Sara Niemietz

Sara Niemietz

Sara Niemietz singing at singing live at a benefit for the 2010, Life Through Arts Foundation, "Red Party", at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.

The "Red Party" 2010
Life Through Arts Foundation benefit
Background information
Birth name Sara Anne Niemietz
Born June 7, 1992
Chicago, Illinois
Genres Pop, rock, jazz, blues
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, actress
Instruments Vocals, guitar, bass, piano
Years active 2000–present
Associated acts
Website SaraNiemietz.com
Notable instruments
Vocalist, 3 1/2 Octave

Sara Anne Niemietz /ˌsɛrˈɑː nɪmˈɪts/ (born June 7, 1992) is an American singer/songwriter and actress based in Los Angeles, California.[1]

Early life and education

Born Sara Anne Niemietz in Chicago, Illinois, she currently resides in Los Angeles, California. Delivering Chicago and Broadway theatre performances, beginning at age 9, Niemietz continued her career in California with television roles, film roles, soundtrack productions, music videos and CDs. Niemietz played young Helen in Hollywood Arms (2002), the Broadway presentation of Carol Burnett's memoirs.[2] She is Polly in the feature film Akeelah and the Bee (2006),[1] and Niemietz played a starring role of Patrice in the world premier of Jason Robert Brown's musical, 13 at the Mark Taper Forum in 2007.[3] Niemietz is the vocalist on the haunting soundtrack for The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) and she is also the guitarist on the 2010 season of the television series, Glee.[1]

Niemietz graduated from Saugus High School in 2010, maintained an "A" level GPA, was active in the school's Theatre Department and played Luisa in Saugus High School's production of The Fantasticks during her senior year.[4][5] She is also a graduate of the Barbizon School of Acting and Modeling (Chicago).[6]

Niemietz first appeared on stage at age 4, when BJ Thomas helped her on to the stage. On video, BJ Thomas appears delighted that the youngster is completely at ease with singing one of his signature song in front of an audience. Following the song, Thomas can be heard to say, "I can't believe she knows the words!" and repeats an inaudible comment from the audience, "...she knows all my songs?"[7][8] The title of the song was, "Hooked on a Feeling", reunited in 2012, Niemietz and Thomas recorded "Hooked on a Feeling" for Thomas' The Living Room Sessions (2013) album.[9][10]

Career

With high school behind her, Niemietz teamed with, Emmy Award winner, W. G. Snuffy Walden and Taylor Made Studios for her latest EP offerings, Push Play and Christmas Favorites.[11][12] The team have produced dozens of music videos, covering contemporary hits and original compilations. As of January 12, 2013, Niemietz's cover of Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" has brought her YouTube channel 7 million views; her YouTube presentations caught the attention of Ellen Degeneres, resulting in a featured artist appearance on the Ellen Degeneres Show.[13][14]

On June 10, 2012, Niemietz was again invited to share the stage with, five time, Grammy Award winning, B. J. Thomas, some fifteen years after their initial impromptu performance. Niemietz is featured on Thomas' 2013 album, The Living Room Sessions, with Niemietz and Thomas performing a duet of his 1968, Top 10 hit, "Hooked on a Feeling".[15][16] Niemietz is also featured in duet with Richard Marx on his 2012 album and PBS live television special, A Night Out With Friends, singing Marx' number one Adult Contemporary hit, "Keep Coming Back".[17] Marx again called upon Niemietz to perform "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", a duet, for his first Christmas album, Christmas Spirit.[18]

Niemietz and Walden co-wrote the song, "Set You Free" for Phil Scarpaci's 2011 film, In The Key of Eli.[19] Niemietz and Walden also wrote the song, "Never Too Far From Home" which Niemietz performs in the 2012 short film, Stetson, Street Dog of Park City, a film promoting the adoption of abandoned pets.[20]

On June 28, 2013, shortly after her twenty-first birthday, Niemietz took the stage with B. J. Thomas to perform "Hooked on a Feeling" at the Grand Ole Opry.[9] On May 31, 2014, Niemietz performed with Mary Ann Mobley at the tenth annual What A Pair! benefit for cancer research, at the Saban Theater, in Beverly Hills.[21][22]

