Preparing For Your Audition

If you pre-registered and picked a day and the time you want to arrive for your audition and you are confirmed. You should also download the paperwork you need and bring it with you.

We will try to email you to remind you of the date but sometimes our emails are mistakenly marked as spam by your internet service provider, mail server, or email software.

Most junk mail filters will let emails through that have been manually placed by you in your email system's address book.  In order to make sure you get our emails, go to the address book in your email program and add "America's Got Talent" with the email address of  "[email protected]"

If you're working with Outlook, Window's Mail, Mac Mail, or any similar email application and if you find America's Got Talent emails in your Junk Mail folder, you should have the ability to right-click on its line in the list, and select the email as 'Not Junk'. You'll then have the opportunity to add the sender or the address they sent from to a "safe" list so that they will not be marked as junk in the future.

In some online applications such as Gmail, AOL and Yahoo, the folder is called 'Spam' and all you have to do is go to this folder, check the box next to the email that's going to the Spam folder and click on the "Not Spam" button.

Our emails will always come from the following email address: [email protected] Please do not reply to this address. It's for outgoing email only

Remember these are open auditions. Even if you miss your time you can still come.  Pre-registration is not mandatory. You can always just show up at the venue.  The address is on each city's page. Our auditions are open to the public and are "first-come/first-serve." You will be seen in the order you arrive.  Typically, registration opens by 8am and continues until 7pm each day, but check the city page that your auditioning in for more accurate times.

In some cities we hold open auditions for two days.  If one day doesn't work for you, and you want to come the other day, that is fine.  Just come the day that works best for you. If you miss the arrival time you picked, no worries. Just come when you can.

Our auditions are open to the public and are "first-come/first-serve" and you will be seen in the order you arrive.  Typically registration opens by 8 am and continues until 7 pm each day, however check the city page you are auditioning in for hours in that city.

You may change your audition city by re-registering here and choosing your new desired audition city.

You may continue to get email confirmations from both cities until we can switch you out in our database. Don;t worry about it.

If you pre-register with us online, we make every effort to ensure that we see your talent.  If our records indicate you missed your audition, we will try to contact you via email or phone to let you know about other cities where we are holding auditions.  Occasionally the records may not match up right. There may be a typo in the record, for instance, or you used a different email address to pre-register than what you provided us the day you had your audition.

IF YOU ALREADY HAD A FIRST ROUND AUDITION, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO AUDITION AGAIN UNLESS YOU ARE MOVING ON IN THE COMPETITION. IF YOU ARE MOVING ON, WE WILL BE VERY CLEAR THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SELECTED TO MOVE TO THE NEXT ROUND.

PLEASE DISREGARD ANY EMAILS OR PHONE CALLS INVITING YOU TO ANOTHER CITY, IF YOU ALREADY AUDITIONED.

If you have any questions about this, please email us.

Yes. Our auditions are open to anyone, any age and any talent so long as the person meets our eligibility requirements. However, we strongly suggest that you pre-register for your audition.

By pre-registering, you'll be prepared with all of the available forms, paperwork and latest information which will make your day will go much smoother.

America's Got Talent producers travel the country holding open auditions.  Here's a list of the cities we will be going to this year.

However, local NBC stations around the country will be holding their own auditions and contests.  While the America's Got Talent producers will not be running these events and they do not have a direct connection to our show, the TV stations will send us video of acts that perform.  We still encourage you to come meet us or send in a video of your act.

The station's dates and events are subject to change and are operated at their sole discretion. You should check their web sites for the latest information about their events.

• Everyone under 18 attending the audition will be required to present a photo ID. Minor contestants and supporters may use a school ID or acceptable substitute (such as a yearbook page that includes a printed name with a photo AND a birth certificate). If the minor is too young to have a photo ID, then the parent or guardian should present a photo ID & the child’s birth certificate that includes the parents name with the child’s name on the certificate.
• All minors, contestants and supporters, MUST have permission from their parents or legal guardian to audition AND must be accompanied by one of their parents or their legal guardian.

• FOR MINORS WHO ARE AUDITIONING:
  • If the parent or legal guardian of the under 18 minor is unable to attend, and is allowing the minor to attend the audition under the supervision of a third-party (such as a coach), you MUST do two things:
    • 1) Download and complete the Guardianship and Medical Authorization for Minors form and get it NOTARIZED by a notary public (typically at banks or mailing stores, or search your local directory) and bring it with you on the day of your audition.
    • 2) Designate the third-party acting as guardian on our Personal Release Form
    • 3) Both documents must be signed by the parent and/or legal guardian and the third-party acting as guardian.
• FOR MINORS WHO ARE COMING TO THE AUDITION BUT NOT AUDITIONING:
  • If the parent or legal guardian of the under 18 minor is unable to attend, and is allowing the minor to attend the audition under the supervision of a third-party (such as a coach), you MUST do two things:
    • 1) Download and complete the Guardianship and Medical Authorization for Minors form and get it NOTARIZED by a notary public (typically at banks or mailing stores, or search your local directory) and bring it with you on the day of your audition.
    • 2) Designate the third-party specifically on our Basic Release Form, with a special signature by the parent or legal guardian and the third-party acting as guardian.

