Rockwood Students to Perform as Finalists in St. Louis Teen Talent Competition

(photo courtesy of the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation (PACF))

Rockwood School District students from Lafayette and Marquette high schools are part of one of the acts that will perform in the finals of the 16th annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. 

Lafayette senior Hritika Malugu and Marquette juniors Shreenidhi Senthilnathan and Aditi Sriram are three members of the dance quartet, "Dancing in Madness," which is one of 14 acts chosen as a finalist for this year's competition. 

"Aditi Sriram, Hritika Malugu, Kirthi Ramesh, and Shreenidhi Senthilnathan have been dancing side-by-side for nearly a decade through Soorya Performing Arts—and together, they form the dynamic quartet known as Dancing in Madness," reads a description on the Fox PACF Facebook page. "Their piece, choreographed by renowned Bharatanatyam artist Prasanna Kasthuri, draws inspiration from the idea that even in chaos, nature finds its rhythm. Using Bharatanatyam’s expressive vocabulary, they embody the delicate relationship between bees and blooming flowers through gestures like Arala, Mukula, Alapadma and Bhramara, bringing harmony, movement and meaning to the stage. Aditi, Hritika, Kirthi and Shreenidhi hope audiences feel the energy, connection and joy they share—and they plan to carry their passion for Indian classical dance into college and beyond."

High school performers from around the region submitted acts for consideration in this year's competition. Teen Talent celebrates high school student performers in four act categories: vocal, instrumental, dance and specialty. The competition is adjudicated by St. Louis performing arts professionals who represent the respective categories. Contestants are eligible to win scholarships, prizes and performance opportunities. There is also an Audience Choice Award, a $1,000 cash prize chosen by the audience.

Finalist acts will be judged on technical ability, interpretation, stage presence and originality. Judges for the finals have careers spanning music, dance and Broadway.

Produced by the Fox PACF, Teen Talent is a professionally produced show that is free and open to the public. Free tickets can be reserved by visiting this link.