Melissa Manchester and Niemietz (BMI) co-wrote the song "Feeling For You" for Manchester's album, You Gotta Love the Life (2015), with Keb' Mo' producing the song and playing guitar on the track.[23] "Feelin' for You" was pre-released as a single on January 9, 2015, and premiered at #2 on the Smooth jazz charts.[24]You Gotta Love the Life was released on February 10, 2015,[25] and hit #17 on the Billboard Magazine Jazz Albums chart for the week of February 28, 2015.[26]

Theatre

Carol Burnett and Sara Niemietz at 2002, book signing
Sara Niemietz (Left) played the part of Carol Burnett (Right) in Burnett's memoir, the Broadway musical Hollywood Arms.
13 the Musical at the Mark Taper Forum.
13 the Musical at the Mark Taper Forum.
Photo: Craig Schwartz

Sara Niemietz's professional stage career began on April 19, 2002, at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, when she played the character of young Carol Burnett (Young Helen) in the pre-Broadway production of Hollywood Arms.[2]

Adapted from Burnett's 1986 memoir "One More Time", Carrie Hamilton (Burnett's daughter) and Carol Burnett co-wrote Hollywood Arms. Niemietz played the younger (1941 era) Helen in the first act, with Donna Lynne Champlin playing (1951 era) Helen in the second act.[27] Following the Chicago run, Sara played 76 performances on Broadway at age 10.[27]

Ms. Niemietz was named “Female Vocalist of the Year” National Champion at the NACMAI competition in 2001, and was the “Female Entertainer of the Year” California State Champion at the CCMA competition that same year. She can be seen in March of 2002 as a guest star on the NBC series “Providence,” and in April on the CBS drama “First Monday.”[2]


— Ed Vincent , World Premiere of “Hollywood Arms,” by Carrie Hamilton and Carol Burnett Directed by Harold Prince , Oak Park Journal

Hollywood Arms made its Broadway debut on September 7, 2002. Cast members included Linda Lavin, Michele Pawk, Donna Lynne Champlin, and Frank Wood under the direction of Hal Prince.[28] Niemietz earned the praise of Talkin' Broadway's, Matthew Murray: "Portraying Helen in her early years, Sara Niemietz is a pint-sized powerhouse, with a winning personality and the booming voice to match."[29]

While in New York, Niemietz also played the lead character in Pamela's First Musical at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts; adapted from the children's book, written by Wendy Wasserstein, music was written by Cy Coleman and lyrics provided by David Zippel.[30][31] Pamela's First Musical was a Cy Coleman work in progress in 2003, Pamela's First Musical held its concert world premiere at The Town Hall, with Lila Coogan as Pamela in 2008.[32][33]

In 2007, Niemietz played the role of Patrice in the Los Angeles premiere of the Jason Robert Brown and Dan Elish musical, 13.[3][34] Director Todd Graff described Niemietz as the "rock" of the cast and one of four incumbent actors from the workshop production to earn roles in the premiere.[8] The Los Angeles production of 13, with an all teenage cast and band, received a nomination for the 2007 LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards, World Premiere Musical[3][35]

Niemietz was chosen to play the role of Wanda in, Enter Laughing, The Musical, a one night only performance (January 28, 2013) honoring Carl Reiner's seventy-fifth year in the entertainment industry. Enter Laughing was adapted from Reiner's first book by Joseph Stein, with music and lyrics by Stan Daniels and orchestration by Matt Castle, the single performance, at the Mark Taper Forum, netted a box office of $290,000.00 supporting the Center Theatre Group's fund to support emerging artists.[36]

Soundtrack

An overview of the film Stetson, Streetdog of Park City, a film encouraging the adoption of abandoned pets.
Niemietz performs, "Never Too Far From Home" in Stetson, Street Dog of Park City, a short film by Campbell & Co., LLC, adapted from the children's book written by Jeanine Heil.
"Never Too Far From Home" written by Niemietz and Walden.

