Young performers are being urged take part in a series of auditions to claim a place in a popular Sandwell talent show.

This year’s SHAPE Your Talent contest, supported by Sandwell Council's Youth Service and the Library Service, is on the hunt for gifted young people who want to showcase their talents.

This could include singers, comedians, musicians, dancers, actors, poets and magicians from Sandwell. Would-be stage stars can enter one of two categories – ages 8 to 13 and 14 to 19 with the winners each in line for a £500 prize. 

Audition heats will be held in May throughout Sandwell, details can be found at the SHAPE Your Talent website.

There are limited spaces at each of the auditions so places will be given on a first come, first served basis. Entrants may be asked to perform at an alternative venue if places are full. Winners at each heat will then go through to a public vote where members of the public can watch recordings of the auditions on the web and vote for their favourite.

Those with the most votes will then perform again at the final on Friday 30 June before judges at St Michaels School in Rowley Regis. As well as the two winners receiving £500 in each category there are also £100 prizes for second place and £50 for third.

The deadline for applications to audition is Tuesday 2nd May. To register go to sandwell.gov.uk/shapeevents.

Entrants must either live, work or study in Sandwell and members of the public can watch the audition heats at Sandwell libraries for just £2 per ticket.

The talent show is part of Sandwell Council’s SHAPE programme; a series of events the council has organised after young people voiced their views on what activities they wanted. SHAPE stands for Sandwell Council’s five children and young people outcomes: staying safe, being healthy, achieving and enjoying, making a positive contribution and economic wellbeing.