The first ever online talent search for a theatrical production, Heartbeat of Home, closed at 11am Saturday, with the website receiving over 2.2 million hits from 169 countries worldwide.

Since 8 April, dancers have been uploading their auditions and the public have been voting. The results of the public vote are now in.

The Top Ten with the most public votes will be invited to take part in auditions in Dublin this May.

The ten chosen are:

Olivia Griffin, San Francisco
Shaunessy Sinnett, London
Fred Nguyen, Vancouver
Sergey Nazarov, Moscow
Lorcan Balfe, Ontario
Anjelica Scannura, Toronto
Megan Kirk, Los Angeles
Emily MacConnell, Los Angeles
Maria, London
Brian Perry-Carrera, California

The judges will confer over the weekend to choose an additional ten people to attend the auditions in Dublin.

“We are truly moved by the unprecedented response to the online talent search.  The imagination, energy and talent of all who have uploaded their videos have surpassed our wildest expectations.”   MOYA DOHERTY, Producer

“Using the latest online technology we have been able to access and tap into this incredible amount of talent from all over the world from our desks in Dublin and this is only the beginning of the journey.”  JOHN McCOLGAN, Director.

Created by the Producers and Director of Riverdance, Heartbeat of Home is a music and dance spectacular featuring the dynamic, vibrant components of traditional Irish, Latin and Afro-Cuban music and dance. The world-class cast of thirty-eight includes a ten-piece band creating a new and electrifying sound written by award-winning, Golden-Globe-nominated composer Brian Byrne. The show employs high-definition, cutting-edge 3D projection technology and has an engaging narrative structure.  Produced by Moya Doherty, devised and directed by John McColgan with narrative and lyrics by award-winning Irish writer Joseph O’Connor.

The World Premiere of Heartbeat of Home will take place at The Bord Gáis Energy Theatre Dublin on Wednesday 2nd October and will run for 21 performances only with special price previews from Wednesday 25th September.  Tickets now on sale from €15.

For more information go to Heartbeatofhome.com, or check them out on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

Press information:   Gerry Lundberg / Sinead O’Doherty 
Gerry Lundberg Public Relations t:  + 353 1 679 8476 / + 353 87 259 1070   e:pr@gerrylundbergpr.com