STATE COLLEGE – Think you have what it takes to be on our stage?
Happy Valley’s Got Talent, Tides’ primary fundraising event, is seeking talented Centre region performers to audition Saturday, Feb. 27, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 28, from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Indigo, in State College.
A separate audition will be held for pianists and dancers from 4:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Sunday at The State Theatre, in State College.
From vocalists to dancers, comedians and more, all are invited to audition. Four acts in three, new age categories, starting as young as age 10, will advance to the finals and compete for cash prizes ($250, $150, $75 and $50 in each category) at The State Theatre, in State College, on April 2.
The three age divisions are:
? Future Fame Division (10–14 years old)
? Rising Stars Division (15–20 years old)
? Prime Time Division (21-plus years old)
There is no fee to participate, and all performers are asked to register online prior to the audition dates. In-person registration will be accepted at auditions, space allowing.
Audition information and registration forms are available at www.tidesprogram.org or by contacting the show’s producer, Jerry Sawyer at jvs3@psu.edu.
“Happy Valley’s Got Talent,” is a family-oriented showcase of local talent. Local celebrities will judge the performances. The 7 p.m. event at The State Theatre will feature a live auction, with all proceeds going to support Tides.
This year’s judges include Sue Paterno, State College Mayor Elizabeth Goreham, Dick Bundy, Ted Christopher and Jamie Bestwick among others.
Local veterinarian and comedian, Fred Metzger, and local radio host, Jerry Valeri, from Big Froggy 101 and Majic 99, promise to entertain as dueling emcees.
Local playwright and event producer Jerry Sawyer is producing “Happy Valley’s Got Talent.”
Last year’s event attracted more than 30 acts, from singing to hula hooping that auditioned for the 12 finalist spots. Each additional year gains more exposure for performers and Tides alike.
“Happy Valley’s Got Talent” has become much more than a night of entertainment showcasing local talent. As an audience member from last year stated, “It’s more than a show, it’s an experience!”
For the sixth year, performers from past years will be invited to take the stage, in addition to this year’s new talent competing for the top prizes. As Suzanne Thompson, executive director of Tides, states, “The audition judges have a tough job selecting the 12 finalists because so much great talent walks through the audition doors.”
As the signature fundraising event for the Tides program, the goal of “Happy Valley’s Got Talent” is to raise $50,000.
Tides is a peer support program offered to grieving children, teens and the people who love them in Centre and surrounding counties. Though everyone deals with the loss of a loved one in their own way, Tides was created specifically to support grieving children and teens as they try to understand and cope with their loss, to express their feelings and to find healing in their lives.
Tides meets the first and third Thursday of each month at Houserville Elementary School. Pre-registration is required and is available by calling 814-692-2233. There is no fee to participate.
Tickets for the event and a Red Carpet preshow reception at Indigo are available at The State Theatre box office http://thestatetheatre.org/hvgt/.
For questions regarding ticketing, please contact the State Theatre at 8142720606. More details about Tides and the “Happy Valley’s Got Talent” event are available at www.tidesprogram.org and by liking the Facebook Page as well as following Twitter account @Tides_Program, #tidesHVGT.