Sara Niemietz is the credited vocalist for The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005). Alyssa Rashbaum, of MTV, describes The Exorcism of Emily Rose as a "Fact-based fright film/courtroom drama..."[37] The Exorcism of Emily Rose earned $30.2 million at the box office and debuted number one on its opening weekend; the film has earned $144,216,468.00 worldwide.[38] Niemietz worked with film composer Christopher Young on The Exorcism of Emily Rose, and provided vocals again on Young's compositions for The Uninvited (2008).[1] The Uninvited was nominated for the 2009, Teen Choice Awards, "Choice Movie: Horror/Thriller".[39]

Niemietz soundtrack appearances include:

Discography

For more details on this topic, see Sara Niemietz discography.

Niemietz has performed on six soundtracks and is featured on seven compilation albums. She has three singles, one traditional music video and twenty-one professionally mastered YouTube music videos, seven of these songs were written, or co-written by Niemietz. Niemietz's first album was a live recording at the Cat Club in West Los Angeles and she is currently producing her second EP. Niemietz's performance of "Perfect Kind of Day" would be Burger King's first music promotional audio CD single, released in 2006.[40]

Filmography

Niemietz's film appearances include the supporting role of Polly in Akeelah and the Bee.[41] The film is an underdog story about African-American middle school girl who is determined learn and is destined for the National Spelling Bee competition in Washington D.C. The movie caused a spike in the national interest for spelling bee competition and the New York Times reported that Akeela and the Bee would become Starbucks first movie promotion:[42]

The first movie promotion at Starbucks will be "Akeelah and the Bee," a film about a spelling bee, produced by Lions Gate and starring Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett, to be released in April. Starbucks will have spelling-related trivia games in its stores and promotions for the movie on its cardboard cup sleeves.[42]


— Bloomberg News , Akeelah and the Bee , The New York Times

In 2003, Niemietz played the part of Mona in the short film, Home, which was written and directed by Nancy Deren with Traci Lords and Sierra Farber playing the lead roles.

Television roles
Year Series Character Played Known Episodes
2002 Providence Shania Seacrest Season 4, Episode 16
2002 First Monday Young Ellie Unknown
2005 Gilmore Girls Fiddler Chorus Season 5, Episode 15
2010 Glee Musician (on screen guitarist) Season 2, 8 Episodes[43]

Other television appearances

On September 15, 2002, Sara Niemietz and Donna Lynne Champlin performed the song, "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" before an estimated audience of fifty thousand in Times Square.[44] The eleventh annual, Broadway on Broadway event, was the kickoff for the Broadway theatre season and aired on NBC national television affiliates beginning on September 17, 2002.[45] Champlin commented on the Broadway on Broadway performance in an interview with Talkin' Broadway:[46]

NR [Nancy Rosati]: They’re calling it [Hollywood Arms] a play with music. Are you singing in it?

DLC [Donna Lynne Champlin]: Yes. Did you see “Broadway On Broadway?” The song Sara Niemitz and I sang ("I'm Always Chasing Rainbows") is the number I sing in the second act. Since we share the role (she plays Carol as a child) and we wanted to share the “Broadway On Broadway” experience, we shared the song. That girl has pipes! She’s like the future LeAnn Rimes![46]


— Nancy Rosati , Spotlight On Donna Lynne Champlin , Talkin' Broadway

Niemietz and Champlin also performed "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" on ABC's The View in 2002.[47]

On May 4, 2011, Sara Niemietz made a featured artist appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. DeGeneres said, "I found my next guest on YouTube and I wanted to meet her immediately! From Santa Clarita, California, please welcome, so talented, Sara Niemietz."[14]

In July 2011, Niemietz was interviewed on SVCtv's, House Blend, hosted by Stephen K. Peeples. Sara Niemietz and W. G. Snuffy Walden premiered her song, "Dangerous Outside" for the Santa Clarita Valley viewers.[48]

