Audition for Amateur Night at The Apollo

As part of the fall season of Brooklyn Arts Council’s (BAC) year-long initiative, Black Brooklyn Renaissance: Black Arts + Culture, 1960 – 2010, sponsored by MetLife Foundation, the world famous Apollo Theater in conjunction with BAC announce open auditions for Amateur Night at the Apollo: Brooklyn Night, Celebrating Black Brooklyn Renaissance at Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation Oct. 2.

Winners from this audition will be contestants on the Apollo stage at a special Brooklyn-themed Amateur Night at the legendary Theater on Feb. 9, 2011.

This event marks the first time that the famous Harlem landmark will play host to an all-Brooklyn night of performances. The auditions are a rare opportunity for talented Brooklyn artists to audition right here in the borough for a Brooklyn-centric night of performances celebrating artists of the African Diaspora.

The Apollo Theater and BAC seek Brooklyn-based singers, dancers, rappers, comedians, spoken word artists and performing groups to audition for Amateur Night at the Apollo: Brooklyn Night. All genres of music – Caribbean, hip hop, ska, reggae, etc. Auditions are open to artists and musicians of all ages, styles and professional levels.

The Apollo Theater’s Amateur Night is revered as one of the most celebrated platforms where up and coming performers can showcase their talent and feel the power of the legendary artists that have come before them. It is also known as one of the only venues in the country where a live audience response can make or break a career. These specialized auditions are a part of the Theater’s plans to raise the level of talent for the show, which has launched the careers of countless stars from Ella Fitzgerald to James Brown to Stevie Wonder.

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 2, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation

Community Room 2, 1368 Fulton St. (Bedford Stuyvesant)

Audition Guidelines:

§For live auditions, contestants should arrive early as entry is not guaranteed.

§No lip synching, singing along with track vocals or post-production engineering of vocals is permitted.

§The audition is open to singers, dancers, comedians, spoken word artists and musicians and other variety performances.

§Each live contestant will have up to 90 seconds to perform.

§Singers can bring a track on CD or sing a cappella. A band is NOT available.

§Musicians must bring their own instruments.

§Dancers should bring a CD.

§NO Profanity: comedians and spoken word artists – in-person and online – must prepare material appropriate for a family show.

§Children under 18 MUST be accompanied by an adult.

§Only children ages 5 to 15 will be considered for the “Child Star of Tomorrow” segment.

Please note: The judges will only see the first 300 acts, so please arrive early to secure your place.

For more information, visit http://www.brooklynartscouncil.org/documents/1592.