CORAL GABLES, FL – Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, together with presenting sponsor The Children’s Trust, announces the ninth annual Young Talent Big Dreams – the most widespread, local FREE youth talent competition in Miami-Dade County. Kids between the ages of 8-17 are invited to showcase their talents and compete for prizes ranging from performing arts scholarships, cash awards and performance opportunities, plus tickets to local cultural attractions and theatres. For the fourth consecutive year, the grand prize winner will receive a free trip – airfare, hotel and passes for two – to attend the live Teen Choice Awards, courtesy of WSVN 7News, along with $500 in cash.
The talent competition will feature a total of six individual categories including pop/rock/rap vocals, musical theatre/jazz standards/classical vocals, dance, musical instrument, original spoken word and original vocal and/or instrumental composition. Categories for groups of six or fewer members include dance, musical instrument/bands and vocal groups. Participation in the competition is free of charge and limited to residents of Miami-Dade County.
Young Talent Big Dreams is modeled after reality TV talent shows that offer similar opportunities to contestants through a series of auditions, performances and professional mentoring. Judges include a host of local celebrities and professionals from Miami’s performing arts community.
The countywide competition begins on March 10, with preliminary auditions taking place through April 20 at four local theatres. It concludes with semifinals on April 27 and April 28, and finals on May 4 at the Miracle Theatre. A total of seven preliminary auditions will take place in locations throughout
Miami-Dade, including The Miracle Theatre, South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center, Miami Arts Studio and City of Miami Little Haiti Cultural Complex. Participants may compete in one individual and one group category only, and those who preregister will be given priority audition times.
Each act will be allotted up to one minute during their preliminary audition performance and two minutes for the semifinal and final-round performance. There will be a maximum of nine winners and one grand prize winner chosen during the finals.
“Actors’ Playhouse considers the YTBD competition to be amongst its most important programs for young people,” says Barbara S. Stein, executive producing director of Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre. “The program gives talented individuals a chance to explore their artistic skills, as well as develop self-confidence in themselves and the presentation of their work. Many of our alumni, like Angelina Green, who received the Golden Buzzer on America’s Got Talent, enhance their performance experiences in many important ways, including furthering their education in arts programs in colleges and universities. We are extremely appreciative of our long-term relationship with The Children’s Trust in celebrating the ninth annual Young Talent Big Dreams countywide youth talent contest.”
“This competition provides so many wonderful opportunities for kids in Miami-Dade who are interested in the performing arts,” says James R. Haj, Children’s Trust president and CEO. “The boost in confidence, the measurable difference made by professional mentoring – it’s amazing to see, and The Trust is very happy to support and promote such a unique initiative.”
Participation in Young Talent Big Dreams requires parental consent. Performers may preregister online and will be able to audition before nonregistered performers. For detailed information including audition schedule, competition rules and registration forms, please visit www.actorsplayhouse.org. To learn more about The Children’s Trust, visit www.thechildrenstrust.org.
On-camera and in-person interviews available with Actors’ Playhouse, The Children’s Trust, judges, contestants and their parents, beginning with the first audition round on March 10.
About Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
Founded by Dr. Lawrence E. Stein, and under the leadership of Executive Producing Director Barbara S. Stein and Artistic Director David Arisco, Actors’ Playhouse is an award-winning nonprofit regional professional theatre company celebrating 30 years of excellence. Located in the historic Miracle Theatre on Miracle Mile in downtown Coral Gables, Actors’ Playhouse is a Florida Presenting Cultural Organization and one of 14 major cultural institutions in Miami-Dade County. The company produces five Mainstage and five professional Children’s Theatre productions annually, a year-round Theatre Conservatory and Summer Camp Program, educational arts outreach programs, and the Young Talent Big Dreams countywide youth talent contest in partnership with The Children’s Trust.
About The Children’s Trust
The Children’s Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County.
YOUNG TALENT BIG DREAMS PRELIMINARY AUDITIONS
Sunday, March 10, 2019, 3-6 p.m.
THE MIRACLE THEATRE, 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Sunday, March 17, 2019, 3-6 p.m.
THE MIRACLE THEATRE, 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Sunday, March 31, 2019, 1-5 p.m.
SOUTH MIAMI-DADE CULTURAL ARTS CENTER, 10950 SW 211th Street, Cutler Bay, FL 33189
Saturday, April 6, 2019, 2-7 p.m.
THE MIRACLE THEATRE, 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Sunday, April 7, 2019, 1-6 p.m.
MIAMI ARTS STUDIO, 15015 SW 24th Street, Miami, FL 33185
Saturday, April 13, 2019, 1-6 p.m.
CITY OF MIAMI LITTLE HAITI CULTURAL COMPLEX, 212 NE 59th Terrace, Miami, FL 33137
Saturday, April 20, 2019, 2-7 p.m.
THE MIRACLE THEATRE, 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134
YOUNG TALENT BIG DREAMS SEMIFINALS
Saturday, April 27, 2019, 7 p.m.
THE MIRACLE THEATRE, 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Sunday, April 28, 2019, 3 p.m.
THE MIRACLE THEATRE, 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134
YOUNG TALENT BIG DREAMS FINALS
Sponsored by Wells Fargo
Saturday, May 4, 2019, 7 p.m.
THE MIRACLE THEATRE, 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Media Contact:
Natalia Zea
Chief Public Policy & Community Engagement Officer, The Children’s Trust
natalia@thechildrenstrust.org