The Blackstone Valley

First Annual Teen Correspondent Auditions & Program Overview

The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley will be launching the First Annual Teen Correspondent live auditions and subsequent year-long program on Saturday, May 14th. We're very excited about the launch and are looking forward to a successful program that ensures the teen community frequenting the shopping center feels energized while parents feel at ease. We'd love to let the local student community know the details of this opportunity by distributing posters and bookmarks within the school system that share information about how to get involved.

Program Overview:

• Live auditions will be held at The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley's Cinema de Lux theater (Mezzanine Level) on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 8AM
• Massachusetts residents ages 13-17 Years Old (inclusive of 5/14/11) will be invited to audition in front of cameras, our panel of 3 Judges, and fellow teens and their parents/guardians
• Online Registration: Date to register on -line coming soon.
• Teens will pre-register online at www.shopsatblackstonevalley.com/teen to reserve an audition spot (up to 100 completed entries will be accepted on a first come, first served basis through 5/13) and download release forms for a parent/guardian to sign. Please note that the registration will not be deemed complete unless the sponsor receives the parental consent and release and that contestants must be accompanied to the audition by a parent or legal guardian over the age of 21
• Musician Ayla Brown will host the event and kick off the day by sharing her personal success story and do a meet & greet with the teens
• Each teen will prepare a brief introduction (name, age, hometown/school) and report on their favorite store, restaurant, or entertainment venue at The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley (max of 45 seconds in total). Judges will share their feedback following each audition (max of 45 seconds as well)
• The Judges will select 12 semi-finalists following the auditions, who will be announced by Monday, May 23^rd
• All aspects of each audition will be filmed and video clips of the 12 semi-finalists will be posted online for the public to vote via text message for their favorite Teen Correspondent candidate once over the course of 10 days
• Voting will end on Wednesday, June 1st and the final Four Teen Correspondents will be announced by Monday, June 6th
• The four Teens Correspondents will commit to a one-year position to do 2 filming sessions on the property, help coordinate a fundraising event with Ayla Brown for the non-profit Songs of Love (under our guidance and support), and attend special events on a voluntary basis. The commitments will be scheduled around the teens to in no way conflict with their academic or extra-curricular responsibilities
• Each of the four correspondents will receive a $500 Cash Award upon successful completion of a one-year commitment
• There is no cost to enter the contest
• SR Weiner & Associates, Inc. and W/S Development Associates LLC are the sponsors of the contest and program

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About the Chamber

The mission of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce is to promote the economic vitality of the Blackstone Valley and meet the needs of the Chamber's business members, while providing leadership on issues which impact the economy and quality of life in the Valley. The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce serves the eleven towns in the Massachusetts BV Region: Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge. For more information on the Chamber please contact administrator@blackstonevalley.org or call 508 234 9090 X101.