Louisville’s Got Talent, a competition celebrating the talented youth in greater Louisville produced by CenterStage and Jake Latts, is back for its fourth year. Young performers, ages 6-18, will take the stage at The J, and compete for a cash and prize package valued at over $2,000. Registration opens Saturday, October 15, for all talented youth, ages 6-18, performing as individuals or in groups. Acts in the past have included vocalists, bands, magicians, dancers, pianists, instrumentalists, jugglers and comedians.
First-round auditions will be held Sunday, January 15, from 3-6 p.m. Participants must register in advance at www.CenterStageJCC.org/talent. Participants can audition with more than one act. There is a $15 per person registration fee for the first act and $5 for each additional act. After January 1, 2017, the registration fee is $20. The Top 20 acts will go on to compete in the Live Grand Finale on Sunday, February 26 at 7 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center. Audition slots are expected to fill up quickly, so sign up early.
The grand prize includes professional coaching sessions, a photo shoot, a salon makeover with a top Louisville stylist, performance bookings, special appearances and up to $400 cash. This year’s competitors will be divided into two age groups, 6-12 and 13-18, with a winner chosen for each age group as well as a Grand Prize Winner. There will also be a “People’s Choice Award” which will be voted on and chosen by the audience at the live, final showcase performance. All acts in the showcase perform for not only a sell-out audience, but also many Louisville talent agents and theatre/film directors.
Louisville’s Got Talent began four years ago as a bar mitzvah project by Jake Latts whose passion is theatre and music. It was his goal in creating Louisville’s Got Talent to not only provide a performance opportunity for young performers, but also raise money for CenterStage Acting Out so that more children across the Louisville area can benefit from live, educational, musical theatre.
All proceeds from Louisville’s Got Talent will directly benefit CenterStage Acting Out, a touring children’s theatre troupe that travels to schools and community venues, presenting educational musical theatre to students of all ages. Through collaboration with educators, Acting Out integrates the performing arts into the learning process, thus enriching the lives of each audience member and “Opening Minds One Act at a Time.”
In order to reach as many children as possible each year, CenterStage Acting Out relies on generous funders to underwrite many performances for schools that may not otherwise be able to afford it. “This year we are looking to expand the number of both individuals and companies who sponsor Louisville’s Got Talent so that we can help Acting Out even more,” stated Louisville’s Got Talent founder, Jake Latts.
Tickets for the February 26 Live Final Showcase go on sale November 1 and are $7 for children 10 and under and $12 for adults. To register an act or purchase tickets after November 1, go to www.CenterStageJCC.org/talent. Call 502-238-2773 with questions or for more information. Louisville’s Got Talent sponsorship and advertising opportunities are also available.