Zzak G. Applaud Our Kids Foundation

Fifth Annual Step into the Spotlight Soiree & Talent Competition

We hope you will join us on Thursday, November 17, 2022 from 6pm-10pm at Jack Baker's Lobster Shanty for an evening of entertainment & inspiration with amazing talent, celebrity judges & audience participation, all in support of the Zzak G. Applaud Our Kids Foundation mission. Please click the Event Ticket link to purchase your tickets.

Cast your Audience Choice vote for a contestant in the competition by selecting their profile below. You can vote as many times as you would like at a cost of $5.00/vote.

All money raised through the audience choice votes goes directly to helping to fund the foundation's ongoing mission of connecting children with financial barriers to ongoing performing arts lessons. Presenting orchestra sponsor Grunin Foundation.





Event Tickets!


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Contestants

Olivia Renkel 2022

Olivia Renkel is a Hunter College Alumna with a B.S. in Performing Arts Administration. She started her training at a very young age studyin... 

November 2022 · features 1 nonprofit

Tom O’Brien

When his parents overheard him teaching himself the Inspector Gadget theme song on piano at age five they knew their dreams of a football sc... 

November 2022 · features 1 nonprofit

Emily Chant

Emily is a recent graduate from Westminster Choir College (‘21) holding a BM in music education. She performed over her 4 years of undergrad... 

November 2022 · features 1 nonprofit

Don Sweeny

Toms River resident Don Sweeny (originally from Quincy, Massachusetts) is a self-taught songwriter and performer, using voice, guitar and bl... 

November 2022 · features 1 nonprofit

Vanessa O’Brien

Vanessa is a multi tasking mother of four who proudly wears many hats. She serves her local communities as Legislative Aide to Senator Decl... 

October 2022 · features 1 nonprofit

Laura Sisskin

Oh, Elis aka Laura Sisskin, is an NYC-based theater artist and singer-songwriter. She is most known for her award-winning and New York Innov... 

November 2022 · features 1 nonprofit

Justin Daniels

Justin Daniels is originally from Delaware, now living in Monmouth County. A soulful, passionate singer, Justin most recently won Georgie's... 

November 2022 · features 1 nonprofit

Danielle Fay

Danielle Brandon (known as Danielle Fay) is an artist, singer, writer, and the podcast co-host/co-owner
of Allegedly Credible Entertainment... 

November 2022 · features 1 nonprofit

Gary DeVirgilio

Gary DeVirgilio is a teaching artist currently employed with Community-Word Project. He is multidisciplinary, having studied acting, music,... 

November 2022 · features 1 nonprofit

Nathan Bishop

Nathan Bishop is an Irish traditional fiddler, violinist, and teacher based in New Jersey. A mentee of the avante-garde fiddler, Cleek Schre... 

November 2022 · features 1 nonprofit

Judges

Kim Berrios Lin

Kim Berrios Lin is an Actor, Producer, Writer, Advocate, Mom of 2 little wildlings, and proud
member of the ‘Applaud Our Kids’ Advisory Com... 

October 2022

Anna Mastroianni

Anna Mastroianni: Stunt person, actress, entrepreneur

Anna performed as a stunt person for 13 years in film and television doubling star... 

November 2021

Peggy Becker

Parkside Talent Management is dedicated to managing actors of all ages. We have talent in all facets of the industry. Our goal at Parkside i... 

October 2022

Nick Ditri

Producer, Writer, Dot-Connector - Disco Fries // FinishMyTrack.com // Arkatone Music Publishing & Management - Owner

Nick Ditri is most k... 

October 2022

Heather Brittain O’Scanlon

Heather is an award-winning actress and filmmaker, and is Vice-Chair of the board of directors for the Garden State Film Festival.

Acting... 

October 2022

Ann Pennington

October 2022

Lou Morreale

Lou Morreale, trained chef and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, became involved with JBJ Soul Kitchen during the early stages... 

October 2022

Host

Joanne Nosuchinsky

Joanne Nosuchinsky is a podcast host and actress living in Manhattan. As a fine arts theatre scholar, she graduated summa cum laude from Rid... 

November 2021

Honorees

JBJ Soul Kitchen
Joanne Gwin
Rob Wood
Erich Wald