Downtown Indy Announces New Circle Of Lights Audition Process

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Downtown Indy has announced a new - and easier - way to audition for its annual Circle of Lights event. Starting Sept. 1, Downtown Indy said interested performers can audition by submitting a two-minute, holiday-themed video. It's a chance to audition on your own time, in your own setting. According to a release, Indiana singers, dancers, entertainers, musicians, choral groups and more are invited to audition via video submission to perform at the 55th annual Circle of Lights Friday, Nov. 24 on Monument Circle.

"We really hope this will encourage more entertainers to audition since they can do it on their own time," Jennifer Hanson, senior communications director for Downtown Indy, said. "In the past, we held two open auditions. So if someone was out of town or had to work, they couldn’t audition. We look forward to the video submissions."

The two-minute, holiday-themed video auditions can be submitted Sept. 1 through Sept. 18. Here are the audition process guidelines, according to a release from Downtown Indy:

• Head to wthr.com/CircleOfLights to submit your video and online form.
• A video-recording day will be available Sept. 13 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 130 S. Meridian St. Acts must bring their own music and will be recorded for two minutes and videos will be submitted on site.
• Judges are looking for talent, visual presentation and stage presence.
• Video auditions should not exceed two minutes. This time limit will be strictly enforced when watching the videos. Acts chosen for the show will have approximately 3 minutes to perform, but for the sake of time, we must limit video auditions.
• A holiday theme is required (upbeat music preferred).
• A cappella acts are rarely chosen to advance, so please use recorded musical tracks while performing.

According to Downtown Indy, 20 finalists will be chosen and their videos will be posted online for the public to vote for their favorite Hoosier act, Sept. 22 through Oct. 1. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Indianapolis Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts and LIKE Indianapolis Patch on Facebook).

The performance with the most votes will automatically earn a spot in the final, invitation-only audition Wednesday, Oct. 11. A total of eight to 10 acts will perform live for judges.

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Acts are encouraged to have a second number prepared should they be invited to the live audition. Singers are advised not to perform a cappella.

Selected groups must commit to two evening rehearsal dates prior to the event and from 2:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the day of the event.

Downtown Indy reports a one-hour audition special, Circle of Lights: Indiana’s Got Talent will premiere Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. on WTHR-13. WTHR-13’s live coverage of the Circle of Lights, presented by IBEW #481 takes place on Monument Circle Friday, Nov. 24 at 7 p.m.

More information: Email vanessa@downtownindy.org or call (317) 237-2317.

(Image via Downtown Indy)