MONMOUTH — The Monmouth Community Players will hold auditions for its first ever kids’ show. Auditions will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, and from 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, at Cumston Hall. The shows will take place Feb. 23 and 24, 2019.

The show will be free to the students who audition, and there are 12 roles available for students in grades three through eight. This first production is being licensed through Pioneer Drama and is titled “The Great American Talent Show.”

From renowned playwright Joseph Robinette, this will be a parody of TV talent shows like “American Idol” and “America’s Got Talent.” The finalists will anxiously await their final shot at fame and fortune. Three self-important judges — including a token brutally honest British character — will cajole or praise each contestant in hilarious ways.

Who will win the tournament of champions? Will it be the girl who sings a ludicrous heartbreak song? An eager comedian with laughably old jokes? Perhaps the kazoo-playing one-man band? The laughs are big even if the talent is small with an impressionist who does everyone from Porky Pig to Gollum, a makeover artist, a model and a genius who answers trick questions.

Staging is simple and everyone gets their moment in the spotlight. There’s also flexibility in the number of finalists, and the cast can be almost all male or all female or any combination in between.

MCP Kids is open to kids in the Monmouth schools as well as the surrounding areas. Headed up by local thespian and MCP Board member Danny Gay, the youth of the area will work to develop their stage presence through children’s shows throughout the season. It is also a great opportunity for teens to learn the tricks of the trade — directing, light design and operation, stage management and more.

Check the website for other auditions and upcoming opportunities at monmouthcommunityplayers.org. For more information, contact Danny at Daniel.c.gay@gmail.com.