Want to be a Star? Aspiring Local Talent Sought for Apollo Theater Amateur Night at The Kimmel
August 9, 2002
The audition is open to a diverse talent base, including amateur musicians, dancers, singers, specialty acts and stand-up comics of all ages. At this open audition, twelve finalists will be selected to compete at the Apollo Theater Amateur Night at The Kimmel Center's Verizon Hall on October 27 before a live audience of up to 2,500 fans, friends and family. Tickets go on sale for the show September 3.
The winner of The Kimmel Center's Apollo Theater Amateur Night will receive $1,000 and the opportunity to compete at the Apollo Theater Amateur Night in New York in 2003.
To secure a time slot for the audition, aspiring performers can call 215-790-5803.
Audition slots are limited and will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Up to 150 contestants can compete. Each contestant will be given three to five minutes to perform for Apollo Theater and Kimmel Center representatives. The Kimmel Center will provide microphones, a piano, CD and tape player. Those auditioning are asked to bring their own accompanist, CD or tape. Bands should bring their own instruments.
The Apollo Theater Amateur Night, which showcases new, untapped talent, was established at Harlem's World Famous Apollo Theater in 1934 with Ella Fitzgerald as its first grand prizewinner. Since its inception, this world-renowned talent competition has been discovering new talent and launching legends, including Sarah Vaughn, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, The Jackson Five and Sisqo. Amateur Night's sister program, ShowTime at the Apollo, is televised weekly on NBC and is syndicated in 19 US markets.
The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts owns, manages, supports and maintains The Kimmel Center, manages The Academy of Music, and serves as home to nine Resident Companies. These companies include Kimmel Center Presents, a program that offers a rich diversity of choices to complement presentations by the other companies. Activities of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts also include arts-in-education programming provided by the Merck Arts Education Center and free entertainment throughout the year featuring a wide range of local and regional artists. For more information visit www.kimmelcenter.org.
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