Durango! For those who can – or think they can – sing, here’s your chance to audition for a spot on “American Idol.”
The long-running singing competition on ABC that launched the careers of performers such as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Hudson is holding open-call auditions for singers across the country with its “Idol Across America.” Each state (and Washington, D.C.) has a dedicated audition day – Colorado’s date is Sept. 9.
Audition for ‘American Idol’!
WHAT: “Idol Across America” coming to Colorado via Zoom
WHEN: Sept. 9
WHERE: Online via Zoom
MORE INFORMATION: For eligibility details and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/257s82r4
And the best part? The auditions will be held over Zoom, so there’s no million-year-long schlep up the hill to the Front Range.
When a show hopeful signs up for a time slot, their initial audition over Zoom will be face to face with an “American Idol” producer.
Melissa Elfar is one of those producers. She said while Sept. 9 is Colorado’s official audition date, if that date doesn’t work for a singer, another time can be worked out. How the process works, she said, is pretty easy: Go to https://tinyurl.com/257s82r4, and select the Colorado date. From there, simply register and all the details – including a Zoom link that will get you into your audition – will be sent to you. Those between ages 15 and 28 are eligible to audition.
A word of advice: While it may be tempting to act in a way singers may think the producers are looking for, Elfar said ... don’t.
“I always encourage people to just be themselves,” she said. “Don’t do what you think we’re looking for because we’re not looking for anything specific. We’re looking for you, right? So we want to find that genuine, authentic artist. The cool thing about ‘American Idol’ is that we’re really looking for an artist, and we’re looking for your artistry.”
Singers are able to sing their own original songs or cover a favorite tune, Elfar said. They can play an instrument or have someone play for them or use a track.
“It’s your audition, and I always tell people like treat it like a job interview,” she said. “This is your audition. This Zoom could potentially change your life, so be prepared. Put your best foot forward. Bring your music. Remember, she said, this is a face-to-face audition, which is unique in that candidates are performing in front of real people, not just uploading a file into the ether and hoping for a response.
“The cool things about the virtual ‘Idol Across America’ auditions are that it’s a live audition,” Elfar said. “You will be in a Zoom room with an ‘American Idol’ producer, and so it’s not like we’re recording you and sending it somewhere. It gives everyone the chance to participate, and we love it. We’re so excited.”
And for Elfar, who’s been at this for 11 years, it’s the passion of the singers who audition and ultimately compete on “American Idol” who bring her – and audiences – back season after season. In fact, the show is headed into its 25th season.
“It’s the people. ... For me, what keeps me returning is having this opportunity to meet so many amazing people all across the country and hearing their stories,” she said. “It’s so inspiring to watch people chase their dreams and want to better their lives, and want to help their families, and want to just be the next American Idol. That’s what keeps the audience coming back – that’s what keeps everyone coming back because it’s so real, it’s so genuine. You just want to root for everybody, and I think that’s really the special part about the show.”
So, Durango, here’s your official invitation to audition. Good luck, and be sure to keep us posted.
katie@durangoherald.com