Contestants under 18 must have permission from their parents or legal guardian to audition and must be accompanied by one of their parents or their legal guardian.

All minors attending the audition will be required to present a photo ID. Minor contestants may use a school ID or acceptable substitute (such as a yearbook page that includes a printed name with a photo AND a birth certificate). If the contestant is too young to have a photo ID, the parent or guardian should present a photo ID & the child’s birth certificate that includes the parents name with the child’s name on the certificate.

Contestants under 18:

• 1) Photo ID
• 2) Completed Personal Release Form (with parent signature)
• 3) If the minor contestant's parent or guardian will not be at the audition: Notarized and completed Guardianship and Medical Authorization for Minors form. If the parent or guardian will be there, you do not need to get this notarized.
• 4) If the minor contestant's parent or guardian will not be at the audition: Make sure Personal Release Form is signed by parent AND third-party.

America's Got Talent is open to any age and any talent, but we choose not to collect personal information from anyone under the age of 13 years old on the internet.  However, you can have a parent or legal guardian pre-register, sign up for audition alerts online, or submit audition videos (when applicable) using their name and personal information.

If you want to attend an open call:

You can have a parent or legal guardian pre-register online using their name and personal information.

OR

You can register on-site at the open call venue with your parent or legal guardian with you. Our open calls are first-come/first-seen and everyone who is eligible will be seen in the order they arrive. Check out each city's page for venue information and details. In addition, there is special paperwork that is required for any performer under 18. Please see our paperwork page.

If you want to submit a video:

You can do so by mailing us the video. See the "submit a video" page for all the details on how to mail us a video.

The Paperwork and an ID.  But please read the paperwork page carefully for all the information you need especially if anyone you are coming to the audition with is under 18.  That means an act or a supporter.

The list of prohibited items below is not exhaustive and even if an item is not listed below, the producers and security reserve the right to ask you to remove any such item from the venue.

People in possession of prohibited items will be denied admission to the line and to the venue and may be subject to immediate disqualification. All bags are subject to search:

• Coolers of any kind unless for medical reasons
• Fireworks
• Props that must be used with fire or pyro
• Weapons of any kind (including pocket knives, “army knives” or Swiss Army-type knives and all swords)
• Sharp tools
• Mace, pepper spray, or similar items
• Illicit drugs or alcohol

We are sorry, but during this first round of auditions we cannot have fire, swords, or other sharp objects at the venue. If you have prop or dull swords, knifes, or other props that appear dangerous but are not, or if you need sharp tools (i.e screwdrivers, scissors, etc) to do your act, please notify our security staff and we will try to accommodate you. Please bring a DVD of your act if your act does include these elements. If you are chosen to go through to the second round, you will be able to use your props and/or pyrotechnics if approved in advance by Producers.

There will be roving cameras interviewing contestants, their families and supporters inside and outside of the audition venues, so dress to impress for your NBC prime-time debut. If appropriate to your act, wear something that will make you stand out in a crowd.  If possible, you should arrive in the outfit or costume you plan to wear for your audition.

If you are selected to move on in the competition, you will be asked to wear the same outfit for our celebrity judges.

DO NOT wear LOGOs of any kind, including sports teams, designer names, or company logos. Contestants, friends and family members wearing logos will be asked to cover or remove the articles of clothing.

As part of the show, we will shoot several group shots with everyone, including a welcome to each city, so be prepared to spend some time outside. Favor brighter colors over drab, dark colors and ask your family and friends to do the same. This is your chance to stand out.

Auditioning for America's Got Talent is completely free. Sure you still need to get to the venue, and maybe get a hotel for the night if it's a long drive, but we cannot reimburse you for your expenses. But if anyone is claiming they are with the show and want to charge you money to audition please contact us right away.

If you make it beyond the first round of auditions, we will discuss with you in detail how we reimburse for travel arrangements as you progress in the competition.

ALL contestants must be a United States citizen, legal permanent resident of the United States, or possess a current employment authorization card (EAD card). If you are not a United States citizen, you will be asked to provide proof of legal residency and/or proof of your right to work in the United States in connection with your participation in the program.

Each season you must re-submit your video or audition in a city to be considered for the show.

Yes.  You can send in a video and also appear in person at one of our city auditions.

