Pasadena Playhouse to Host New Youth Showcase JUNIOR'S GOT TALENT!, 8/30 & 9/8

The Pasadena Playhouse, in partnership with Vivian Chan, President, Asian Link Marketing (ALM), along with special production sponsor ETTV, announce JUNIOR'S GOT TALENT!, an education-focused youth talent showcase that will take place on the Mainstage of The Pasadena Playhouse. The showcase performances will be on Friday, August 30 and Sunday, September 8, 2013, as a part of The Playhouse's Wells Fargo Theatrical Diversity Project.

"As a mother of four absolutely beautiful children, I know firsthand that, like a child walking on a pathway, you can never tell what small pebble picked up along the way will direct them to their dreams. These pebbles become like treasure to them as they move toward the accomplishment of educational goals and dreams," stated ALM President, Vivian Chan. "This project is a labor of love, intended to provide many pebbles of opportunity to our community's talented youth. It is our hope that through this educational journey, these young people will gain experience, and blossom in their own way."

"We are thrilled to partner with ALM and ETTV on this exciting pilot program to highlight the talented youth in our community," said Elizabeth Doran, Executive Director of The Playhouse. "The Pasadena Playhouse is for all members of our community, and we welcome all children and youth in this educational celebration."

The Playhouse and ALM are pleased to also partner with Five Acres, a social services organization for children and families. All Five Acres children will be invited to participate in the showcase events.

Categories for the showcase will be voice, dance, and symphonic instrumentation. Individuals and/or groups of students aged 8-17 are invited to apply for an audition to the showcase. Applications are available online and are in English and Chinese. Applications will include each student's short statement describing his or her passion and inspiration for performance. All students who apply and audition will automatically receive two complimentary tickets to any performance in the 2013-2014 Pasadena Playhouse season, complimentary tickets to the Junior's Got Talent showcase performances, and will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a new iPad.

36 student applicants (12 in each category) will be invited to the first showcase on Friday evening, August 30, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Each student will be given 2-3 minutes to showcase his or her talent before an audience and panel of celebrity guests. Each of these 36 students who qualify for this showcase will automatically receive a master class with a professional teacher in his/her showcase category, along with other education-focused prizes.

15 students (five from each category) will be selected to perform in a final showcase on Sunday, September 8, at 4:00 p.m. These students will again perform before an audience and a panel of celebrity guests, who will select one finalist from each category to receive a $1,000 college savings bond. All finalists will be invited to attend master classes with professionals, and will be highlighted at special events throughout the year, such as "Juniors for Seniors" a program that connects these talented young artists with members of our senior community to perform together and share insight, hope and wisdom. "Juniors for Seniors" allows for the exchange of insight between these young people who have just set out, and seniors who have already had great journeys along the "pebble path."

The entire process, from audition to final showcase, will be presented in both English and Mandarin, and will be filmed and edited into a program for distribution within a regional and international television market.

To apply for an audition for JUNIOR'S GOT TALENT!, parents and students can go to www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org and download an online application. An application fee of $88.00 will apply and a limited number of need-based scholarships are available. Applicant showcase auditions will occur at The Pasadena Playhouse on August 4 and August 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

JUNIOR'S GOT TALENT! showcases will occur on August 30, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. and the finale showcase will take place on Sunday, September 8 at 4:00 p.m. . Single ticket prices are $20.00 for adults and $10.00 for children, General Admission. The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101. The performance schedule is Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available by calling The Pasadena Playhouse at 626-356-7529 or by visiting The Pasadena Playhouse Box OfficeTuesday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org.

The Pasadena Playhouse's Theatrical Diversity Project was created in 2005 to support The Playhouse Artistic Director's vision to build a legacy of artistic and theatrical diversity at The Pasadena Playhouse, and is currently named the Wells Fargo Theatrical Diversity Project in honor of its corporate sponsor. Operating under the overall Playhouse mission, governed by The Playhouse Board of Directors and a Committee chaired by a Playhouse Board member, the Theatrical Diversity Project is committed to promoting diverse programming at The Playhouse by engaging writers, actors, designers and directors of all ethnic backgrounds and providing opportunities within the craft to all age groups, on and off the stage. The objective of the Theatrical Diversity Project and its Committee is to increase and maintain diversity of talent on stage in all productions and behind the scenes on the crews, production staff, and in the box office. In addition, the committee strives to work closely with the Theatrical Diversity Project in connection with the creation of mentoring and internship programs to help youth from the Pasadena Unified School District and surrounding areas develop and achieve greater goals. The Committee is also committed to building on the relationship with the senior citizens in our community whose dedication, wisdom, and guidance we rely on in our efforts to preserve the unique history of The Pasadena Playhouse.

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