AGT 16 Virtual Open Call

Frequently Asked Questions

Due to safety regulations and restrictions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will not be conducting open call auditions for Season 16 of America's Got Talent. But not to worry, you will still be able to have the chance to have your talent seen by producers by attending a virtual open call audition ("Virtual Audition"), from the safety of your own home, through Zoom Video Communications. You can register for your Virtual Audition HERE. 
Once you successfully registered for an audition date and time, you are confirmed. You can find all the information about your audition by signing into your Performer Profile.

Please add our email, "auditions@agtauditions.com" to your address book to ensure that any emails from us do not end up in your spam or junk mail folders. We will send you a confirmation email when you register, and closer to the audition day we will send you a link to enter into the Virtual Auditions.

You may have selected a time when you signed up, however this is NOT your audition time. We use these times to help regulate the arrival of all participants. You will be auditioned on a "first come - first seen" basis. However, to decrease wait times for you and all the other performers, please try to come at around the time you selected.
Our auditions are open to anyone, any age, and any talent as long as all eligibility requirements are met.

We ask that you sign up on our website so we know you will be attending and can send you the link to enter into the Virtual Audition. By registering online, you will be able to complete the required forms in advance and also receive the most up-to-date information about your audition date. We want to make sure your audition day goes as smoothly as possible. If you arrive via a link that was sent to you and have not registered, someone from our staff will walk you through the registration process.

We are glad you asked! We have an entire page dedicated to Eligibility Requirements - you can find that here.
Everyone is welcome to audition for AGT, no matter where in the world you call home! To audition on stage for the judges, all performers must be either a United States citizen, legal permanent resident of the United States, possess a current employment authorization card (EAD card) or be in the United States legally at the time of their audition. 

For more details, please read the Eligibility Requirements.

You will need a computer, phone or tablet with an internet connection capable of running the Zoom software. Data rates may apply for downloading and using Zoom, including the duration of your audition and any waiting time on your Virtual Audition date. We find Zoom runs better on a computer than on phones, and audio is best when you use ear buds, or some kind of earphone, but this is not required. 
If you have a laptop or a desktop computer, you do not need to download the Zoom Software.

If you are planning to audition on a mobile phone or tablet, you will need to download the Zoom app (www.zoom.us). You can find this application on the Apple Store or Google Play Store and set up a free account.

If you are under 16, a parent or legal guardian should download and register for Zoom, if necessary. 

While it is not required, for the health and safety of all performers, we ask that you audition from your home, in a room of your choice, or in your own backyard, but preferably where you have a strong internet connection.

Please be sure you have removed any artwork, photos, or other decorations from the walls in the background so they are not seen on camera. No matter the location you select for your Virtual Audition please be sure you are following all local orders, regulations and restrictions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

If you have a conflict the entire day of auditions (including all hours we are auditioning - typically 9am to 6pm), and are unable to attend your audition, you can submit an online audition that will be reviewed by a producer or you can choose to audition on a different date. Sign into your Performer Profile to upload a video or change the date of your Virtual Open Call Audition, if dates remain available.
*Due to health and safety concerns relating to the COVID-19 global pandemic, we strongly discourage groups of any size gathering for a Virtual Audition.

We recommend groups to submit a pre-existing video online instead of gathering for a live Virtual Audition. We are accepting older videos as we understand that it has been challenging to film with large groups in 2020. 

When you submit your online audition, only ONE member should register on behalf of the group. This is because your group only needs one Performer Profile in our system.

After you complete the online registration, we will send you a confirmation email with your scheduled Virtual Audition day. Prior to your Virtual Audition date, we will send you another email that will have an internet link to the Virtual Audition waiting room. Consider that email your ticket! You can request to resend the email with the link by signing into your Performer Profile.
Please click your Virtual Audition link as close to the time you selected as possible. Doing so will help ensure wait times for you and all other acts remain manageable. There are no negative ramifications for showing up early, but we want to make sure you do not miss your Virtual Audition by showing up too late! 

When you register for a Virtual Audition, you will select an audition date and window of time. You can click the Virtual Audition Link at the start of your Virtual Audition time window if you registered for a time window that day. You will then be in an online waiting room until you are admitted into the Virtual Audition room, where you will see one or more producers for whom you will audition.

Keep in mind that there is no guarantee that you will be admitted for a Virtual Audition room regardless of whether or not you have registered. Producers reserve the right to audition people out of order of their scheduled time.

