St. Louis Teen Talent Competition
Fifty metro-area high school acts competed in the semifinal round of the 11th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition. The 14 acts (21 students) who moved to the finals performed in April on the Fabulous Fox stage, which will air as a special Nine PBS broadcast on May 24.
Due to pandemic constraints, the competition was not filmed in front of a live audience, but the finalists had the opportunity to perform in front of a small group of their closest family and friends.
The Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation will award nearly $50,000 in prizes, cash awards, and college scholarships to the top competitors. Finalists will be judged on technical ability, interpretation, stage presence, and originality.
Immediately following the broadcast, join us for the live after-party on the Nine PBS Facebook page, where Christian Jones (2017 Winner) announced additionl awards and prizes and DemBari Taneh (2020 Winner) performed a free-style hip hop dance. Taneh closed out the celebration with the announcement of the Audience Choice Award.
Encores will air Saturday, May 29, 3 pm, and Sunday, May 30, 9:30 am and 2 pm, on Nine PBS. Or you can watch the Nine PBS special any time at https://www.ninepbs.org/teentalent .
Learn more about 
at ninepbs.org
Pre-register for
the 12th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition
Be the first to know when registration opens in the fall for
the 2022 St. Louis Teen Talent Competition by clicking the GOLD button below to pre-register.
11th Annual
St. Louis Teen Talent Competition
Participants
Check out all the wonderful acts
who participated in the 2021 competition!
2021 St. Louis Teen Talent Competition Program
Guidelines for the Competition
In the spirit of fostering the emerging talent in the St. Louis performing arts community, the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation is proud to underwrite and produce an adjudicated competition showcasing the talented teens of the St. Louis region. Students are competing for college scholarships, cash awards, prizes, and public appearance opportunities. Students may compete in a talent category of their choice. Examples of talent categories include, but are not limited to:
- Singer
- Actor
- Musician
- Dancer
- Band
- Comedian
- Magician
- Specialty Act, etc.
There are no fees to participate.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
Registration for the 11th year of the St. Louis Teen Talent Competition opens October 1, 2020, and closes December 31, 2020. The Preliminary Round will be conducted exclusively by video submission. During the registration process, students AND parents must sign the “Agreement to Participate.” Once the agreement is signed, students will be given instructions on how to submit their videos.
Download the 2021 Participation Agreement and Release Form HERE
Completed forms may be emailed to teentalentcompetition@foxpacf.org or mailed to:
Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation
462 N. Taylor, STE 203
St. Louis, MO 63108
COMPETITION GUIDELINES
- Open to High School students in the St. Louis Metropolitan area.* Students must be enrolled in grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 during the 2020-2021 academic year to participate.
- Students may only enter ONCE, either as a solo act or as part of a group.
- Entries may consist of one (1) to six (6) students working together as a group in a cohesive presentation. Students in one group need not attend the same school.
- Students may compete in a talent category of their choice. Examples of talent categories include, but are not limited to Singer, Actor, Musician, Dancer, Band, Comedian, Magician, Circus Arts, Specialty Act, etc.
- Each act must perform a minimum of two (2) minutes and must not exceed four (4) minutes.
- Acts may change their material between the Preliminary Round and Semi-final Round of the Competition based on the judges’ feedback.
- Acts cannot change the type of act after the Preliminary Round – acceptable adjustments based on judges’ feedback are, better audio, different costume, and tweak choreography.
- Acts must perform the same material at the Semi-final Round and Finals.
- Acts may not add or substitute a new student for another after the Preliminary Round of competition. All contestants must be completely registered prior to performing in the Preliminary round.
- Acts should select material that is “family-friendly” and age-appropriate. Content should not contain foul language or violent subject matter. Acts which violate this rule can be disqualified.
- Students must participate in 3 progressive rounds of competition Preliminary, Semi-final, and Final Competitions as well as a mandatory Finalist meeting and rehearsal dates for the onstage Finals. Both students and parents will be asked to sign an agreement confirming their acceptance of the schedule once it is set.
