APOLLO LIVE Auditions to be Held in:
Washington DC, Atlanta, and NYC
Amateur Night Auditions to be Held in:
Philadelphia and NYC
Online auditions for APOLLO LIVE to launch on Friday, June 28th
Head to www.BET.com/Apollo for more information!
Harlem, NY, JUNE 30, 2013 – The Apollo Theater and BET Networks announced today national auditions to find talent for the second season of BET’s APOLLO LIVE and for Apollo’s legendary Amateur Night at the Apollo. Auditions for APOLLO LIVE will be held in Washington, D.C. at Howard University on Saturday, July 13th; in Atlanta, GA at Center Stages on Sunday, July 14th; and in New York City at the Apollo Theater on Saturday, July 20th. Auditions for Amateur Night will be held in Philadelphia on Saturday, July 27th and in New York City on Saturday, August 3rd for Gospel talent. APOLLO LIVE music experts, Doug E. Fresh and Michael Bivins, APOLLO LIVE producers, and Amateur Night producer Marion J. Caffey, will screen hundreds of vocalists, dancers, comedians, spoken word artists, and other performers trying to win a coveted spot on the Apollo’s stage.
“Long before American Idol, America’s Got Talent, Star Search, and other talent shows, the Apollo’s Amateur Night was, and continues to be, a primary source for discovering new talent and spotlighting up-and-coming artists,” said Jonelle Procope, President and CEO of the Apollo Theater. “We’re proud to continue to produce our live, weekly show, and are equally thrilled to be partnering with BET to produce Apollo Live, which brings the Amateur Night experience to audiences across the country.”
Since its inception in 1934, the Apollo Theater’s signature show, Amateur Night, has been one of New York City’s most popular live entertainment experiences, launching the careers of thousands of performers and attracting audiences from all over the world. Amateur Night has
long been revered by artists as a transformative experience where up-and-coming talent feel the power of the legendary performers who have come before them, and where audience responses can help make or break a career. Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Lauryn Hill and Michael Jackson are just a few of the legendary performers who launched their careers on the Apollo stage.
APOLLO LIVE is a take on the competition genre. Hosted by comedian Tony Rock, the series brings an array of undiscovered talent and musical performances from some of R&B’s biggest stars each week. The show is taped in front of a live audience at the Apollo Theater, and includes audience voting as well as the notorious “Executioner,” who sweeps unsuccessful performers off the stage. Similar to the Apollo’s live Amateur Night show, the contestants’ fate will be in the hands of the audience, whose cheers and jeers decide the winner. There’s no shortage of star power as soul legend Gladys Knight, hip hop pioneer Doug E. Fresh and R&B great Michael Bivins critique an array of budding talent as the series’ music experts, providing feedback and commentary on the performances.
Auditions for APOLLO LIVE are as follows:
· July 13th in D.C. at Howard University (9am- 2pm)
· July 14th in ATL at Center Stages (12pm-5pm)
· July 20th in NYC at the Apollo Theater (9am-2pm)
*Important Note: ALL APOLLO LIVE applicants must complete and print their online application. APOLLO LIVE auditions are open to U.S. citizens or legal residents who are at least 18 years old and not considered a minor in their state of residence. Applicants may complete the application and find times and additional audition details by visitingwww.BET.com/Apollo.
Auditions for Amateur Night are as follows:
· July 27th in Philadelphia at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (beginning at 10am)
· August 3rd in NYC at the Apollo Theater –Gospel only ( beginning at 10am)
*Important Note: For Amateur Night, only children ages 5 to 15 will be considered for the “Child Stars of Tomorrow” segment. For those competing in the adult category, you must be 16 years and older to compete in the adult category. Children under 18 MUST be accompanied by an adult. For a complete list of audition guidelines and rules, visit apollotheater.org
For Amateur Night auditions, judges will only see the first 300 acts if time permits, so please arrive early. Amateur Night at the Apollo weekly performances are independent from the APOLLO LIVE and SHOWTIME AT THE APOLLO taped events.
