Sacred Heart Senior Performs at Carnegie Hall

By Jordan Norkus

Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor 

On Tuesday, July 12, senior Lauren Lichac made her debut on the Carnegie Hall stage.

In honor of the film “Florence Foster Jenkins,” Paramount Pictures wanted to give three individuals a chance to perform at the renowned concert venue.

Two-time Tony nominee and hostess of the event, Laura Osnes, announced the event on Twitter. To enter, aspiring performers had to reply to her post with #MyCarnegieMoment.

“I responded to her tweet and attached two video links,” said Lichac. “One was my music video for ‘O Holy Night,’ and the other was a video from my performance of ‘Green Finch and Linnet Bird’ from Sacred Heart’s production of ‘Sweeney Todd.’ A few days later, she mentioned the three winners in another tweet, and I was one of them.”

After Lichac discovered that she was selected as one of the three winners, it was time for her to decide which song she wanted to perform for her Carnegie moment.

“The day I found out, I ran to my voice teacher, Fran Meath, so we could go through my repertoire and choose the best song,” said Lichac. “Because I’ve played the role of Johanna in ‘Sweeney Todd,’ I was especially comfortable with ‘Green Finch and Linnet Bird.’ It’s a gorgeous song, and fits very nicely in my voice while making good use of my coloratura soprano range. I thought it was the perfect choice.”

If chosen, the event requirements for the winners were to prepare a song of their choice, provide their own transportation, and to dress for success.

Then it was time for Lichac to officially make her debut on the Carnegie Hall stage.

“I couldn’t believe it was actually happening—it felt too good to be true. To have stepped and performed on the same stage as stars such as Julie Andrews, Kelli O’Hara, and Laura, herself, was such an honor,” said Lichac. “This unbelievable experience really went above and beyond my expectations.

Not only did the winners get to perform at Carnegie Hall, but they also received the opportunity to be individually coached by Osnes before the performance.

“We met her in the rehearsal room and each ran through our song in front of her so she could give us her input,” said Lichac. “She’s such a talented, beautiful, genuinely kind person, and she definitely helped me to feel very relaxed and comfortable before going out to perform on such an iconic stage.”

Lichac had the experience of a lifetime after a one-on-one coaching session with Osnes, a performance at Carnegie Hall and being filmed by Paramount Pictures. She was also interviewed, photographed and featured on PlayBill, Broadway World, TheaterMania and Broadway Style Guide.

“I’ve honestly learned that anything’s really possible and that it’s very important to never give up on what you care about most, despite the odds,” said Lichac. “Singing is my escape, my craft, and my passion. I’m more than thrilled to have had the opportunity to share my voice, which I continuously work so hard to perfect, on a world-renowned stage. It was a day I will surely never forget.”

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