- Audio and digital enhancements are not allowed in Preliminary Round video submissions.
- Act may only use one instrumental accompanist for their act. (See “Technical Information” for more information.)
* Metropolitan Area is limited to 50 miles from the Gateway Arch in all directions. To qualify for entry, a student’s High School (or home address if homeschooled) must fall within a 50-mile radius of the Arch.
Schedule & Dates
11th ANNUAL SLTTC SCHEDULE*
Mark your Calendars
October 1, 2020- Registration Opens for the 11th Annual SLTTC!
December 31, 2020 – Registration Closes
January 15, 2021 – Preliminary Round Video Submissions Are DUE
January 30 & 31, 2021 – Preliminary Round Feedback from the Judges via ZOOM
February 27 & 28, 2021 – Semi-final Round
March 1, 2021, Finalist Production Meeting – required of all finalists
March 2-13, 2021 One-on-One Rehearsal with Production Team
NOTE: You are ONLY responsible for attending one 90-minute rehearsal scheduled during this week
March 24-28, 2021 Production Rehearsals (tentative) – required of all finalists
March 29 – April 3, 2021 Tech & Dress Rehearsals at the Fabulous Fox – required of all finalists
April 3, 2021 – Finals at the Fabulous Fox Theatre!
*As we navigate through these uncertain times competition dates and locations are subject to change. We will remain flexible and give advance notice when schedules, rehearsal locations, and competition information is updated.
Technical Information
The Producers will provide the following equipment and personnel for rounds of the competition that are produced on stage:
- PA System
- Microphones (up to 6)
- Mic Stands (up to 6)
- Stage monitor
- Chairs (up to 6)
- CD/Flashdrive Playback equipment (cell phones may not be used to play music)
- Sound Operator
- Piano
- Piano Accompanist*
- Basic Stage Lighting
- Electricity
Any additional equipment must be provided by the students and at their own expense. Please contact the Foundation in advance to discuss technical needs at TeenTalentCompetition@foxpacf.org
*Acts must notify us in advance on their registration paperwork that they intend to use the piano accompanist that the Foundation provides. Acts using the accompanist will be asked to provide their sheet music in the correct key upon registering and in advance of the Preliminary Round.
College Scholarships & Cash Awards
2021 College Scholarships and Cash Awards:
1st Place $8,000 Scholarship
sponsored by Ameren
2nd Place $6,000 Scholarship
sponsored by John Russell
3rd Place $4,000 Scholarship
sponsored by Sally Johnston
Southeast Missouri State
Tuition Scholarship for all St. Louis Teen Talent Competition participants
Webster University
Tuition Scholarship to all Finalists
Prizes & Performance Opportunities
2021 Prizes & Performance Opportunities
SPECIAL AWARDS
Keep Art Happening Award
underwritten by Arts & Education Council
Poppy Award
underwritten by the Gupta-Trampe family to encourage the winner to continue
their artistic journey delivering joy and happiness to others
The Voss Family Originality Award
underwritten by Tom & Carol Voss for
the best original work in composition, writing, arranging or choreography
The Berges Classical Performance Award
underwritten by Jim & Cathy Berges
The Barrett Barrera Projects Dance Award
underwritten by Susan Barrett
“I” Award
underwritten by Terry & Sally Schnuck for
the most Imaginative, Inspired and Inventive act
The Terry Lynford Classical Music Scholarship
underwritten by Terry Lynford
The Kranzberg Vocal Performance Award
underwritten by Ken & Nancy Kranzberg
The Musical Theatre Scholarship Award
underwritten by Mary Strauss
MVP – Most Valuable Performer Award
underwritten by the Board of the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation
ADDITIONAL PRIZES
Ashleyliane Dance Company
Summer intensive and class tuition scholarships
Bach Society of St. Louis
Opportunity to engage in a side-by-side chorus rehearsal, participation in a vocal masterclass,
and/or performing in a Bach Society of Saint Louis choral concert
The Big Muddy Dance Company
Summer intensive Scholarship
The Chamber Music Society of St. Louis Award
A student or act may be selected for the opportunity to participate in a
Chamber Music Society of St. Louis concert during their upcoming season.
