Nearly 100 Performers Gather On Stage at McCallum for Annual 'Open Call' Show

The McCallum Theatre Institute (MTI) – the education division of the McCallum Theatre – presents the Open Call Talent Competition 2014, the ultimate variety show.  

The Valley’s best vocalists, dancers, instrumentalists and novelty performers will appear on stage in four performances on Thursday, April 17 and Friday, April 18 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 19 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.  This annual sell-out event has become an audience favorite and is fun for the entire family.

Open Call 2014 will showcase 98 performers in 19 acts that were selected by audition. 

Where else can you see a nine year old organist, seventy-five year old vocalist and fifty-three year old magician performing on the same stage? 

You can meet this group of talented performers by reading the “Meet the Finalists”document. The final performance will be judged and cash prizes will be awarded to an audience favorite, 2nd place and grand prize winner.  The Helen Turner Grand Prize Award winner will receive $2500.

Through the years Open Call has provided 924 local artists the opportunity to work with and receive guidance from a professional artistic and production team and perform on the McCallum Theatre stage. Over $84,300 has been awarded to Open Call finalists since the first show in 1999.

All four performances are open to the public. 

For the 7 p.m. performances on Thursday, April 17 and Friday, April 18 and 2 p.m. performance on Saturday, April 19 tickets are $10, $15, $25, $35 with a special ticket price of $10 for children 12 and under. For the final performance at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 19 tickets are $15, $25, $45 and $55.  

At each one of the first three shows audience members are invited to vote for their favorite act.  The combined audience vote carries the weight of one judge in Saturday evening’s final performance, where the winners will be announced.  Tickets are still available and can be purchased at the theatre box office, 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, by calling (760) 340-ARTS or online at www.mccallumtheatre.com.

“Open Call continues to be such an important project for us, said Open Call producer and McCallum’s Director of Education, Kajsa Thuresson-Frary. We have a great team in place and there is so much joy and discovery involved in working with people from our own community. Each year, it’s a great pleasure to help facilitate a rewarding journey for our Open Call finalists, and it’s thrilling to be in a position to share their talents with the rest of the community.”

If you are interested in supporting the arts education programs of McCallum Theatre Institute, sponsorship opportunities are available through a special fundraiser in conjunction with Open Call. For more information, please contact Judi Cohen, Manager of Special Events, (760) 346-6505, ext. 126.