(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) — State Theatre New Jersey presents Jersey Talent on Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 7:00pm. Jersey Talent, a talent show for ages 8-25, returns for its second year. Twelve finalists, including singers, dancers, pianists, and more, will perform live at the historic State Theatre. The winner of Jersey Talent wins a spot as a featured performer at the New Brunswick Heart Festival on August 9. Jersey Talent will be hosted by actor J.W. Cortés (Gotham, The Black List).
Video auditions for Jersey Talent began in January. From the video submissions, 24 acts were chosen to audition live at the State Theatre. Of the 24 acts, 12 were selected to move forward to the live performance on June 1. Four judges from the New Brunswick community will select the top three finalists. The winner will be chosen based on audience applause. The Jersey Talent judges include Benjamin Bucca, Jr., Judge at the Middlesex County Courthouse; Carolina Moratti, chef, activist, and community organizer; Jessica Trechak, State Theatre’s Director of Event Services; and Lindy Zeledón, Family & Community Engagement Coordinator at New Brunswick Public Schools.
The Top 12 finalists include singers Aaron Crowell & Marisa Santiago (ages 16 & 17, Woodbridge), singer Cami Galvez (age 19, Manville), dancer Catalina M. Genik (age 8, Old Bridge), singer/actor Luciano Guidetti (age 16, Paramus), dancer Alexa Mackenzie (age 10, Morris Plains), drummer Dylan Merkel (age 16, Lebanon Township), singer/pianist Melody Nagle (age 13, Long Valley), singer Juliana Napadano (age 9, Doylestown, PA), pianist Elias Nicozisis (age 14, Hopewell), dancer Nia Nicozisis (age 13, Hopewell), singer Hailey Shafer (age 19, Woodland Park), and dancer Thansi Thatipamula (age 12, Edison).
“We are very excited to present this year’s amazing finalists for the second annual Jersey Talent,” said Sarah Chaplin, State Theatre New Jersey President & CEO. “It is our mission with Jersey Talent to provide this platform annually for youth to express themselves through art in a safe environment before a supportive audience of friends, family, and community.”
Tickets for Jersey Talent are $17.25 and available for purchase online or by calling State Theatre Guest Services at 732-246-SHOW (7469). State Theatre Guest Services, located at 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ, is open by phone and email only, Tuesday through Friday from 11:00am to 5:00pm. For in-person purchases, Guest Services is open Tuesday through Friday from 12:00pm to 4:30pm. Additional ticket and transaction fees may apply.
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Host JW Cortés is an actor, singer, filmmaker, and decorated Marine combat veteran whose path has taken him from the streets of Brooklyn to the battlefields of Iraq, and now to stages and screens across America. He is best known for his role as Detective Carlos Alvarez on FOX’s Gotham and has also appeared in The Blacklist,Power, and Law & Order: SVU. Later this year, Cortés will be seen in Academy Award-winner Kathryn Bigelow’s new Netflix feature.
His upcoming memoir, A KINGS HERO, chronicles his powerful journey through violence, war, art, and redemption—shedding light on what it means to fight for your life, your family, and your place in the world. Cortés gained national attention on NBC’s Stars Earn Stripes, where he trained with elite operators, including the late Navy SEAL Chris Kyle. A passionate advocate for veterans and underserved communities, he has addressed Congress, performed alongside music legends like Roger Waters, Gary Sinise, and led national nonprofits.
The Finalists
Luciano Guidetti is only 16, raised in Paramus, NJ, and is making his first appearance on the State Theatre stage! Some past shows include Hairspray (Wilbur Turnblad), Rent (Mark Cohen), and Newsies (Tommy Boy). Beyond theater, he’s a passionate musician, training at School of Rock™ and performing with the classic rock cover band Nostalgia.
Juliana Napadano – A Furlong, PA native, Juliana was most recently seen as Susan Waverly in White Christmas, Young Anna in Frozen Jr., and won first place in the 2024 Hammerstein International Youth Solo Contest: Elementary School Division.
Nia Nicozisis is proud to call Hopewell, New Jersey her home. She is a ballet dancer and classical musician who is no stranger to the stage. Nia has performed the role of Clara in The Nutcracker with American Repertory Ballet and is a Youth America Grand Prix international finalist and Guinness World Record holder. With over 11 years of dance training, she has earned top honors in both classical and contemporary styles. As a musician, Nia has won multiple grand prizes at Carnegie Hall and has been asked to perform in international festivals and masterclasses across Italy.
