Meet the Judges YCGT
The Shane Lalani Center for the Arts announces all-star panel of judges for Yellowstone Country’s Got Talent.
Livingston, MT – The Shane Center is excited to officially announce the powerhouse panel of judges set to help decide the next Grand Champions of Yellowstone Country’s Got Talent on June 6th.
Get ready to meet the icons taking over the judges’ table this June:
Jared Stein - Jared has spent his career as a music director and music supervisor for live theater, film and television, with credits including the Broadway and touring productions of American Idiot, Hair (revival), Spring Awakening (1st National and Deaf West Theater), and Rent. His first feature film as executive music producer, Your Monster, was accepted to Sundance Film Festival in 2024. Last summer, he served as associated music director for The Hollywood Bowl’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar starring Cynthia Erivo, and played keyboards on the NBC special Wicked: One Wonderful Night. Jared is the co-founder and executive artistic director for A.I.R. (Arts Incubator Ranch), a non-profit based in Bozeman dedicated to educational opportunities and developmental residencies for artists from around the country. www.airmt.org
Susan Miller - Susan has served as General Director of Opera Montana (formerly Intermountain Opera Bozeman) since January of 2022. A graduate of Loyola University Chicago, Miller first began her career as a professional actor (AEA) in Chicago, IL. Acting highlights include playing Celeste #1/Betty in Sunday in the Park with George and Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, both at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, both directed by Gary Griffin; Mother in Ragtime at Light Opera Works directed by Lara Teeter; The Ballad of Little Jo at Steppenwolf Theatre (US/performed opposite Judy Kuhn); and Gypsy Rose Lee in Gypsy at Chicago’s old Bailiwick Theatre opposite Alexandra Billings as Mama Rose. Susan won The Las Vegas Review Journal’s Best Leading Actress in a Musical award for her performance of The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods at Signature Theatre in 2006.
Russell Lewis - A Missoula native, Russ has spent the majority of his career working in the performing arts in Montana; first performing with the Illustrious Virginia City Players from 1998 - 2001, then serving as Artistic Director of The Firehouse 5 Playhouse from 2001 – 2010. Since 2010, Russell has served as the founding Artistic Director of the Shane Lalani Center for the Arts in Livingston. Some of his favorite past credits include the title role in Jekyll & Hyde (2004), Inspector Javert in Les Miserables (2014), and Miss Trunchbull in Matilda (2022). When not immersed in all of the Shane Center’s many events, he takes great pleasure in moving rocks out at his “farm in progress” and floating every chance he gets.
Naomi Shafer - Naomi Shafer is a storyteller, theater-maker, producer, and arts leader dedicated to building connection through performance. She serves as Executive Director of 406Cirque, where she leads year-round circus arts programming, youth summer camps, and community performance projects. (Come see Tiny Theater, a portable theater initiative that brings free contemporary circus and theater directly into neighborhoods, parks, libraries, and public spaces.) Previously, Naomi served as Executive Director of Clowns Without Borders USA, leading programs in refugee camps, conflict zones, and communities recovering from disaster around the world. Her work has taken her to Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon, Myanmar, Colombia, Ukraine, and beyond, using humor, play, and performance as tools for resilience and human connection.
"We are absolutely thrilled to bring this level of talent and industry know-how not only to our stage, but to our contestants," says Erika Adams, Executive Director. "Our contestants are going to get the feedback of a lifetime, and our audience is in for an unforgettable night of entertainment!"
Attendees can fuel the fun with drinks and snacks served up all night from the State Farm Concessions Caboose along with an incredible lineup of local food trucks. Two Scoops Saloon and Pizza Madre will be parked on site ready to serve-up mouth-watering dinner and dessert!
This event is made possible by the generous support of Yellowstone Country Montana, Inc., Walter & Regina Wunsch - SPECTEC TIC, Sweet Pea Festival, and Carol Lalani in memory of Sal Lalani.
Tickets are selling fast! Reserve your seat today.
Expanded bicycle parking onsite. Additional vehicle parking available at Lincoln School.
The Judges of YCGT from top-left to bottom-right: Jared Stein, Susan Miller, Russell Lewis, and Naomi Shafer.