Where and when is the PAPARAZZO Talent Competition?

The talent competition will take place at Perkinson Centre for the Arts & Education, Chester, Va. 23831, on February 19, 2026. The building will open at 11:00am.

What are the age requirements and performance categories for the competition?

The competition is open to ages 11yrs and older. There are 4 performance categories: Music, Dance, Drama, Photography. All ages, 11yrs and older, may showcase their talent from either of the 4 categories. Click for descriptions

How do I register and are there fees?

You may click here to complete the registration form. The building opens at 11:00 am. Each contestant (individual, duet, group) will have a scheduled rehearsal time during the day on Feb. 19th. The deadline for registration and any accompanying materials is Jan. 15, 2026. IMPORTANT: Registrations are not complete until all information and responses are filled in and submitted.

What are the details for the performance categories, restrictions, time limits?

• This is a live competition, so no video entries will be accepted. When registering, be sure to read and fill out all applicable information as well as reading each of the waivers and other release forms. Any person performing on stage, even if for :20sec., must complete a registration form. Each competitor, whether a solo, duet, trio, quartet, small or large group, will have a total of 2.30min to perform. Each, as needed, will have a total of 12.0min on the stage to rehearse during the afternoon rehearsal periods. This will include any set up and/or removal of props. For the evening of competition, you will not have 12 min. so please plan accordingly.  REMEMBER, your performance time is 2.30min.
• IMPORTANT: All performers must compete with the number of people listed on the registration. Disqualification will take place if this is ignored. If a substitution must take place, PDM PRODUCTIONS must be notified immediately, and the person(s) must complete a registration form.
• If a person is competing in more than one performance, even if it is in the same category, they must complete a registration form for each. If this is ignored the performance will be disqualified.
• If you are competing in the Music, Dance, or Drama performance categories you may want to prepare more than one choice, so if you are asked by the judges to perform something else, you could respond in the moment. This is not mandatory, but if you choose to do so this must be emailed with any other files. Stage lighting will be set during the rehearsal period. Additionally, a piano will be available as well as hand-held and boom microphones.
• IMPORTANT: All music files must be sent to pdmproductionsinc@gmail.com as an MP3 download. If video is used, all video files must be sent to pdmproductionsinc@gmail.com. All files must be sent with the information used on the registration, that identifies the group; Name, name of group, number of those competing in the group. Be aware that if you receive a notification saying the file may be too large, make sure to make the necessary adjustments for us to open it. PDM PRODUCTIONS reserves the right not to make corrections to a file or to a registration form. All files must be sent before the Jan.15, 2026 deadline. No Exceptions!
• If you are competing in the Photography category, this is a “solo group.”  You will need to register and send 4 photographs of your work, any style, Color or Black and White. Send them in a jpeg file to pdmproductionsinc@gmail.com.  For the competition, once you have submitted your photos, you will be contacted. Throughout the day during the rehearsal periods, you may decide if you want to attend the entire day or not. Just a reminder that for the competition, each photographer will once again submit 4 photographs, any style, Black and White or Color, but at least 1 of the 4 will need to be of at least one of the competitors from earlier in the day to qualify for the additional $200 cash, if you are chosen as the 2026 PAPARAZZO! The photo can be taken from anywhere inside of the venue or outside on the campus grounds or parking lot. Your entries must be received via email at jon.shelley@perkinsoncenter.org before 5:30pm.
• PROPS: If you plan to use a prop or props, please remember to check the appropriate place on your registration form. Make sure all props are labeled with the corresponding information on the registration form. No props will be allowed to be stored backstage. When using props that need to be preset, they will be allowed to be kept in the hallway area adjacent to the backstage stage entrance. Once a prop is preset, NO ONE is allowed to move it/them without the permission of the person designated by the group to be the director, teacher, lead performer, captain, etc. If a prop needs to be set up on stage, it must be able to be ‘free-standing.’ Nothing will be allowed to be bolted to the stage, and anything that needs an electrical outlet will need to be approved before Jan. 31, 2026. All props, hand-held or otherwise, must be fire-proof.

RESTRICTIONS and PROHIBITIONS

• No aerial acts, use of explosive or combustion devices or materials, no roller blades, roller skates, bikes, cycling of any kind (that will lead to going past the proscenium of the stage), no ramps, launching devices, no use of rigging devices from any part or anywhere within the auditorium, no nudity. ALL nudity, explicit language, excessive profanity, and vulgarity are prohibited. PDM PRODUCTIONS reserves the right to review any, and all materials, to determine the content for the PAPARAZZO Talent Competition, as permissible. If a determination is made that a contestant has submitted prohibited content, the performer(s) will be contacted and asked to resubmit their content. If the performers’ decision is to not resubmit content, PDM PRODUCTIONS reserves the right to VOID the registration application(s).
• Additionally, liquids, paints, powder, chalk, and glitter are strictly PROHIBITED from coming in contact with the Marley floor. If any of these are used and happen to be transferred from a body part or a prop to the performance surface, it must be cleaned immediately by the performer(s) in a very timely manner. Also, if any item (props, flower petals, leaves, paper, etc.) is left on stage after performing, the performer(s) will remove them in a timely manner. No live animals, dangerous props such as real knives, firearms, real swords, or fire will be permitted for use. If compliance with these restrictions and prohibitions are ignored or neglected during the rehearsal period, the performer(s) will be disqualified from having the opportunity to compete in the competition.

