Signature Theatre Seeks Contestants for SIGNATURE IDOL; Deadline 7/24

Love to sing? The Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre is looking for the next 'Signature Idol,' as the wildly popular Signature Idol Competition returns for one day only during the theatre's annual Open House on August 3rd. Held in Signature's MAX Theatre, the competition enters its fourth year with a panel of three celebrity judges in search of the best undiscovered singers in the DC region.

Ever wanted to get up on stage and show off your stellar singing voice? Submit your video! All are encouraged to apply. Signature's artistic staff chooses finalists based on audition videos submitted by the Wednesday, July 24th deadline.

Of the videos submitted for consideration, Signature will select five finalists to compete and perform. The winner of the Signature Idol Competition will have the opportunity to perform later the same day at the 'Broadway on the Plaza' Finale Concert, one of the most exciting events at the Open House.

Maggie Roos won last year's competition by wowing the judges with her exceptional solo. The previous year's winner was Chelsea Pedano; Gabriel Lopez won the competition in 2010.

Originally envisioned in 2009 as a one-off tour of Signature's brand-new theatre facility in Shirlington Village, Signature's first Open House generated such attention, big crowds, and good fun that the theatre has turned the event into a summer tradition. Eric Schaeffer, Signature's Artistic Director, describes the Open House as "an all-day extravaganza celebrating our community. And the Signature Idol competition has surely become one of the day's highlights. It provides a wonderful platform for undiscovered talent that never ceases to amaze and astound the audience and judges."

Schaeffer takes one of the three judges' seats on the panel this year. He is joined by beloved local TV personality and critic Robert Aubrey Davis as well as a surprise guest (hint: she's an acclaimed Broadway performer).

Signature's Open House will celebrate the very best in musical theatre, drama, and fun on Saturday, August 3rd from noon to 10:00pm. Free and open to the public, this special event is an entire day full of exciting performances, demonstrations, master classes, exhibits, a concert on the plaza, and kids' activities offered both inside and outside the Signature complex. The entire schedule and list of performers will be announced shortly.

'SIGNATURE IDOL' RULES AND GUIDELINES:

- The deadline for video submissions is the end of the day on Wednesday, July 24.
- Applicants can select any musical theatre song. Auditions may be a cappella or with accompaniment. A pianist will be available to accompany finalists.
- Applicants may choose to accompany themselves with an instrument should they deem it appropriate and supportive of their vocal performance.
- Those interested should upload a video to YouTube and send Signature the link at idol@signature-theatre.org.
- You may not apply if you performed at a previous year's 'Signature Idol' competition.
- No one who has been paid to perform previously on the Signature stage may audition.
- Finalists must be available to attend a rehearsal and the Open House on August 3rd.
- Finalists will be notified by email.

SIGNATURE'S 2013/14 SEASON: Signature Theatre, now heading into its 24th season, will affirm its longstanding passion for classic musicals by staging inventive new productions of the epic musical romance Miss Saigon, the much-loved Gypsy and the electrifying 1928 favorite The Threepenny Opera. In addition, Signature is proud to bring three brand-new musicals to life: the haunting and eclectic Crossing, the touching stage adaptation of the best-selling novel Beaches, and the fast and funny musical comedy Cloak and Dagger.

Equally committed to fostering exciting new dramas, Signature will also produce the ferociously imaginative two-person play Tender Napalm as well as the world premiere of the darkly satirical Pride in the Falls of Autrey Mill from playwright Paul Downs Colaizzo, author of Signature's acclaimed 2012 world premiere drama Really Really.

Several additional programs round out Signature's 2013/14 season. The theatre will present a Sizzlin' Summer Cabaret this July to follow up on the success of the series in 2012. Signature will also present a robust wintertime line-up including a special Matt Conner Christmasshow, the return of the seasonal revue Holiday Follies, and an all-new Winter Cabaret Festival next February and March.

Subscription packages are available by calling Signature's Box Office at 703 820 9771. For more information, or to order tickets, visit www.signature-theatre.org.

Recipient of the 2009 Regional Theatre Tony Award, Signature Theatre is a non-profit professional theater company in Arlington, Virginia dedicated to producing contemporary musicals and plays, reinventing classic musicals, and developing new work. Under the leadership of co-founder and Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer and Managing Director Maggie Boland, Signature has presented 38 world premiere productions and is renowned for combining Broadway-quality productions with intimate playing spaces.

In addition to hosting the finest talent from the DC metropolitan area and New York, Signature has been home to such theatre luminaries as Chita Rivera, George Hearn, Hunter Foster, Emily Skinner, Ann Reinking, Marc Kudisch, Judy Kuhn, John Kander and Fred Ebb, Cameron Mackintosh, Terrence McNally, and the company's signature composer, Stephen Sondheim. Since its founding in 1989, Signature has won 82 Helen Hayes Awards for excellence in theWashington, DC region's professional theater and has been honored with 320 nominations.

Signature Theatre is located at 4200 Campbell Avenue (22206) off I-395 at the Shirlington exit (#6). After the exit, blue Signature signs mark the way to the theatre. Free parking is available in two adjacent public garages. Please note that Campbell Avenue is a new street and some GPS online mapping systems do not yet recognize Signature Theatre's address. For directions visit http://signature-theatre.org/map.htm

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