On Stage: Wakefield Idol Set to Begin Final Rounds

Much like the weather, things are slowly heating up at the Contemporary Theater Company in Wakefield. After several weeks of preliminary tryouts, Wakefield Idol is set to begin final rounds this month. A $1,200 prize is awarded to the winner in the finals on March 27, with additional cash prizes awarded to the top eight finishers.   

“Wakefield Idol is an opportunity to see world-class talent in your hometown and have a wonderful time,” says Stephen Fox, executive director at the Contemporary Theater Company, who started in the role in December 2024. “It gets you through the winter,” he jokes.

Now in its 11th season, the competition is one of the state’s leading events for showcasing local talent. Many Wakefield Idol alumni go on to sing professionally or form their own bands. “The first season was way more successful than anyone expected,” says Fox. “Colby Geaber, who was runner-up the first year, later founded Take it to the Bridge. That season was so successful, we decided to do it again. Not only has the event grown, but we’ve been blessed as a theater to have a lot of these people stick around.”

The competition serves as a feeder program for the Main Street venue. As part of the sing-off’s 10th anniversary, organizers put together a Tournament of Champions last summer, in which many winners and runners-up from past seasons participated. “We got a lot of people back for the tournament, and this year, we had a bunch of Idol people who sang in our Christmas Cabaret,” adds Fox.

The preliminary rounds are open to everyone. Contestants audition, and a select few advance to the later rounds. Some participants return year after year; however, once you finish in the top two, you are no longer allowed to compete. “We welcome newcomers and anyone who has a passion for the arts,” says Fox. “Many people come to us and say, ‘I know I’m not going to win, I’m not here to compete, I’m here because I love singing.’”

“In 2022, Sydney Allen won the season after having been eliminated from the competition three different times that year,” says general manager Maggie Cady. “We always encourage people to come back on a new preliminary night if they don’t make it through because sometimes you just have an off night, or you maybe could choose a better song. Sydney is the perfect example of that. She got better and better as the season went on and ended up winning the whole thing!”

Season seven runner-up Brittany Thompson now sits as a judge for the contest. She recalls how she prepared for the competition. “Being a participant in Wakefield Idol makes you focus more of your presentation on the material. This means memorizing lyrics, ensuring that you choose something that highlights your strengths, while also presenting a challenge.”

“As a judge, my role is to observe what the participants have put forth, celebrate their talents, and provide opportunities for growth through constructive criticism,” says Thompson. “This allows the contestants to challenge themselves each week and showcase their gifts in a way that makes them the best contenders for the competition. I focus on providing the safest environment for the 12-16 people who choose to be incredibly vulnerable every Thursday. Right now, I think we all need community, adventure, and a little bit of CTC magic.” For the March schedule, tickets and more, visit ContemporaryTheaterCompany.com.