By the BladenOnline team
Photo Contributed by Ilka McElveen
The National Talent Tour, Road to the Apollo in New York, is searching for brilliantly gifted acts while raising funds to benefit North Carolina veterans. For the first time in history, auditions for the popular television show will be in Bladen County at the community college.
One of the organizers, Captain Newborn, said, “Whatever their talent, we would like to see it.”
According to Newborn, any person with talent is eligible to participate, and two rounds of auditions will be at Bladen Community College. Winners of the second round of auditions at the local college will receive an expense-paid trip to New York City to perform for an Amateur Night at the Apollo.
The first round of auditions will be from 12 noon until 4 p.m. on October 15 in building 14 at Bladen Community College. In the first round, there will be two minutes for each talent to showcase their gift. Up to 22 performers will advance to the second round of auditions.
The second round will be open to the public and recorded. The talent tour will be held on November 13 at 6 p.m. at Bladen Community College.
“It will be filmed on location and televised in 42 million households,” Newman stated about the second audition event in Bladen County. Newborn explained the winners of the second audition would move to the next audition for Ametuer Night at the Apollo with travel and hotel expenses paid.
He added, “We accept all ages and talent varieties.” He listed talents such as singers, comedians, rappers, dancers, spoken word poets, and bands.
The talent search is a fundraiser, according to Newborn. The cost to audition is $10 and is non-refundable. Anyone under 18 years of age must have consent from a guardian to audition.
During the second round of auditions, the televised audience members will be entertained by the touring band, the Sandman, and show models. The audience will decide who moves on to the next round by voting with applause for the contestants. Limited advance tickets are available for $20, and tickets will be on sale the night of the show on November 13 for $25.
The event proceeds will be donated to assist veterans with mental and medical needs. This far, sponsors of the event are Next Level Veterans and Kidz N Motion Child Care Center.
The BladenOnline team reached out to representatives with the Apollo Theater for a quote, but our team has not received a call back about the amateur event at the time of publication.
For more information about becoming a sponsor or ticket sales, contact 919-323-6920. 
