Apollo Theater To Hold 'Amateur Night' Auditions In September

HARLEM, NY — Harlem's historic Apollo Theater has launched the careers of entertainment icons such as Stevie Wonder, James Brown and Lauryn Hill. In September, New Yorkers will have their shot to be the next big name created at the Apollo.

Auditions for "Amateur Night" at the Apollo will be held on Sept. 22 for the show's fall season, the Apollo Theater announced. Singers, dancers, comedians and entertainers of all crafts and ages are invited to come out to the theater — located on West 125th Street between Frederick Douglass Boulevard and Seventh Avenue — to perform for the Apollo's judges. Auditions will be held between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Acts that impress the judges will be asked to participate in Amateur Night shows at the Apollo in front of a live crowd. At the end of the Amateur Night season, winners from the adult division will be awarded $20,000 and winners from the "child stars of tomorrow" division will be awarded $5,000, according to the Apollo Theater.

Here are some requirements for those interested in auditioning:

• Singers, dancers, comedians, rappers, spoken word artists, musicians and variety acts are welcome;
• Performers may not have contracts with a major label or studio;
• Performers younger than 18 must register for the "child stars of tomorrow" division:
• Performers will have no longer than 90 seconds to audition;
• Performers will not be accompanied by a live band, but may bring a CD or mp3 player;
• Performers are required to bring their own instruments. The Apollo only provides a standard keyboard and drum set;
• Performers must keep their acts clean and profanity free;
• Auditions are given on a first come, first serve basis. The Apollo will only hold 250 auditions.

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