What do I do when I arrive?

Upon entering the venue, performers will check in at the registrars’ tables. From there you will be instructed where to go to get to the backstage waiting areas. No one other than those involved with the performers and preparation for the performers will be allowed into the backstage areas. This includes parents, teachers, instructors, etc. This is for safety and to help keep the rehearsal and the evening of competition moving on schedule. No one will be allowed to leave the backstage hallways or any of the backstage areas, unless it is a medical emergency, 15min. before the start time of the event/competition.  Performers, once backstage, will receive further instructions. No one will be allowed to re-enter the stage or the auditorium for any reason, until they are instructed by the backstage personnel. No one will be allowed to leave the waiting areas or hallways past the 15min call time. IMPORTANT: During the evening of competition everyone must have a ticket to enter the auditorium. Each performing group, whether solo, duet, trio, quartet, small or large group, will receive 2 complimentary tickets. If a performer has not checked in at the 30min call time, they will be considered late. PDM PRODUCTIONS reserves the right to deduct 10% of the contestants’ votes, which could have qualified them for the top 6. Teachers, parents, directors, instructors, etc., if you are accompanying a performer(s), all these rules apply to you as well. If you are needed backstage you will remain in the backstage area until the end of the competition, unless you leave before the 15 min call time. Additionally, you must have a ticket to enter the auditorium.

BACKSTAGE

• Everyone will receive detailed instructions about the backstage areas and the process that will be followed to make the event flow as efficiently as possible. If a group is using a prop or props, they must inform the backstage manager of the person designated to be responsible for the props, if using any. No one will be permitted to move or remove any prop(s) without the permission of the designated person.
• All performers, and those accompanying them, are expected to conduct themselves in a professional, responsible, and respectful manner at all times, and are expected to abide by all venue and campus rules, established fire and safety rules and common safety rules.
• No smoking or vaping of any substances is permitted.
• No one is permitted to touch or move anyone else’s property without their permission.
• Performers are not to engage in any threatening, aggressive, hostile, intimidating, or disrespectful behavior, including any derogatory comments to others, shouting, verbal, or physical assault, or harassing of any kind.
• All backstage, hallway waiting areas, dressing rooms and restrooms are to be kept neat orderly. All trash needs to be placed into a trash receptacle.

How are performers voted on to continue to the Finals?

This is a live contest so the only way contestants are voted through to the Finals is by the live thearte audience. 4 performers from each of the 3 Preliminary Rounds will be voted through to the Finals. You, as the contestant, will want to inform as many as you can to attend the Preliminary Round you are competing in to ensure you have the votes to qualify for the Finals! The Celebrity Judges determine the 3^rd, 2^nd, and 1^st place winners in the Finals.

What are the prizes?

• This is a live contest so the only way contestants are voted to the Top 6 is by the live theater audience. From there, you are chosen as the Top 3 by the Celebrity Judges. The audience and the judges choose the 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd place winners and the 2026 PAPARAZZO. You, as the contestant, will want to inform as many as you can to attend the competition to ensure you have the votes to qualify for the Top 6, Top 3 and on.

• What are the prizes?
• The prizes include an education or vocation scholarship, and more.
• 3^rd place winner: $500 education or vocation scholarship
• 2^nd place winner: $1,000 education or vocation scholarship
• 1^st place winner: $2,000 education or vocation scholarship, an interview on a local TV News station, an interview in a local periodical, and $100 cash, if your photo is one of the 4 submitted by the winning photographer!

(If you are voted as a winner and choose to receive the scholarship award as a cash prize, you will receive a 1099 tax form)

The audience votes and the Celebrity Judges will determine which of the photographers are chosen as the 2026 PAPARAZZO! The winner will receive a $3,000 education or vocation scholarship, an interview on a local TV News station, an interview in a local periodical, and spend time ‘shadowing’ and working with a professional photographer for a day (if it applies). Additionally, if one of the photographs submitted includes either the 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd place winners, the PAPARAZZO will receive an additional cash prize of $200!

What is the protocol in case I have any questions or have an emergency?

If you have any questions, please contact us at pdmproductionsinc@gmail.com. In case of emergency contact us at pdmproductionsinc@gmail.com or leave a message at (804) 924-6220.

PDM PRODUCTIONS is not responsible for any payments expected, required or requested by anyone hired by the contestants for choreography, writing, coaching, directing, or any other form of help secured by any of the contestants that participated in this event or any other events hosted by PDM PRODUCTIONS.