Local Artist to Perform at Akron Civic Theatre

If you watch Madison Cummin’s YouTube videos, you’ll find she has a soothing, strong voice with killer acoustic guitar accompaniment.

That’s the way the 17-year-old likes it – just her and her guitar.

“I just like accompanying myself more than having someone else accompany me,” she said.  “It’s easier to focus when I’m playing guitar—for the musical aspect of performing.”

Along with one of her favorite cover songs, Behind Blue Eyes by The Who, she plays and sings many others on her YouTube channel. It’s what she’ll be doing at the Akron Civic Theatre Jan. 21.

She hooked up with the performance center because, at one time, both parents worked there. They, and other Akron Civic Theatre employees, had a good idea of her talent and knew she would fit for the local artist showcase.

“Madison is an example of a local talent that needs to get out to the public and be seen,” said Val Renner, Akron Civic Theatre Media and Public Relations Manager.  “She is young, has a great voice and is in the infancy of pursuing a career.”

When Madison talks college, she doesn’t have a sure direction, not unlike other high school seniors. She considers going in undecided and seeing where it leads her, she said.

“I haven’t really figured it out,” she said about her musical future. “I know it’s something I want to do throughout my life.”

Music is something she’s done much of her existence, so far. She’s loved singing nearly her whole life and picked up the guitar at the beginning of high school. Her dad got her started using his guitar background. Once she had a handle on chords, she found songs online to learn and play, she said.

Beyond guitar, she has sung in school musicals and choir. At Woodridge sophomore year, her part in “Guys and Dolls” set her up for a lead in “Footloose” and then a lead in “Curtains.”

Madison has performed a few gigs with her guitar here and there, including at , but this is her first big performance at the Akron Civic Theatre.

 “It’s nerve-racking – especially promoting it,” she said. “It’s kind of intimidating but I’m up for the challenge.”

Local artists can’t always land a slot performing before more nationally known artists. So, Akron Civic Theatre started doing shows cabaret style where the artists and audience are on stage together, like this Local Artist Showcase in January, said Renner.

“There is a lot of talent here in Northeast Ohio – Chrissie Hynde, The Black Keys, Devo,” Renner said. “They all had to start somewhere.”