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‘Chautauqua’s Got Talent’ Auditions To Be Held Monday

The Spire Theater will host auditions for the eighth annual “Chautauqua’s Got Talent” competition Monday at 7 p.m. Submitted photo by Paul Schermerhorn

Area entertainers of all trades are invited to The Spire Theater to audition for the eighth annual “Chautauqua’s Got Talent” competition Monday.

Auditions will be held over a single session at the theater, where contest hopefuls are invited to display their talents before a panel of judges, beginning at 7 p.m.

Co-presented by Big Time Productions and The Post-Journal, “Chautauqua’s Got Talent” offers Chautauqua County residents a unique opportunity to compete against one another using a variety of skills and abilities. In addition to singers and musicians, the contest also allows other types of entertainers, such as comedians, magicians and dancers, to perform in front of a live audience over a five-week period. The contest also welcomes groups as well as solo acts.

“We really encourage other forms of artists to come out and perform,” said Angelo Giuffre, who owns the Spire Theater with his wife, Ylsa. “We’ve had everything from comedians, to hula hoop dancers to ballerinas in the past, so it’s kind of like a competitive variety show.”

In years’ past, the cash prize awarded to the “Chautauqua’s Got Talent” champion has been $500, along with other gifts on occasion. This year, being the contest’s eighth consecutive run, the grand prize will be $800, complimentary dinner every month for a year at Wing City Grille, plus other gifts.

Another unique aspect to this contest is contestants are given the rare opportunity to work privately with the seasoned professional performers, producers, and judges that make up the “Chautauqua’s Got Talent” production team to fine tune their craft. Giuffre said everyone is welcome to come and participate in the audition process, and nobody will be turned away from a shot at competing.

Auditioning hopefuls should come prepared to offer a sample of their talent for approximately one minute, and bring a parent or guardian if under 18. If hopefuls are unable to attend the audition, there is an option to send in a video audition by emailing a video file or YouTube link to jamestownspire@gmail.com any time up until midnight Tuesday, Feb. 21.

Pre-registration is not mandatory, but if performers wish to do so to avoid waiting in line on the day of auditions, they can send an email to jamestownspire@gmail.com requesting a pre-registration form.

This year’s “Chautauqua Got Talent” competition will be held at the Spire Theater on five consecutive Mondays, starting on March 6 and ending on April 3. Each competition round will begin at 7 p.m. on its respective date.

Presale tickets to individual shows are $7, and are available for purchase through Brazil Craft Beer and Wine Lounge, located at 10 E. Fourth St. in Jamestown, or online at www.spiretheater.org. A pass to attend all five competition nights is also available at the aforementioned locations for $30. Individual tickets on performance nights are available at the door for $9.

The Spire Theater is located at 317 E. Third St. in Jamestown. For more information on auditions, or this year’s “Chautauqua’s Got Talent” competition, contact Angelo Giuffre at 450-7357, or by email at jamestownspire@gmail.com.

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