About Us
Markham Talent is an initiative aimed at promoting and showcasing performing arts talent in the York Region area, particularly within the city of Markham. The project seeks to provide a platform for local artists and performers to display their skills and creativity to a wider audience.
Organized by Markham Ward 6 Councillor Amanda Yeung Collucci in partnership with the Markham Arts Council, Markham Talent offers opportunities for artists of various disciplines, including music, dance, theater, and more, to showcase their talents in a supportive and inclusive environment.
The initiative often includes events such as talent showcases, open casting calls, workshops, and performances, allowing artists to network, collaborate, and gain exposure within the local arts community. Additionally, Markham Talent may collaborate with other community organizations, sponsors, and supporters to further enhance opportunities for artists and the community at large.
The ultimate goal of Markham Talent is to foster a vibrant and dynamic arts scene in Markham and York Region, celebrating the diversity and creativity of its residents while supporting the growth and development of local talent. Through its various activities and events, Markham Talent aims to enrich the cultural landscape of the region and provide opportunities for artistic expression and appreciation.
Markham Talent
2024 Open Casting Call
Event Honorary Chair
Frank Scarpitti
Mayor, City of Markham
“I fully support initiatives like York Region’s Got Talent that showcases our amazing local talent and builds on the vibrancy of our city” says Mayor Frank Scarpitti
Mayor Frank Scarpitti was elected as Mayor of Markham in 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018.
He is Markham’s second longest serving Mayor.
Mr. Scarpitti was first elected to Markham Council in 1985, as a Regional Councillor. In total, the people of Markham have elected him nine times. He has served on both the Councils of the City of Markham and York Region for 30 years.
Markham Talent
2024 Open Casting Call
Executive Producer
Amanda Yeung Collucci
Markham Ward 6 Councillor
Vice Chair of Economic & Culture Development
City of Markham
First Chinese female elected on Markham council. Serving on Markham council since 2014. Collucci is an award winning entrepreneur with decades of business experiences.
In 2017, Collucci led and hosted Markham Star Search event for the City of Markham, an event never seen before to promote local talents. The event successfully discovered our Star Search champion - Julia Gartha, singer and song writer who performed on stage for 2017 Canada Day celebration.
Recently appointed as Vice Chair of Economic & Culture Development at City of Markham, Collucci wishes to reignite this talent search event she launched in 2017, now to include all talents across York Region.
It is her goal to host this Markham Talent Open Casting Call event on an annual basis and become one of Markham's signature event to promote entertainment industry in the City of Markham.
Markham Talent
2023 Open Casting Call
Event Co-Chair
Stephen Chait
Chair of Markham Arts Council
Stephen Chait is a retired executive and active community member. Since retiring in February 2020 as the City of Markham’s Director of Economic Growth, Culture & Entrepreneurship, Stephen has devoted himself to actively serving on not-for-profit Boards including First Vice-Chair of the Air Cadet League of Canada (OPC), Vice-Chair of the Royal Canadian Institute for Science, the Richmond Hill Public Library Board, and Seneca College Helix Advisory Board.
He has served as a member of the Markham Arts Council for the past four years. A past recipient of the Senecan of Distinction Award and the Distinguished Service Medal by the Lt. Governor of Ontario, Stephen is an advocate for active community engagement and the celebration of cultural and artistic diversity.
Markham Talent
2023 Open Casting Call
Event Co-Chair
Shruti Ganapathy
Executive Director
Markham Arts Council
Shruti Ganapathy is the current Executive Director of the Markham Arts Council. She is a marketing and social media aficionado, passionate author, and digital storyteller who loves to explore and share stories about her community in Canada. Shruti comes with great experience in Event Management, Public and Media Relations. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Contemporary History from Queen Mary, University of London. She writes a monthly column on the arts scene in York Region in the Markham Sun and Economist. She is currently pursuing an Executive Leadership Program at Harvard Business School.
Markham Talent
2023 Open Casting Call
Public Relations
Renu Mehta
Vice Chair
Markham Arts Council
Renu Mehta is the founder of Imagebuilderz (www.imagebuilderz.com), one of Canada's leading Public Relations and Communications agency that creates innovative strategic Communication Campaigns and effective Media and Community Outreach initiatives for a diverse range of organizations. She began her career as a journalist presenting LIVE Traffic for CP24 and has also hosted
26-episodes of a Science Show, 13 shows on Environment and 20 Shows on Travel Journeys for OMNI Television. She has been honoured by Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) as one of the 20 Journeys that showcases the story of immigrants who contributed to the vibrancy of the Toronto Region, recipient of the Women Heroes Award for Excellence in Business by ICACI and the 2016 Women’s Achievers Canada Award by WAC, and has also been awarded with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Title Sponsor
Event Sponsor
Cash Prize Sponsor
Diamond Sponsor
Sponsors
Interested in sponsoring?
It takes collective efforts to make this exciting event successful.
Be part of this action to shape the future of Arts & Culture
in Markham and in York Region!
Copyright Markham Talent 2023 Open Casting Call