On May 31, 2012, American Public Television releases episode 109 of Front Row Center featuring Richard Marx', A Night Out With Friends. Marx and Niemietz perform the song, "Keep Coming Back".[49] The Front Row Center episode was recorded live at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Illinois.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "The New York Times: Movies and TV: Sara Niemietz". The New York Times (New York, NY: New York Times). Retrieved March 13, 2012.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Vincent, Ed. "World Premiere of "Hollywood Arms," by Carrie Hamilton and Carol Burnett Directed by Harold Prince Playing through June 1, 2002". Oak Park Journal (Chicago: OakParkJournal.com). Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Mufson, Ariana (January 9, 2007). "'13' A CurtainUp Los Angeles Review". CurtainUp (CurtainUp.com). Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  4. ↑ "The Fantasticks Coming to Saugus High School – Santa Clarita Event". SantaClarita.com – Kosmin Media Group. January 29, 2010. Retrieved March 20, 2012. The show features Saugus student and Broadway veteran Sara Niemietz as Luisa.
  5. ↑ "A Fantastick Theatrical Experience Comes To Saugus". Hometown Station: KHTS AM 1220. February 1, 2011. Retrieved March 13, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Barbizon Alumni: Sara Niemietz". Barbizon International, Inc. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  7. ↑ BJ Thomas and Sara Niemietz (May 25, 2008). BJ Thomas & Sara Niemietz singing "Hooked on a Feeling" in 1997. (Video – Requires Flash Player). Wheeling, Illinois: Sara Niemietz on theBJThomas YouTube Channel. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Henerson, Evan (January 4, 2007). "She Hits More Than A Few High Notes". Daily News of Los Angeles (CA). p. U-11. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 B. J. Thomas and Sara Niemietz (2013). BJ Thomas and Sara Niemietz reunited 17 years later at Grand Ole Opry. Grand Ole Opry: WrinkledRecords Official YouTube. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
  10. ↑ Sacks, Mike (April 3, 2013). "BJ Thomas Releases 'The Living Room Sessions'" (VIDEO INTERVIEW). The Huffington Post. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  11. ↑ Walden, W. G. (Snuffy) (June 17, 2012). "Push Play". Push Play (EP). W. G. Snuffy Walden. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  12. ↑ Stage Tube (December 2, 2012). "Audio: First Listen – Sara Niemietz's Christmas Favorites Album". Broadway World. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  13. ↑ "Adele – Rolling in the Deep (Cover by Sara Niemietz)". Rolling in the Deep. Official Sara Niemietz YouTube channel.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "A Talented YouTube Singer: Sara Niemietz – The Ellen DeGeneres Show". The Ellen DeGeneres Show. May 4, 2011. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
  15. ↑ Ward, Jamie (January 10, 2013). "B.J. Thomas To Release "The Living Room Sessions" With Special Guests". Music News Nashville. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  16. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "B.J. Thomas The Living Room Sessions". Overview – Review. AllMusic. Retrieved February 13, 2013. Despite the preponderance of guests – Steve Tyrell, Etta Britt, and Sara Niemietz also appear, leaving just a third of the album to B.J. himself – this amiable acoustic album is a showcase for Thomas, who hasn't seemed to lose much vocally, and remains an engaging, friendly presence on record.
  17. ↑ "Richard Marx – Keep Coming Back (Live)". Keep Coming Back to You. OfficialRichardMarx YouTube channel. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Richard Marx and Sara Niemietz: "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town"". Sara Niemietz YouTube channel. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  19. ↑ "Cast and Crew" (PDF). In The Key of Eli. Official Website: In The Key Of Eli. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  20. ↑ Ogden, Namcy (August 10, 2012). "Credits". Credits: Stetson, Streetdog of Park City. Director Nancy Ogden's YouTube Channel. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Hollywood Comes Together For The 10th Anniversary What A Pair! Benefit Concert". Getty Images. 31 May 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014. Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images
