Regional Australia’s Got Talent too!

Visitors to towns like Byron Bay and Bangalow are continually amazed by how highly-skilled and talented the region’s arts community is, whether they’re involved in circus or animal acts, ventriloquists, ballet or belly dancers. From opera singers to drummers through to acrobats, comedians, magicians and street buskers – regional and rural Australia is brimming with a wealth of human talent waiting to be discovered… a sentiment shared by the Producers of Channel 7’s hit TV show Australia’s Got Talent! Yes, the top-rating TV series Australia’s Got Talent is back for another season and searching for the hottest yet-to-be-discovered talent in the country – and they’re not just looking for people in the big cities to star in their show – they want talented country folk, too! “We’re absolutely targeting talented people in regional and rural Australia and our Producers will be in Byron Bay for auditions early next month to meet with the region’s most talented,” said the program’s Spokesperson, Jo Rippon. “We’re particularly keen on finding people doing their talent in the renowned talent “hotspots” of Byron Bay, Bangalow, Nimbin and surrounds – because we know there’s a strong arts community there and we believe there’s a lot of gifted and skilled people hidden away in the hinterland. The show’s Producers say they know the talented folk are out there, be they juggling plates in someone’s backyard, fire-twirling by the beach or singing in the shower. "I’ve been visiting the region for years and know it is a very creative place and has some amazingly talented performers who have moved from all over Australia to have a different lifestyle. It’s just a matter of finding them and getting them to put a DVD together and send it in,” added Jo. “We’re looking for singles, couples, groups who’re the best at what they do, particularly if they’re the only one who does it – and we’re open to any kind of acts – the weird, the wild, the wacky and the wonderful!” Jo said approximately 120 acts are cast for the heats. “These will be filmed in an actual theatre in January next year and from those, our three judges will get one vote, and the general public get two votes, a bit like an idol format,” she said. She said anyone who truly has talent and stands out from the crowd could win. “About 40 acts get through to the semi-finals and again voted in by the judges and general public – it’s really an open book.”In terms of local talent applying, Jo said it would be great exposure for any up and coming performer. “But some people just want to get their head on TV, so a bit of fun for some,” she added. Jo is encouraging interested locals to attend the auditions next month (December 7), being held all day from 8am at the Byron Bay Entertainment Centre (at the Arts & Industry Estate). If you consider yourself an outstanding performer, or you know someone who is, this is an opportunity not to be missed. “You could be this country’s next big thing and win a quarter of million dollars prize money!” She’s urging locals to head to the <a href="http://www.australiasgottalent.com.au" title="Australia's Got Talent" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Australia’s Got Talent website</a> – fill out the application form and send it in with a DVD of their particular talent either by mail or email. Posted: Friday November 7, 2008

2008-11-07T02:48:47Z

2008-11-07T03:50:00Z

Got talent? Haven’t been discovered yet? This top-rating national TV show wants to hear from you!

877