We understand that not everyone can take time away from their jobs and lives to join us for the day of auditions, but we highly encourage everyone to come.

Please alert the producers that there would be additional members of your act should you move on to the next round.

If you are missing key members of your act, we encourage you to bring a DVD of your whole group performing.

Yes. If you have an animal act, please go to the paperwork section of our web site and fill out the Animal Information Form.

You must indicate the type of animal(s) you will be performing with so we can make the appropriate arrangements on our end.

Each state has different rules and regulations for performing animals, so fill out the form as soon as possible.

You also must bring paperwork to prove the animals’ inoculations are up-to-date.

If you have a big set-up, please click here to fill out a form to tell us more about what you require. If we can accommodate you, we will contact you.

At the very least, please come to the audition dressed in your normal performance costume or wardrobe and bring a DVD of your act.  That way we can meet you.  We will watch up to 90 seconds of the DVD and that will be submitted as your audition.

We are sorry, but during this first round of auditions we cannot have fire at the venue.  If you have prop swords, knifes, or other props that appear dangerous but are not, please alert the staff and we will try to accommodate you. Also, there will not be any rigging for aerial acts. However, if you are chosen to go through to the second round, you will be able to use your props, fire and have the option of rigging if approved in advance by Producers.  Please bring a DVD of your act if your act does include these elements and the Producers will watch it.

Due to time constraints in this initial phase of the audition process, we only allow for limited acoustic set ups.  This means you must hand-carry your instruments into the audition room in one trip.  If your band does not typically play acoustically, we ask you to come to your audition dressed in your normal performance costume or wardrobe, and to bring a DVD of your act. We will watch up to 90 seconds of the DVD.

You can also submit a video online of your act to the program.

That said, if you have a big set-up please click here to fill out a form to tell us more about what you require. If we can accomodate you, we will contact you.

Yes. You will be allowed to perform at your audition with your musical instrument, but you WILL NOT be allowed to plug in any instruments, so MAKE SURE IT'S ACOUSTIC or is portable and has a self-contained amplifier.

For those needing a keyboard, we will make reasonable efforts to provide one for you in the audition room (Usually a Yamaha Motif-8 keyboard or Roland Fantom x8).  We do not allow programming of the keyboard with your own sequences. You can, however, play to an audio CD if needed.

If you are in a band and have multiple and/or non-acoustic instruments, we advise you to come to the audition with all members of the band and bring a DVD for producers to watch in the audition room.

That said, if you have a big set-up please click here to fill out a form to tell us more about what you require. If we can accommodate you, we will contact you.

Due to the amount of time it takes to set up a drum kit, we have found that a DVD of your drumming or band's performance works much better for you and us. A DVD will allow you the time at home to tune and adjust your levels and will give us a more accurate representation of your talent than you would get in our audition room where no sound checks are allowed.  The DVD does not have to be of professional quality. It can be as simple as your friend taping you at home or a prior show at which you have performed.

If you would still like to play something "live" in the audition room, you may bring a portion of the drum kit (ex: a snare and hi-hat) so that you are able to literally ‘walk in and play'. Due to the amount of auditions we need to conduct, NO SET UP TIME WILL BE ALLOWED!  We have had some acts bring in a drum kit on a 4x4 dolly, but again you need to be able to roll it into the audition room in one trip.

Should you move on to the next round, you will be able to use a drum kit provided by the show.

Generally, singers are asked to sing their one song a capella (without a backing track). We have found that backing tracks overpower vocals and hinder your audition instead of helping it. You should prepare a verse and a chorus for your audition. You do not need to start your song at the beginning. Please pick a section of the song that best shows off your voice. It is always a good idea to have a few songs ready as a back-up incase the Producer asks to hear them.

THERE WILL ALSO NOT BE A MICROPHONE FOR SINGERS UNLESS YOU ARE PERFORMING TO A TRACK BY SINGING AND DANCING OR PLAYING THE PIANO. 

However, you may use a backing track if you sing and dance at the same time. In addition, rappers can use their own beats. Otherwise, it is up to the Producer’s discretion if and when a track is permitted. Playing an instrument (for example a piano, guitar, etc.) while singing is always allowed.

We have two different types of flooring available in the audition rooms: carpet and parquet dance floors.  The dance floor size depends on the venue. They are typically between 15' x 15' to 21' X 21.'   If you want a room with a dance floor, you should let us know when you get called to the audition rooms.

If your act uses music (singer, dancer, band, group, musician, variety performer, etc.), we advise you to pick music that is very well known.  Generally the judges and audience respond better to music they know.

Even the Rolling Stones open their shows with an old classic and not their new material.

However, each act on our show is unique and different and the final decision is up to you.