Palm Beach Idols Auditions to Take Place 6/16; Performances 7/21

Auditions for Palm Beach Idols – the popular Palm Beach County talent show for performers of all ages – will take place on Saturday, June 16, from noon to 8 p.m. at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre.

The Theatre, in conjunction with the Maltz Jupiter Theatre Guild, is producing its ninth annual regional take on the television show American Idol on Saturday, July 21, at 7:30 p.m.

Performers of all ages and talents – singers, dancers, musicians, comedians and more – are encouraged to audition for a chance to win cash prizes. There will be three categories: youth, teen and adult. Each category will have three finalists decided by panel of local celebrity judges. The final winners will be determined by an audience vote.

"The guild loves this opportunity to bring the best talent in South Florida to our stage, and the acts get better and better each year," says Eileen Weissmann, the event's producer and guild board member. "It's always a wonderful show, and contestants have the chance to win money and media exposure. We would love to see the next big star discovered at our Theatre."

Previous contestants have gone on to star in Broadway shows such as Beauty and the Beast and Mary Poppins, and previous teen winner Anthony Espina has gone on to a successful career as a movie composer.

The event will be emceed by radio host Kathy Greene, program director and on-air personality for Jupiter's hometown radio station WJTW-FM, and radio veteran Tim Byrd, owner of the voiceover site VoxPower.com and publisher of the popular local blogsite PalmBeachLiveWorkPlay.com. Celebrity judges include Rachel Leigh of WFLX-TV FOX29, Tim Allen Walker of KOOL 105.5-FM's morning show, Michele Wright of WPEC CBS12, Leslie Gray Streeter of The Palm Beach Post and Carol Saunders of The Jupiter Courier Newsweekly.

"I have worked with and discovered some very big talent during my years working in radio, TV and entertainment, and I am elated to be a part of this year's Palm Beach Idols at The Maltz Jupiter Theatre," Byrd said. "You never know what can happen, and I am a big believer of 'going for it' when it comes to dreams. I'd like to encourage everyone to audition or buy tickets for this spectacular event!"

The show is an annual fundraiser for the guild, which raises money to support the not-for-profit Theatre and its Paul and Sandra Goldner Conservatory of Performing Arts. The Conservatory offers classes taught by Broadway-caliber instructors in dance, voice, acting and musical theatre for students of all ages, including summer camps.

Audition appointments are mandatory. To schedule June 16 audition, email idolsauditions@jupitertheatre.org.

Tickets for the 2012 Palm Beach Idols are $25 and are currently on sale. For information about tickets, visit www.jupitertheatre.org or call the box office at (561) 575-2223. For information about joining the Guild, call (561) 972-6106.