Auditions are now open for the Morning Pointe Foundation’s 3rd Annual Knoxville Seniors Got Talent variety show at The Bijou Theatre on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.
All talented seniors age 62 and up in the Knoxville area are encouraged to try out. Acts have included singers, musicians, dancers, poets, comedians and more. The grand prize winner will receive $500. Prizes will also be given to second- and third-place winners, as well as a People’s Choice winner determined by attendee votes.
In-person auditions will take place Oct. 2-6 at local Morning Pointe Senior Living campuses:
- Oct. 2, 2-4 p.m. at Morning Pointe of Knoxville (865-223-6422) and The Lantern at Morning Pointe of Knoxville (865-343-0757) – at 9647 and 9649 Westland Drive, Knoxville, TN 37922
- Oct. 3, 2-4 p.m. at Morning Pointe of Hardin Valley (865-343-0081) – at 2449 Reagan Road, Knoxville, TN 37931
- Oct. 4, 1-4 p.m. at Morning Pointe of Powell (865-686-5771) and The Lantern at Morning Pointe of Powell (865-343-0089) – at 7700 and 7710 Dannaher Drive, Powell, TN 37849
- Oct. 5, 1-3 p.m. at Morning Pointe of Lenoir City (865-988-7373) and The Lantern at Morning Pointe of Lenoir City (865-271-9966) – at 155 and 198 Morning Pointe Drive, Lenoir City, TN 37772
- Oct. 6, 2-4 p.m. at The Lantern at Morning Pointe of Clinton (865-457-4005) – 960 S. Charles G. Seivers Blvd., Clinton, TN 37716
Auditions can also be submitted online at morningpointefoundation.com/events/seniors-got-talent through Oct. 9.
“We can’t wait to see the talented seniors in our Knoxville area who share with us this year,” said Miranda Perez, Morning Pointe Foundation executive director. “If you’re 62 years young or older and have always wanted to perform, this is a great chance to shine. And what better place than at the beautiful Bijou Theatre?”
Acts showcasing talents of all kinds are welcome but should not exceed three minutes in length. Ten seniors or groups will ultimately be selected to perform in the big show.
Ted Hall, evening anchor and managing editor at WVLT-TV Channel 8, is returning for the second time as master of ceremonies.
Tickets for the Morning Pointe Foundation Seniors Got Talent show will be $10 and will go on sale in October.
Proceeds go to the Morning Pointe Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Morning Pointe Senior Living. The 501(c)3 nonprofit public service organization was created in 2014 to provide caregiver support programs, sponsor educational awareness events, and fund clinical scholarships to advance the care of seniors throughout the Southeast.
Founded in 1997 by Greg A. Vital and J. Franklin Farrow, Morning Pointe Senior Living owns and operates 37 assisted living, and Alzheimer’s memory care communities in five southeastern states. These include eight in the greater Knoxville area: Knoxville, Powell, Hardin Valley, Clinton and Lenoir City.
Last year’s Seniors Got Talent, Knoxville showcase highlighted some amazing winners. First place and the $500 cash prize went to pianist Deborah Cable, who performed a medley of “Rustle of Spring” and “Clair de Lune.” Second place went to singing pianist Wayne Pugh, who performed “I Know the Lord Will Make a Way.” The Early Morning String Dusters bluegrass band took third place for their performance of “No Hiding Place.” Lastly, Henry Boerner took home the People’s Choice Award, receiving the most audience votes for his Elvis impression of “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”
The Morning Pointe Foundation also hosts Seniors Got Talent competitions in Chattanooga and Franklin, Tennessee, as well as in Lexington, Kentucky.
Those who wish to inquire about VIP sponsorships should contact Miranda Perez at 423-238-5330.