March 4, 2009
America’s Got Talent Chicago Audition Experience
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The reviews and comments from the various audition cities are coming in. Check out the comments in previous posts to see other people’s experiences. Overall it seems like people are having a great great time and are really glad they auditioned for the show.
This was a really nice detailed experience which sheds some light on wait times you might expect if you’re getting ready for the America’s Got Talent New York Auditions.
Thanks for sending the experiences in. Hopefully people find these helpful and interesting. I know I’m completely fascinated by the experiences and process. It’s kind of like trying to see Oz behind the curtain.
America’s Got Talent Chicago Audition Experience
We went to the Chicago auditions on Sunday, March 1. We had a confirmed audition time of 2 PM but so did hundreds of others. From what I could gather, contestants had times of 8 AM or 2 PM and your place in line was entirely based on when you got there. No one there ever looked at the confirmation email. We got in line about 1 PM. My daughter’s actual audition took place about 10:15 PM; over 9 hours later. We spoke with a woman who’d arrived about 5 AM who completed her audition around 11:45 even though she was #5 and the auditions opened at 8 AM. I guess the first few hours were spent filming the outside shots and doing interviews. We were never involved in an outside shot in the afternoon. Good thing as it was really cold.
The guy who called out the numbers in the waiting room told me there were a total of 900 auditions on Sunday. My daughter had number XXXXX. We spend the first 4 hours or so waiting in line before getting registered. After we’d been herded down to the lobby area to complete the registration process, we sat in a large banquet room for hours with hundreds of others waiting to be called. In the morning and early afternoon I heard that singers were auditioned in groups of 10. At the end of the day they were being auditioned in groups of 20. Some groups had singers called back after the large group was done but it is hard to say if there really were second auditions on Sunday.
Once in the banquet room, performers were called out of the room in groups of 50 by number. A short time after numbers 600 to 650 had been called in for auditions, they decided to simply take all of the singers at once. That nearly cleaned out the room of performers as practically everyone was a singer. The remaining auditioners were considered variety and totaled less than 25. The large group of singers were taken together out of the banquet room into the lobby area. Once in the lobby, they were separated into 6 groups. Each group waited in line until they were taken back to an audition room. That process itself took over an hour. A guard told me there were about 6 audition rooms total with most being reserved for vocalists
When it was her turn to perform, I had to go into the room with her since she was a minor. The room was a small, carpeted conference room with a wooden floor set up in the center. It was a very good size for an act like ours. There were 3 people in the back of the room. One person was running the camera and another was definitely a judge. I’m not clear if the third was judging or simply there to operate the cd player or any other equipment needed for the performance. The (definite) judge was a friendly, attractive young woman and was very sympathetic about the late hour. Our act was 2:20 and she was allowed to complete it in spite of the 90 second limit. (I don’t know if anyone was NOT allowed to complete their song or act.) The judge told us she did an excellent job and clapped for her. It was nice to hear but not sure if it was significant. I asked her for any performance suggestions but she had none. It’s probably nothing that they do for auditions. She told us that the producers would look at all of the videos and that we would be contacted in 1 to 8 weeks if we were to receive a callback. Other people who auditioned right before us in the same room were told 6 to 8 weeks. And the website now states that performers will be contacted in the next 4 weeks. Go figure. Rumor has it that Chicago auditioners will be called back to New York City but it could be Miami.
It was a long day but my daughter thought it was fun and a good experience. Everyone around was friendly and interesting; especially the ventriloquist Alisha so it wasn’t all that boring. I’m sure we will see Alisha on the show.
A comment regarding a previous poster who auditioned in 30 minutes. The guy who called in the groups told me that Washington D.C. did not have the number of people auditioning that the other cities had. He thinks New York could be worse than Chicago.
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19 responses to "America’s Got Talent Chicago Audition Experience"
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Just a note: I listened to a producer give a newspaper interview right next to me, and he said they broke a record in Chicago on Sunday, with between 3,000 – 4,000 auditioners!!! Wow!!!
Look at the competition. I bet the show and the producers are happy.
Hey Crystal! I was lookingaround on other AGT sites and apparently you and your daughter had an interview…. the song she sang was marvelous !
I really like it and I hope that she does good!
AJ
Thanks, AJ!! She did a fantastic job at the Chicago audition. So many people, though, and so much competition, that I’ll know if she doesn’t make it to the next round it wasn’t because she wasn’t good.
The producers have their work cut out for them.
Yeah Crystal I can see what you mean… but in my mind its just gonna be harder for singers anyway… because there are just soooo many people that wann sing but can’t on American Idol because of age restricitions so thats why they come here! But the proucers for this show need some variety so … people singing really have to strut their stuff! lol! :p
AJ
Has anyone received any info from Chicago auditions yet?
