hear the director's decision, they share their fears, excitement, motivations, and passions, setting the stage for the second act. Here, the director returns and asks the eight performers to find a costume that speaks to them and perform a song that reveals their true selves."It literally builds and builds to the finale of, you're here, they're almost sold, but this is all-or-nothing — they're going to go with all of you, or they're not going to do it. What are you going to bring as a cast?" Tompkins says, highlighting the high-stakes nature of the performance.

Transforming the Stage into a Reflection of the Performers

In staging "The Other 99," Tompkins has drawn upon his extensive experience in the entertainment industry to create a visually stunning production. The Greenwood theater will be transformed, transporting the audience from central Indiana to the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, complete with Vegas-style costumes, sets, and choreography.But the true heart of the show lies in the growth and self-discovery of the performers themselves. "Normally, the cast is given a role and given direction in that role — you're this character, this is the motivation of the character, this is how you move, this is how you talk, this is how you sing. They're very boxed in," Tompkins explains. "What has been so wonderfully awakening is to realize this is not being put into a category or a character; they are sharing their true life on stage."As the performers pour their hearts and souls into their performances, the audience is invited to witness the raw emotion and vulnerability that lies at the core of the "other 99" – the unsung heroes who refuse to give up on their dreams, no matter the odds.