Dylan Merkel is 16 years old, residing in Lebanon Township, New Jersey. He is a sophomore at Voorhees High School where he is part of the Concert and Jazz Band. His focus is mainly the drum kit, which he’s been playing since first grade, but he also plays the guitar and bass guitar. Dylan also volunteers to play the drum kit for Wind, Choir, and String Ensemble events. Outside of school, he studies at the Clinton Music Studio where he trains in current and classic Rock and Roll as well as taking voice and piano lessons to broaden his musical knowledge.
Hailey Shafer is 19 years old and currently a freshman Theatre Performance Major at Wagner College. She has been singing and acting since she was little. Some of her favorite roles are Sally Brown in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Emma Nolan in The Prom, and Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray!
Catalina Genik’s credits include performances in The Dancing Snowman and Tiny Thumbelina with the Main Street Theatre Company’s Junior Academy. She’s a competitor and student at Fred Astaire Dance Studios Marlboro and studies ballet at the Absolute Dance Center in Monroe. In addition, she is a Performance-Level vocalist at the School of Rock East Brunswick.
Melody Nagle – Pianist and vocalist, Melody is a gifted 13-year-old performer who has been singing since the age of three and has played piano since eight. She is a member of MPAC Performing Arts Company in Morristown and has appeared in their Spring musical, Matilda. She has also performed in Pebble Player’s cabaret fundraiser in Summit. Recently, she played Anna in Frozen Jr. at her school.
Cami Galvez dreams of pursuing a career in Musical Theatre. Past credits include Rizzo (Grease), The Witch (Into the Woods), Emma Nolan (The Prom), and Donna Sheridan (Mamma Mia) for which she was nominated for Best Lead Actress in the 2024 Central Jersey Marquee Awards.
Elias Nicozisis is a New Jersey-born pianist and performer. He has won multiple international piano competitions, including grand prizes at Carnegie Hall through MusicFest and the International Music & Arts Competition. Elias has also received top honors from the Young Performers Foundation and Crescendo International and was awarded scholarships to study and perform in Italy at the Chieti Classica Festival and the Brescia Summer Academy. A dedicated musician who has attended The Juilliard School summer piano academy, Elias brings passion and artistry to every performance.
Thansi Thatipamula is a seventh grader from WWMS Edison. The 12-year-old has been learning the Indian classical dance Bharatanatyam since she was four from teacher Vidushi Sonal Jhaveri at Khushi Dance Academy. Thansi has performed at venues like Times Square, Federal Reserve Bank NY, and NY International Dance Festival and was recently featured in Indian Raga. Thansi has won multiple dance competitions, she is now pursuing her Diploma certification.
Alexa Mackenzie is an aspiring actress, dancer, and musician entering sixth grade this fall. She began dancing at the age of three and has a passion for performing, currently being formally trained in Tap, Advanced Jazz, Lyrical, Acrobatics, Contemporary, and Ballet at Sharon’s Studio of Dance & Music in Whippany, NJ. Alexa is also a pianist and has taken private lessons since the age of five. She performs with bands regularly at local restaurants, parks, churches, and music venues.
Aaron Crowell & Marissa Santiago are two friends who share a passion for performing. Marisa and Aaron have performed and been nominated for their roles in Sweeney Todd as Johanna Barker and Anthony Hope. They have recently finished their run in Sister Act as Mother Superior and Eddie Souther.
After major renovations, State Theatre New Jersey celebrated its 100th Anniversary in December 2021 in a fully renovated theater. Originally built as a silent film and vaudeville palace, State Theatre’s historic significance was honored by PBS by featuring it in its documentary series, Treasures of New Jersey, in the fall of 2018. “Treasures of New Jersey: State Theatre New Jersey” can be streamed online.
Today, State Theatre is the largest performing arts center in Central New Jersey and has welcomed more than six million people through its doors since reopening as a nonprofit performing arts center in 1988. State Theatre New Jersey is a cornerstone of the cultural vitality of Middlesex County and averages a total economic impact on New Brunswick and the surrounding area of more than $18 million a year. The mainstage programs have featured high-caliber artists such as Diana Ross, Tom Jones, Kevin Hart, Ringo Starr, Melissa Etheridge, John Leguizamo, Harry Connick, Jr., Diana Krall, and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Program offerings include Broadway, orchestra, family, dance, comedy, rock/pop, jazz, Performances for Schools, and Sensory-Friendly Performances.
