The Helene G. Simon Hillel Center is accepting auditions for 2021 Campus Superstar, an annual singing competition fundraiser. For the first time in 17 years, auditions will be accepted virtually through Oct. 30.
Any student enrolled in an Indiana college program can audition for Campus Superstar, put on by the Hillel Center, and the winner of Campus Superstar receives $5,000.
Contestants must submit a 60-second, a capella song for their audition. Audition videos must be uploaded to YouTube as a private video, and then contestants will submit the YouTube link via the application form. The Hillel Center asks that songs have no religious affiliation, and videos must be unedited with no lip-syncing.
Hillel Center executive director Rabbi Sue Silberberg said Campus Superstar is first and foremost a fundraiser, as the Hillel Center is a nonprofit organization. She said most of their money to operate comes from donations and the Campus Superstar competition.
“We're on campus to serve the Jewish students, to be a home away from home for the Jewish students and to help Jewish students feel more comfortable on campus,” Silberberg said.
The Hillel Center aims to promote diversity and understanding, help the community learn more about Judaism and help fight against anti-Semitism, Silberberg said.
Hillel Center director of engagement Mason Greenberg said the virtual auditions make it easier to audition. In the past, auditions were in person in front of a panel of judges.
“We’re looking for more students to audition,” Greenberg said. “It’s easier than it ever has been to do so.”
After auditions, 20 semifinalists will be selected by judges. Semifinal auditions will be held in person at a recording studio in Bloomington on Nov. 15. The top ten will be selected by judges for the final show. The final show studio recording will be inperson without an audience on Feb. 15.
The show will then be broadcast nationally on Jewish Life Television Network in four parts. The first part, the general auditions, will air April 4. The second part, the semifinals, will air April 11. The finals will air April 18, and the winning reveal show will air April 25.
In years past, Campus Superstar has been accompanied by a silent auction. This year, the auction is virtual during the four weeks of the show broadcasting in April. The money generated throughout the fundraiser comes from the auction, sponsors and paying to vote.
For the final show, audience members can vote after the judges narrow it down to the top five contestants if they donate money. The amount of money donated dictates how heavily the vote is weighted. However, the judges' votes are weighed in with the audience vote to keep the competition fair, Silberberg said.
Silberberg said Campus Superstar can be a launching pad for students, as they can gain recognition for their talents.
“Students will really gain national and really international opportunity to showcase their talents,” Silberberg said. “We've had many students in the past who've gone on to be singers and stars.”
The Campus Superstar winner receives $5,000, the first four runners up receive $250 each and the remaining five contestants receive $100 each.
