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A Queen City Talent Competition & Fundraiser
In a City built for a queen, it's time to crown the next star!
Inspired by the excitement of America's Got Talent, Crown Charlotte's Talent is a citywide talent competition hosted by the Charlotte Center for the Arts. Performers of all ages and talent types are invited to showcase their abilities while helping raise funds to support the future of the arts in Charlotte.
Named after Queen Charlotte herself, this competition celebrates the creativity, passion, and talent that make our community extraordinary.
Auditions Open: July 15 – August 28
Online Voting: September 1 - 18
Live Finale: September 18 at Charlotte Latin School, Horne Performing Arts Center
About the Competition
Crown Charlotte's Talent is more than a talent contest—it's a fundraiser dedicated to strengthening Charlotte's arts community.
Participants will compete for the title of Charlotte's Talent (and win a cash prize!) while helping raise funds toward a $30,000 goal supporting our Community Arts Hub market and feasibility study. This study will help advance the vision of creating an accessible arts center that serves artists, performers, and audiences throughout the Queen City.
Whether you sing, dance, act, perform comedy, play an instrument, or have a unique specialty talent, this is your opportunity to shine.
How It Works
Auditions
July 15 – August 28, 2026
Submit a video audition showcasing your talent or attend one of our in-person audition(s) (see below for audition details). All auditions and audition videos will be reviewed by a preliminary judging panel.
We welcome performers of all ages and talent styles, including: Singing, Dance, Acting & Theatre, Instrumental Performance, Specialty & Variety Acts, Comedy, Spoken Word, and Other Unique Talents
Don't see your category listed? We'd still love to see your audition!
Online Voting and Fundraising
September 1 - 18, 2026
Once in the voting round, contestants will participate in an online voting and fundraising campaign. Contestants will rally friends, family, coworkers, and supporters to contribute toward the Charlotte Center for the Arts mission. Every dollar raised supports the campaign goal of creating a vibrant and accessible arts future for Charlotte. Every dollar counts as a "vote" and helps advance our mission. The contestant with the most votes and funds raised will have a strong advantage heading into the final event.
Live Finale Event
September 18, 2026 | 6:30pm
Charlotte Latin School, Horne Performing Arts Center
Contestants will showcase a 3–4 minute live performance. At the end of the evening, judges will select the competition winner. Winners will also be selected for a People's Choice Award and a Top Fundraising Award. Top finalists will win cash prizes.
Judging and Awards
Preliminary Round Judging
A panel of judges will review all video and in-person submissions and determine eligibility for participation before advancing to the next (peer-to-peer fundraising) phase. Contestants will be notified regarding next steps following the audition review period.
Live Finale Judging
At the finale event, contestants will perform before a panel of judges who will evaluate performances based on talent, stage presence, creativity, and overall entertainment value.
Awards and Cash Prizes
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Crown Charlotte's Talent Champion (Judges' Choice Award)
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People's Choice Award
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Top Fundraiser Award
MEET THE JUDGES
Our panel of distinguished judges will bring expertise from the worlds of performing arts, entertainment, education, and community leadership.
Tony Award winner Corey Mitchell is the inaugural recipient for Excellence in Theatre Education. He was selected as a top 50 Finalist for 2017 Global Teacher Prize and was named North Carolina Outstanding Theatre Arts Educator by the North Carolina Theatre Conference. Most recently, he was selected as the first recipient of the Stephen Schwartz Musical Theatre Teacher of the Year Award, presented by the Educational Theatre Association and the ASCAP, and also received The Cato Lifetime Achievement in Teaching Award from the Arts and Science Council of Charlotte.
Corey has twenty-five years' experience in the classroom, including twenty years as Theatre Arts Educator at Northwest School of the Arts in Charlotte, NC. Mitchell is the Founder and Executive Director of the Theatre Gap Initiative, a college prep program designed to help students navigate the process of applying to and auditioning for BFA Acting and Musical Theatre programs.
Sterling Masters-Deeney started her professional career at 19, and performed on Broadway and National Tours for 18 years straight. Credits include Wicked (Dance Captain, Witch's Mother), A Chorus Line, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Dance Captain), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Dance Captain) and Fosse. She is now the Co-Owner and Artistic Director at Jami Masters School of Dance in Charlotte, NC.
Sterling trained at JMSD under the direction of her mother as well as programs at North Carolina School of the Arts, American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet School, Kirov Academy of Ballet, and Ann's Reinking's Broadway Theatre Project - where Ann Reinking noticed Sterling and invited her to audition for Fosse, jump-starting her career.
Sterling is now an American Ballet Theatre Certified Teacher (Levels Pre-Primary to Level 3), certified in children's yoga through YogiBeans, and is currently serving on the Carolina Dance Masters Board of Directors, where she is also a Professional ember. In addition to teaching and coaching her students at JMSD, she has mentored/choreographed for many Carolina Dance Masters title-holders and has taught and/or judged for Dance Masters of America, Encore DCS, Destination Broadway, Thrive Dance Experience, and at many private studios throughout the country.