  22. ↑ "SARA NIEMIETZ- "WHAT A PAIR!" BENEFIT IN BEVERLY HILLS". Eventful. 31 May 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  23. ↑ Adrienne Onofri (10 June 2014). "BWW Interview: MELISSA MANCHESTER on Her Café Carlyle Debut, Her Latest Album & Bway Musicals She Loves". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  24. ↑ Holleran, Scott (22 January 2015). "Music Review: Melissa Manchester, You Gotta Love the Life". Scott Holleran. Archived from the original on 8 February 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  25. ↑ "YOU GOTTA LOVE THE LIFE: NEW SINGLE GOING FOR ADDS JAN 19, 2015". Melissa Manchester. Archived from the original on 21 January 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  26. ↑ "Jazz Albums: Week of February 28, 2015". Billboard Magazine. 28 February 2015. Archived from the original on 20 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Weber, Bruce (November 1, 2002). "Theater Review; A Real Cinderella's Painful Past". The New York Times. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  28. ↑ "A CurtainUp Review Hollywood Arms". CurtainUp.com. November 6, 2002. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
  29. ↑ "Talkin' Broadway Review: Hollywood Arms". Talkinbroadway.com. October 31, 2002. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  30. ↑ "Sing Out, Aunt Louise! Monk, Niemietz, Klein and Barrett in Pamela's First Musical". Playbill.com. Retrieved March 10, 2012.
  31. ↑ "Sing Will Pamela's First Musical Make Its Debut with Goodspeed Musicals in 2005?". Playbill.com. October 5, 2004. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  32. ↑ Cohen, Steve (March 4–10, 2004). "The Great Coleman". Philadelphia City Paper (Philadelphia, PA: Philadelphia City Paper). Retrieved March 18, 2012.
  33. ↑ Blank, Matthew (May 19, 2008). "Pamela's First Musical Premieres at Town Hall". Playbill (New York, NY: Playbill.com). Retrieved March 18, 2012.
  34. ↑ Verini, Bob (January 9, 2007). "'13'". Variety (Variety.com). Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  35. ↑ Hernandez, Ernio (October 24, 2007). "Kaye, Fishburne, Felder Among Nominees for 2007 L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation Awards". Playbill (Los Angeles). Retrieved March 17, 2012.
  36. ↑ BWW News Desk (January 29, 2013). "Photo Flash: Carl Reiner, Billy Crystal and More at ENTER LAUGHING Benefit at CTG's Mark Taper Forum". Broadway World.com (Los Angeles: Playbill, Inc.). Retrieved January 30, 2013. The cast featured Deborah S. Craig, Erick Devine, John Grisetti, Sharon Lawrence, Michele Lee, Alan Mandell, Gerry McIntyre, Gina Milo, Sara Niemietz, Kevin Odekirk, Stuart Pankin, Rob Reiner, Darcie Roberts, John Rubinstein and Robb Sapp.
  37. ↑ Rashbaum, Alyssa (September 12, 2005). "'Exorcism Of Emily Rose' Takes Possession Of Box-Office #1". MTV.com. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  38. ↑ "The Exorcism of Emily Rose". Sony Screen Gams. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved February 4, 2013.
  39. ↑ "The Uninvited: Teen Choice Awards 2009 nominees". Los Angeles Times. June 15, 2009. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  40. ↑ Powers, Amy; Gottwald, Lukasz; Maye, Marjorie; Wolf, Steve (2006). PollyWorld (Media notes). Sara Niemietz. Miami, Florida: Burger King. Matrix / Runout: E604-06.
  41. ↑ "Akeelah and the Bee (2006)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 18, 2009.
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 Bloomberg News (June 13, 2006). "Starbucks to Add Movie Products". New York Times. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  43. ↑ Aliquante, Dan; Amoroso, Christina; Barracato, Joe; Heller, Billy; Heller, Charlie; Huhn, Mary; Lieberman, Sara; Lynch, Stephen; McClear, Sheila; Niemietz, Brian; Shen, Maxine; Stadtmiller, Mandy; Stewart, Sara; Tucker, Reed; Vincentelli, Elisabeth; Wang, Andy (December 28, 2010). "The top 210 songs from 2010". New York Post. New York City: Paul Carlucci. p. 3. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
  44. ↑ "Performers and Musical Numbers:". EarthCam.com. May 4, 2002. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  45. ↑ "Toys "R" Us Presents Broadway on Broadway". EarthCam.com. May 4, 2002. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 Nancy Rosati. "Spotlight On Donna Lynne Champlin". Talkin' Broadway. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
  47. ↑ "Broadway on Broadway: I'm Always Chasing Rainbows". World News Inc. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  48. ↑ "Sara Niemietz interview on House Blend". SCVtv. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  49. ↑ "Front Row Center". 109 "Richard Marx: A Night Out with Friends". American Public Television. Retrieved May 30, 2012. In this concert, Marx takes us through his legendary career and brings along a few friends including Hugh Jackman, Matt Scannell, and Sara Niemietz.

External links