Do you have what it takes? Our Guide to Auditioning For America's Got Talent
Whether your talent is singing, dancing, performing magic tricks, or doing stand-up comedy, one of the best ways to get noticed is auditioning for America's Got Talent. AGT is a televised talent show featuring celebrity judges, so it draws millions of viewers each week. Even if you don't ultimately win the competition, appearing on the show can help you land an agent or make valuable industry connections.
To keep things fresh, the show occasionally changes its format, but the audition process has remained much the same since AGT's debut in 2006. Here's what you need to know:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the America's Got Talent production team had to make some changes to its normal audition process. In past years, potential contestants would travel to cities throughout the United States to audition for the show's producers. Initial auditions are now held virtually, MAKING IT easier than ever for aspiring performers to get their big break.
Potential contestants have two options for these virtual auditions. The first is to submit a video via the America's Got Talent Auditions website. One of the major advantages of submitting a video is that you can record multiple performances and choose the best one to send to producers. This audition method does have a couple of drawbacks, however.
If you submit a video, you aren't able to interact with the producers, MAKING IT a little more difficult to show off your personality. You also need to make sure you have the right equipment for recording. Otherwise, poor video quality could hurt your chances of moving to the next stage of the process.
The second option is to attend an open call virtual audition, which allows you to perform in front of members of the production team without even leaving your house. The major advantage to performing at an open call virtual audition is that you'll have a chance to interact with producers and show them what makes you so special. You only get one shot at a live performance, however, so you need to make sure you're well-prepared.
If you wow the production team with your initial audition, you'll move on to Judges' Auditions, which take place live. For the most recent season, Judges' Auditions were held in the Los Angeles area, but the location could change in the future. If you live more than 300 miles away from the audition site, America's Got Talent provides a plane ticket and pays for two nights in a hotel, one the night before your audition and the other on the night of your audition.
If you live within 150 to 299 miles of the audition site, you're reimbursed for your driving mileage. America's Got Talent doesn't provide transportation or accommodations for anyone who lives fewer than 150 miles from the audition location.
For minor contestants or groups with at least one member under the age of 18, America's Got Talent has strict rules in place to ensure it remains in compliance with California's child labor laws. Every minor contestant must have at least one parent or guardian present at the Judges' Auditions. For groups with multiple minors, America's Got Talent requires one parent or guardian for every four minors.
If you're in a group, you can't change the number of group members coming to the audition unless you receive permission from the production team. It's also important to understand what's allowed and what isn't when it comes to attending the Producers' Auditions. Here are a few tips to make the process go as smoothly as possible:
If you do well during this process, you'll have a second audition in front of the celebrity judges. This second audition determines who will go on to compete in the live auditions.
During the live auditions, contestants compete against each other for a chance to appear in the live final. For each audition, you have to present a new performance. If you're a singer, for example, you need to perform a different song during each round. Then the viewing audience has a chance to vote on who should stay in the competition.
The location and format of the live auditions changes from time to time, but the producers will let you know what to expect if you make it this far in the process. Depending on how well you do, you may need to tape for 14 days or more.
Simon Cowell, the creator of the show, advises contestants to show originality. Instead of singing the trendiest song of the moment, do something a little different with your act. Cowell also cautions contestants against boring the producers and judges. Here are a few extra tips to help you nail your audition:
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