We plan to "open the virtual doors" around 9am and close them at 6pm Pacific Time. Hours may vary from date to date. Should you miss the arrival time you selected, you are still more than welcome to enter the Virtual Auditions, provided it is within audition hours. Auditions are "first come, first seen."
Producers will do their best to get to each performer during their scheduled time slot, but you should plan to keep the entire day open in case of technical issues or other delays.
You will NOT be performing for our America's Got Talent celebrity judges for the Virtual Auditions. The Virtual Auditions are with one or more of our America's Got Talent Producers.
You will be given UP to 90-seconds to audition. Please keep in mind that this is YOUR opportunity to show us your talent, so please come prepared. Practice your audition ahead of time so we see the best and most exciting parts of your performance. Producers reserve the right to modify allotted times for auditions at their sole discretion.
Yes. You can submit a video AND attend a Virtual Audition. 
Yes! All auditions are recorded and may be used in any manner, like promoting America's Got Talent on the show website, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook accounts, or may be used in the show itself. 
There are no restrictions on the number of times you can audition as the same "act" - as long as it is not more than once in the same day. Each act can only audition once on each Virtual Audition date in addition to an online submission. You must also register for any additional Virtual Audition dates in order to receive access to additional Virtual Audition dates. 
* We highly discourage groups from congregating to audition and prefer you submit an online audition.

If you submit a video as a group, but also want to do a solo performance for our Virtual Auditions, that is not a problem. It's best that you register for yourself if you're planning to attend a solo Virtual Audition, in addition to submitting a video submission for your group act. Please note that you will need a different email address for each registration.

Yes, anyone of any age is welcome to participate in the Virtual Auditions. If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian, who is 21 years of age or older, MUST be with you at all times including in the room during your Virtual Audition.
You should be the only person in the room for your Virtual Audition. However, you may have one (1) member of your household in the room with you to provide accompaniment for your audition, with a musical instrument (e.g., piano or guitar). If provided, this person MUST already be a member of your household, who currently resides with you. Additionally, if you are under 18 years of age, your parent, or legal guardian MUST be in the room with you. 

Anyone else present in the room for your Virtual Audition must also sign an appearance release. If the household member providing musical accompaniment is under 18, their parent or legal guardian must also be present.

Please do not wear any clothing or have any items that have designer names, corporate or sports team names or logos, copyrighted images, celebrity names or images (living or dead), cartoon character images or inappropriate messages or words (for example, profanity). If you do wear such clothing, you may be required to remove it, turn it inside out or put on additional clothing to cover it. If you have any tattoos that contain any corporate or sports names or logos, copyrighted images, celebrity names or images (living or dead), cartoon character images or inappropriate message or words (for example, profanity), please cover the tattoo for your audition.
If you have a big set-up for your act, please consider sending in a video submission. You are more than welcome to sign up for a Virtual Audition as well and talk us through your video, but with these parameters it will be easier for us to see and hear your audition with a pre-shot video.
We encourage you to submit a video submission if these elements are included in your performance. A Virtual audition may not be the best idea for you with the scale of your performance.
We encourage you to submit a video submission your performance includes animals. But we would also love to meet you and your furry friends over a Virtual Audition as well!
Yes, it is up to you whether you perform original material or a cover, if you are singing. We recommend you choose a popular, known song, but it is ultimately your decision what you decide to perform.
Generally, singers are asked to sing their song a Capella (without a backing track). 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 song that best shows off your voice. It is always a good idea to have a few songs ready as a back-up in case the Producer asks to hear them. You can use separate microphones hooked up to your computer, but there can be no auto-tuning. We should be able to hear your raw vocal fine over the Virtual Audition. 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 at the Producer's discretion if and when a track is permitted. Playing an instrument (i.e. piano, guitar, etc.) while singing is always allowed. 
As long as we can see you (and your dance moves!) the Virtual Auditions will work for you! Please be in a safe space where you have the freedom to move around.
In this round of auditions, we only allow for acoustic set ups. It allows us to hear you better over the internet connection. If your band does not typically play acoustically, we ask you to submit a video online. 

Additionally, we remind you to follow all local regulations and restrictions as to gatherings, and strongly discourage groups from gathering. 

Yes. If you are playing an instrument, you should have it ready to go when you enter the Virtual Audition. If you are playing and instrument but also have a track accompanying you, that is fine.
No. All auditions are free. You just need an internet connection and a device with a camera and microphone capable of running Zoom.

THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR ANY AUDITION. IF SOMEONE APPROACHES YOU TRYING TO BUY OR SELL ACCESS TO ANY AUDITION, PLEASE ADVISE A MEMBER OF PRODUCER’S STAFF IMMEDIATELY at auditions@agtauditions.com.

After you perform, you may be asked some follow up questions by producers. After you perform, the Virtual Audition will be concluded and you should select “Leave Meeting” and close your Virtual Audition.

Acts selected to move forward in the competition will be notified by the end of March. 

Unfortunately, there will not be any in-person open call auditions this season. We will only be hosting LIVE Virtual Auditions to keep YOU and our AGT team as safe as possible.