Watch Talented Teens Take The Stage

Are you a fan of The Voice, America’s Got Talent, or another talent competition show? Those take place on the national stage. But we’ve got one happening on the local stage, in St. Louis! You won’t want to miss this entertaining (and fundraising) event.

By Peg Cameron Gill Tons of teens today dream of superstardom, and many compete on televised talent competition shows in their quest to achieve it. Others use social media to strut or sing their stuff. Forget Tik-Tok – try St. Louis’s Tik-Fox!  The Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis will play host to the 13th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition Finals, sponsored by The Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation. The finals will take place Saturday, April 8 from 7:30 – 9:30 pm. The annual Teen Talent Competition offers a chance for bi-state area high school students to show the world their skills as they compete for scholarships and prizes.  Teen finalists get to perform on The Fabulous Fox Theatre’s stage in front of a panel of live judges and a live audience. Some terrific talents – and maybe a few nerves – will be on view. At stake are an $8,000 first-place prize, $6,000 for second place, and $4,000 for third. Other awards include the Audience Choice Award, MVP-Most Valuable Performer, The Terry Lynford Classical Music Scholarship, The Kranzberg Vocal Performance Award, and more. In years past, the foundation has also been able to offer teens unique opportunities, like studio recording sessions. Why not come watch the competition? Who knows, there could be a future Adele in the mix. If you’re there, you can brag, “I saw her when …” Below are the 14 finalists for 2023. Note the variety of talents they’ll be performing. There are singers and musicians of many genres, different types of dancers, and even acrobats: SINGERS: Rayquan Strickland / Singer, Songwriter / Senior at Centra VPA Ava Hettenhausen / Singer / Junior at O’Fallon Township High School   Ariana Kroegger / Singer / Senior at Clayton High School Noah Van Ess / Singer, Pianist / Senior at Lindbergh High School Cortland English / Singer / Junior at O’Fallon Township High School Kyla Gerhardt / Singer / Senior at Granite City High School ACROBATS: Anna Layher / Circus Arts / Senior at Nerinx Hall High School Kyleigh McCourt / Baton Twirler / Junior at Mehlville High School DANCERS: Saisha Bhutani / Traditional Indian Dancer / Junior at Clayton High School Avery Payne / Dancer / Sophomore at Orchard Farm High School MUSICIANS: Cats Jazz Collective / Jazz Band/ Sophomore, Juniors, and Seniors at Webster Groves High School Cindy Yan / Pianist / Junior at Ladue Horton Watkins High School Yrwin Batan / Pianist / Junior at St. Louis Priory High School Drum Warriors Ensemble / Drummers / Junior at Grand Center Arts Academy; Junior at Collegiate School of Medicine and Bio Science; Sophomore at Clayton High School; Junior at Carnahan High School All seating is general admission. Tickets for this event are free, but you will need a ticket for entry. There is a limit of 10 tickets per transaction. Seating is first-come-first-seated and is not guaranteed. The theater will be over-sold to ensure a full house, so you may want to make sure you arrive early. For hundreds more events, visit Missouri Life’s Event Calendar.