Dates Set For McCallum Theatre's Open Call Talent Project

PALM DESERT, CA — The McCallum Theatre's Open Call Talent Project, an annual competition featuring local, non-professional artists and groups, will be held in April, officials announced Thursday.

The competition will feature three performances on April 20 and 21 in the McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive. Tickets, which will become available Friday, can be purchased at the theater's box office and online at mccallumtheatre.org.

"To have local aspiring artists collaborate, learn, and perform on the McCallum stage and share their work with the larger community is the main goal of Open Call," theatre officials wrote in a statement. "And McCallum Theatre Education leans on the support of a large group of generous sponsors and returning audience members who help make Open Call a reality on an annual basis."

The show will feature 42 community members between 8 and 79 years old, performing solo as or as members of a groups. The finalists include Doug Arbulu, Michael Blake, Richard Caldera, Kimberly Cofer, Isabella Gaxiola, Vincenza Gist, Victoria Mendoza, Isabelle Martinez, Lara Marriott and Daniel Stewart.

"Our ambition is to produce an engaging show that highlights the value of the performing arts, spotlights local residents and inspires a greater sense of community valley-wide," the event's producer and McCallum's vice president of education Kajsa Thuresson-Frary said in a statement.

Applicants had to be at least 8 years old, reside within a 45-mile radius of the theater, not make over 50% of their wages from performing and commit to the schedule posted on the theater's website. The finalists will rehearse in March and just before the show gets underway.

A cash stipend will be given to all finalists and they will compete for a grand prize of $5,000, a second place or audience favorite award of $2,500, or the talent achievement award of $750.

More information can be found at mccallumtheatre.org/index.php/education/open-call.