A platform for young artists. A safe place for community.

Contestants compete in one of two divisions: Ages 11 & Under or Ages 12–18. Age is determined as of October 3, 2026. A group containing contestants from different age divisions will compete in the division of its oldest member.

Eligible acts include Rap, R&B/Singing, Dance, Comedy, Spoken Word, and Musician performances. Solo and group acts are welcome.

Auditions take place Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 2:00–6:00 PM at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, 104 17th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144. Registrants will receive an exact five-minute appointment. Contestants should arrive 15 minutes early. Late arrivals and missed appointments may not be rescheduled.

Each appointment is five minutes total. The performance may be no longer than three minutes, leaving time for setup and transition. Setup and breakdown must take no more than one minute.

Contestants may not use streaming-only music or any music that is not downloaded and ready. Performances may not include explicit, sexually graphic, threatening, or otherwise youth-inappropriate material. Fire, flames, smoke, fog machines, weapons, or realistic weapon replicas are prohibited. Liquids, glitter, confetti, powders, paint, or anything that creates a cleanup or slipping hazard are not allowed. Dangerous stunts, animals, large set pieces, or equipment that cannot be set up and removed within one minute are also prohibited. Talk of the Town provides basic sound playback only and does not provide beats, instrumentals, backing tracks, song files, personal instruments, cables, specialty equipment, or any other venue equipment beyond basic sound playback.

Originals and covers are permitted at auditions. Original material is encouraged. Contestants are responsible for having permission to use any music, writing, choreography, or other material they submit or perform.

Acts will be evaluated on talent and skill, stage presence, originality or creative interpretation, preparation, and audience appropriateness. Judges’ advancement decisions are final.

Up to 20 acts may advance from auditions to the semifinals. Semifinal decisions are expected within 48 hours after auditions. The semifinals are scheduled for Sunday, November 1, 2026, at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute. Twelve acts will advance to the finals. Finalist requirements, performance limits, mentoring opportunities, and the confirmed finals date and location will be provided separately.

Finals prizes are Grand Prize / 1st Place — $1,500 cash; 2nd Place — $500 cash; and 3rd Place — $250 cash. Additional custom artist development prize packages may also be awarded. Cash prizes are awarded at the finals. Winners may be required to complete standard prize documentation before payment.

Every contestant under 18 must have permission from a parent or legal guardian. A parent or legal guardian must accompany the contestant at auditions. For group acts, every contestant under 18 must have guardian permission before advancing.

The competition may be recorded as a live taping. Participation in later rounds requires a signed participation and media release from each contestant and, for minors, a parent or legal guardian. Recording permission does not transfer ownership of a contestant’s original song, writing, choreography, or other original material.

Contestants may request reasonable accessibility accommodations in the registration form. The organizers will contact the registrant if more information is needed.

Submitting a registration does not guarantee an audition appointment or advancement. Contestants must follow venue policies and organizer instructions. Talk of the Town may adjust schedules, performance order, format, or event details when necessary and will communicate material changes to registrants.

Call 206-459-4298 with registration or audition questions.