Claremore's Got Talent Boasts an Evening of Local Entertainment

From Garth Brooks to Carrie Underwood, from Ron Howard to Bill Hader, from Will Rogers to Reba McEntire, it’s undeniable that Oklahoma is a virtual fount of talent.

This September, the Claremore Public School’s Foundation (CPSF) hopes to tap into that well of local talent when it hosts the Claremore’s Got Talent fundraiser.

“This is the first year that the CSPF has hosted Claremore’s Got Talent,” said Amy Evans, CPSF executive director. “We wanted to develop an event that’s unlike others in the area and engages members of the community.”

To help pull off this special night, the CPSF is actively seeking area residents who have unique, unusual, or hidden talents they’re willing to share to help mount an evening of entertainment.

“We’re looking for a variety of traditional talents, such as singing, dancing, magic, etc., and are excited about drawing in other ‘unique’ talents,” Evans said. “Whether someone is singing opera or playing the spoons, tap dancing or lassoing, there are no limitations for the types of acts that we are willing to host, so long as they fall within the contest rules, meet community standards and don’t endanger the audience.”

No age restrictions are in place for the performers, with Evans saying she hopes to see acts from “the tiniest to the most senior of citizens.”

Currently, the Foundation is developing a panel of judges, which will serve impartially, and all of whom will have experience judging talent across the entertainment and media industry as well certified judges in the Miss America pageant system.

As to what differentiates this talent show from others like it, Evans said it all comes down to one word: Entertainment.

“Our goal is for this to be the most entertaining fundraiser in the area,” she said. “Plus, we don’t have specific categories for various disciplines. Therefore, while technical skill is important, the winning acts will be those that most delight the judges and audience from a sheer entertainment perspective.”

Not only will this event showcase some of the area’s hidden gems, while giving them the opportunity to win valuable cash prizes and scholarships, it also serves as a fundraiser for the CPSF, and to raise awareness about the projects and goals of the Foundation, as well as enlighten the public about the group’s mission, specifically, “to enrich the quality of education in the Claremore Public Schools.”

Formed more than 30 years ago, the Claremore Public Schools Foundation has, to date, awarded more than $1.6 million to area teachers and schools for materials, resources, equipment, field trips, and a variety of innovative projects, all of which serve to enhance the learning environment for Claremore students.

Applications for Claremore’s Got Talent are available on the CPSF website at www.claremorepublicschoolsfoundation.org and are due by July 12. In person auditions will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 28, at the Robson Performing Arts Center in Claremore.

Claremore’s Got Talent is open to both individuals and groups, and open to performers enrolled in Claremore Public Schools, employed by Claremore Public Schools, graduates of Claremore Public Schools, or be a resident of Claremore.

Event tickets go on sale in August at the Robson PAC and the CPSF office. For more information, email eat0@eau0eav0eaw0 or call 918-923-4308. Claremore’s Got Talent will be held Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Robson Performing Arts Center, 101 E. Stuart Roosa in Claremore.