With a remarkable 50-year career in classical music, James Meena's work has spanned the worlds of symphony orchestra, ballet, musical theatre, and opera. His conducting career has taken him across the United States and around the world, including engagements with the Washington Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, L'Opéra de Montréal, Michigan Opera Theatre, KBS Symphony Orchestra in Seoul, Pittsburgh Symphony, Cairo Philharmonic, and numerous orchestras and opera companies throughout Italy.
For more than a decade, he served as Resident Conductor of the Toledo Symphony, General Director of Toledo Opera, and conductor for the Cleveland/San Jose Ballet. In 2025, he concluded an incredible 25-year tenure as General Director and Principal Conductor of Opera Carolina before founding Charlotte Lyric Theatre, an advanced mentorship program for emerging artists.
Throughout his career, Maestro Meena has also conducted some of the world's celebrated vocal artists, including Renée Fleming, Denyce Graves, Marilyn Horne, Sherrill Milnes, Jerome Hines, Jerry Hadley, and Marcello Giordani.
Why This Competition Matters
Every performer helps support a larger vision.
Funds raised through Crown Charlotte's Talent will contribute to a community arts feasibility study focused on bringing accessible, dedicated arts spaces to Charlotte.
Your talent can help create new opportunities for artists, performers, educators, and future generations.
Together, we're building a stronger arts community by providing venues for artists and patrons, alike.
Live Finale Event Details
Experience the excitement live at the Crown Charlotte's Talent Finale on September 18!
Friday, September 18, 2026
6:30pm (Doors Open 5:45pm)
Horne Performing Arts Center at Charlotte Latin School
700 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
Join us for an unforgettable evening featuring live performances from our talented finalists and the crowning of the 2026 Crown Charlotte's Talent winner. Contestants will perform before a panel of judges who will evaluate performances based on talent, stage presence, creativity, and overall entertainment value.
Our panel of distinguished judges will bring expertise from the worlds of performing arts, entertainment, education, and community leadership.
Awards and Cash Prizes:
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Crown Charlotte's Talent Champion (Judges' Choice Award)
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People's Choice Award
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Top Fundraiser Award
Tickets are now available for purchase, and the event is open to the public:
Premium Seating - Front of Theater: $50
General Admission: $35
General Admission (Ages 16 and under): $1
Virtual Ticket (Link will be sent day before): $15
Competition Sponsors
A Special Thanks To Our Sponsors:
Sponsorship Opportunities Are Still Available:
Lead the Kingdom. Inspire the Future.
Our premier sponsorship level for the Live Finale performance.
Benefits:
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Event presented as "Crown Charlotte's Talent Finale Presented by [Your Business]"
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Prominent logo placement on all event marketing, website, and social media promotions
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Large logo featured on event program
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VIP sponsor seating for guests
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On-stage recognition during opening and closing remarks
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Feature spotlight on social media before the event
Contact Jeanine Qasim (jqasim@artscenterclt.org) if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Crown Charlotte's Talent
Audition Requirements
Submission Window
July 15 – August 28, 2026
In-Person Auditions
August 15, 2026 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM @ Matthews Playhouse
Participants must reserve an audition time slot in advance!
Audition Sign-Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0849AFAB2EAAF9C61-64983543-crown
Virtual Auditions - How to Submit
Email your audition by 11:59pm EST on August 28, 2026 to clebleu@artscenterclt.org
Include:
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Performer's name (If group, please include the group name and the names of all individuals in the group)
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Age(s) of performers
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Talent Category (singing, dancing, acting, instrumental, specialty act, etc.)
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Website or Social Media Handles (if applicable)
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A 3-5 minute video audition submitted as a YouTube link
Video Requirements:
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Submit a YouTube video link only
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Your YouTube video may be set to Public or Private, but it must be shared and viewable by clebleu@artscenterclt.org for judging purposes.
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Link must remain active throughout the competition
Please note that the material submitted in your audition video will be used for the competition and peer-to-peer fundraising rounds. Changes to audition material after submission may impact eligibility and could result in removal from the competition.
Important Notice
The audition material submitted must be the same material used throughout the competition. Changes to performance content after submission may result in disqualification.
Who Can Enter?
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All ages welcome
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Open to all talent categories
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Individuals and groups accepted
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Must be available to perform live at the live finale event on September 18, 2026
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Must participate in the fundraising campaign
We can't wait to see your talent and celebrate the incredible performers of the Queen City!
Charlotte Center for the Arts is committed to creating inclusive opportunities for performers and audiences of all abilities. For accommodation requests, contact Colleen LeBleu
Ready to Claim Your Crown?
Showcase your talent.
Support the arts.
Compete for the title of Charlotte's next Talent.
Submit Your Audition Today!
Questions? Contact Colleen LeBleu at clebleu@artscenterclt.org