Capes Coaching
“Artists in Action” digital career planning program
Circus Harmony
Summer Camp Tuition
COCA
Class Tuition
DaySpring Arts & Education
Class Tuition
Gateway Center for Performing Arts
Class Tuition Scholarship
The Muny
Gift Certificate for two tickets to each Finalist
Saint Louis Ballet
Summer Dance Intensive Scholarship
STAGES Performing Arts Academy
Class Tuition
St. Charles Community College
Summer Program Scholarship
Generous Supporters
Thank you to all of the generous supporters of the
2020 St. Louis Teen Talent Competition
Event Sponsors:
Ameren Corporation Charitable Trust
FoxPACF Board of Directors
David & Julie Capes
Ron & Cheri Fromm
Sally Johnston
Ken & Nancy Kranzberg
Terry Lynford
Carl Nappa
John Russell
Terry & Sally Schnuck
Mary Strauss
Fred & Odile Tompkins
Tom & Carol Voss
Event Partners:
Donors:
Judges
2021 ST. LOUIS TEEN TALENT COMPETITION JUDGES!
Students will be reviewed by a panel of qualified judges at each round of the competition. Judges will select the best talent regardless of category (i.e. singer, actor, musician, dancer, band, comedian, magician, specialty act, etc.) The judging criteria at each level of competition will be:
- Technical Ability
- Interpretation
- Stage Presence: personality and confidence
- Originality
WHO ARE THE 2021 ST. LOUIS TEEN TALENT COMPETITION FINALIST JUDGES?
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT!
Semi-finalist Round Judges
Tali Allen – Director of Education at The Muny
Ed Coffield – Director, Faculty of the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University
Marc Gordon – Executive & Artistic Director and a founding member of the Chamber Music Society of St. Louis.
Darlean King – Vocalist with Unity Theatre Ensemble, The Legend Singers, The St. Louis Black Repertory Theatre
Erin Warner Prange – Executive Director at The Big Muddy Dance Company
Paul Reuter – Program Advisor at The Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries
Preliminary Round Judges
Ashley Tate– Artistic Director of Ashleyliane Dance Company (ADC)
Dominic Dowdy-Windsor– STAGES Performing Arts Academy Director of Education & Outreach Voice & Musical Theatre
Gary Bell– Artistic Director of Stray Dog Theatre
Gene Dobbs Bradford– CEO and President of Jazz St. Louis
Kelly Ging– COCA Teaching Artist
Maria Ellis-Collegiate Assistant Choral Director for the University Singers
Ron Gibbs– Development Officer for the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts at Webster University
Zoe VonderHarr– St. Louis Actress and Choreographer
St. Louis Teen Talent Competition
Production Team
Tony Parise
Director / Writer
Tony’s career began in St. Louis at the age of ten in the children’s chorus at The Muny. He went on to appear in the National tour of A Chorus Line and was on Broadway in 42nd Street, Me and My Girl, and City of Angels. Directing credits include Hello, Dolly! starring Madeline Kahn, Oliver! starring Ellen Greene, Me and My Girl starring Tim Curry among many, many others both nationally and abroad.
Archive of Previous Competitions
Follow each link below to learn about the past 11 Years of St. Louis Teen Talent Competitions
2020 St. Louis Teen Talent Competition
2019 St. Louis Teen Talent Competition
2018 St. Louis Teen Talent Competition
2017 St. Louis Teen Talent Competition
2016 St. Louis Teen Talent Competition
2015 St. Louis Teen Talent Competition
2014 St. Louis Teen Talent Competition
2013 St. Louis Teen Talent Competition
2012 St. Louis Teen Talent Competition
2011 St. Louis Teen Talent Competition
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