Dusty, from reading the audition page, nobody from Chicago has been called back yet, or else they’re all keeping their mouths shut! I’ve heard Chi-town auditioners will be called back to Los Angeles for taping, so we have awhile to wait possibly.
I’m confused, I heard that they were already taping in New York so I’m assuming they already picked their
callbacks from LA also and they will go to Vegas next and then finals in LA So why are they still asking for video submissions up until May 5th???
we read on the Atlanta page they just started call backs on March 11 so maybe we all still have a chance…..Sit by the phones….
Anyone else have a myspace page? Mine is Dustymontgomery0315.
Christy,
I think they do the initial auditions in LA (and a number of other cities) for the celebrity judges, then they go to Las Vegas and then they go back to LA for the finale. At least that’s basically what they’ve done in past years.
So, right now they’re still talking about the initial auditions with the celebrity judges in LA which I don’t believe have occurred yet.
Also, if you sent in a video, they originally said video submissions would be getting called back at the end of April, but now that they’ve extended the deadline for video submission to May 5th, that could be even later. By the way, any idea when the season premiere will air?
If my memory serves me correct last season didn’t start until late June. I don’t think they’ve announced an official premiere date yet.
Has anyone heard if anyone had callbacks? When i went to audition, noticed that the producer would put little yellow sticky notes on the outstanding singers. THe singers that were in my group, had agents, and were professionals….i felt weird because i am just a singer ffrom a little amish town…
They’ve begun Chicago call backs, but the new updated “blue box” says the call backs will be completed in the next two weeks.
I was there to audition! I got a interview and everything! It was so fun!
Does anyone know where the October 09 audition call backs fron Chicago will be?
mary,
I have a feeling the show doesn’t even know yet either. They’ll notify you if you made it and where.
Ok, Went to the LA taping with the judges last nite, (March 13) I noticed that all the contestants for the show last nite where golden ticket auditions at the original auditions in LA including the performer I was a guest of. The golden ticket is a pass to the front of the line and the holders (there where alot of them) actually had an appointment time to apear instead of waiting with every one else. They where treated as individuals rather than groups of contestants. So here is my question, did any of the general auditions get call backs? or is this thing rigged and just using every one there as TV. I would like to hear from people if they’ve gotten call backs. Here’s a copy of the guest letter we got to appear, even we had special admittance.
Welcome to
America’s Got Talent Season 5!
We look forward to having you as one of our guests
Please read the following before coming to the taping.
Your name will be on the Guest list,
you will not require an actual ticket.
Your arrival time is: 5:45 pm on Saturday March 13th. It is very important for you to be in your seat by 6:00 pm. If you are not seated by that time your seat will be given up. (Please make sure you give yourself enough time for traffic, to find parking, and to get through the check-in table). Check in with me, [REMOVED], at the main entrance to the Orpheum. There will be two lines. Please make sure you are in the VIP line.
We tape at:
The Orpheum Theater
842 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014
The Age limit for the show is 16 (in some cases we can take as young as 10 years old but that will is the lowest we can go this season).
DRESS CODE IN EFFECT! Hip, upscale attire is mandatory. You will be on camera so it is very important that you dress nicely! When you look great, the show looks great! No shorts, t-shirts, or hats. We’d prefer you don’t wear jeans. Absolutely no white attire or clothing with logos or writing will be allowed into the studio. Absolutely no cell phones, camera, or pagers will be allowed inside. Security will confiscate them temporarily while you are participating in the studio audience.
ABSOLUTELY no open-toed shoes of any kind will be allowed inside the studio for safety reason. You will be turned away if you wear them; this includes high heels, platforms, sandals and flip flops. Please wear flat, close-toed shoes.
PARKING
Park in lot I located at 230 W. 9TH Street, located on the corner of 9th St. and Hill St. A Parking pass will not be required.
PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PARK AT THE THEATRE, EVERYONE WILL BE TURNED AROUND AND DIRECTED TO THE APPROPRIATE PARKING AREA. THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Everyone 16 years of age or older must have a valid, government issued I.D. in order to be admitted.
You will NOT be permitted to bring any large bags or backpacks inside. Please leave them in your car. The producers reserve the right to refuse admission and/or search any individual and his/her possessions. Smoking, drinking, and eating are strictly prohibited. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, DON’T FORGET TO BRING YOUR BRIGHTEST SMILES AND ALL OF YOUR ENERGY!!!
If you have any further questions, email [REMOVED] at [REMOVED]