Chicago America’s Got Talent 2009 Audition Experience

Seems like those people who auditioned in Chicago are the best at sharing their experience. I got the following experience shared on my website and it really tells a good story about how much this person enjoyed the America’s Got Talent audition experience:

About a month ago, March 1st, my Dad and I traveled to Chicago IL in order to audition for season 4 of America’s Got Talent. What an exciting opportunity that was! We arrived the 27th of February, did some sight seeing and ate at some nice restaurants, all in order to build up to the exciting day.

Sunday morning (The day of the Audition) we got up at 3am and were at McCormick Place (The Auditioning Area) by 4am. Waiting in the cold and as if that wasn’t bad, what happened next? It started snowing! I would have definitely loved seeing the beautiful snow falling if I was in the comfort of my own home, but alas, I was not. We were waiting basically in the street in the dark of the night, with nothing to do but wait for the time to come that we would actually be inside in the same area as the audition would take place!

To pass the time we chatted with the people in front of and behind us in line. Finding that they had traveled all the way from Nebraska! Wow! I thought we came a long way. A 6 hour drive from Metro Detroit MI! That was walking distance compared to Nebraska. Just kidding. Around 6am they opened the doors. We got inside of course and we waited, once more, in a very long line. Auditions still wouldn’t start until 8am. But guess what! They had a Starbucks inside! 4 to be exact! What’s better than waiting in a long line for hours at a time, than to do it with a Latte in hand!

While waiting, employees and volunteers passed around Release forms and paper work for any contestants who might not have finished theirs, or forgotten it and what not. Of course, due to my very organized mother, I had a folder piled an inch high with everything I needed. Other people passed around pens. Then some release forms for NON contestants were passed around. Why? They were filming the clips that would be aired along with the auditions on the TV! How exciting!

Time finally passed along and the line finally started moving. It was a very, very long line. I know I’ve said that several times but trust me… The line wrapped around the entire building. Literally. Finally we got down the steps. Contestants got a blue wrist band (Which I have in my folder still at this moment). And non contestants were given a Red wrist band (Which my dad basically ripped off the minute we left the building).

We passed a water fountain and just had to take pictures! It was pretty cool! Of course, the minute we stepped past the fountain, we had to put all cameras, cell phones, etc away so they weren’t in use. Past the fountain was what they called, “The Airport Detector”. We had to go through the same process you do at an airport. Removing all bags and shoes. They searched your bag and jacket. An interesting experience, and of course there were 2 lines. Male and Female. There was a shorter line for Females (Lucky us!) so I had to wait for about 20 minutes for my Dad to get through.

He came and we walked through the rope that signaled we were finally steps away from the audition rooms! I handed in my paper work and birth certificate to one of the people at the desk. They checked everything off. Handed it back and gave me a number!! Now, because we were there so early, I had one of the first numbers! My number (Which I also still have!) was 400125! I was the 125th person! That may seem like a long wait, but compared to the 5000 people that arrived for the audition, it’s better than nothing!

So we walked into a very large room! Filled with chairs and many people! All singing, juggling, playing instruments, dancing. It was such a sight! One of the men behind us in line sat down and his assistant immediately started putting makeup on him. What was he doing? He put bright blush and eye shadow. Lipstick and glittery fake eyelashes. A while later, the 2 men walked out to the restroom. As if that wasn’t off enough, 20 minutes later they arrived back again. Now the man with makeup was dressed in pink tights and a leotard and bright pink tutu. He had a short pink wig and did I mention his legs were shaved? Very creepy…

Minutes later, a camera crew came in and started filming. They asked everyone to gather around and scream “Chicago’s got Talent!” it was very fun! They went around the room filming different singers and dancers for clips! It was pretty crazy how everyone was waving their arms around trying to get the cameras attention. And Elvis! Did I mention there were at least 9 people dressed as Elvis impersonators! Oh doesn’t everyone love our King Elvis!

So we were called into the area where we were waiting before. This time there was a huge camera set up along with several other cameras. A Woman with a bullhorn started speaking. Long story short, we spent over an hour screaming Different things such as “We Love Chicago!” and “Americas Got Talent!” They also had a few people picked from the audience to say by them selves “I’ve Got Talent!” Including the Pink man!

Does anyone like Nick Cannon? Well as most know, he is the new host for Americas Got Talent! So they had a surprise for us! He was there! So everyone got to see him and all. It was pretty exciting. But not as exciting as the experience we were getting in auditioning.

More time passed and we were sent back into the waiting room where ANOTHER large group of people had taken all our seats. Too bad. Around 12:30 they FINALLY started calling in the first auditionees! Wait a second…weren’t the auditions supposed to start at 8am? Guess they were running a little bit late…

I was finally called in with 10 other singers like myself. 3 Judges sat in front of the room as well as a camera crew. I must admit, some of the singers were pretty bad. But 2 of them were really good. I hope they go through; if they don’t it would be a shame. One being a 20 year old African woman. She was really good. I was shocked with the voice that came out of her mouth! The others were pretty out of key and one man thought he was amazing, but he only knew how to sing in a very high pitched voice. Odd…. I was very confident with my audition as I said once before!

So it was finally over! When we were done, they let us know that we would get a message or call with in 4 to 6 weeks! That time is almost up!
We walked out of the building and on with the rest of our vaca time! Now whether I get through or not, I really enjoyed the experience.
It’s definitely ok if I don’t make it through. Yes I’ll be very disappointed but obviously there’s a reason. There’s always next year!
My name is Crystal Rosales, I’m 15, and I’ve had such an experience with just the audition alone!