Where and when is the PAPARAZZO Talent Competition?

The talent competition will take place at Manchester High School, 12601 Bailey Bridge Rd., Midlothian Va. 23112, February 27, 2027. 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 to 18yrs. There are 4 performance categories: Photography, Music, Theater, and Dance. Contestants showcase their talent from either of the 4 categories. Entry to compete in several categories is acceptable. Click for descriptions

How do I register and are there fees?

You may click here to complete the registration form. The building opens at 8:30am. The Preliminary Rounds will take place by age groups. Round #1 – Age Division #1 (Ages 11yrs – 13yrs) : 10:00am – 11:30am, Round #2 – Age Division #2 (Ages 13yrs to 15yrs) : 12:30pm – 2:00pm and Round #3 – Age Division #3 (Ages 15yrs – 18yrs) : 3:00pm – 4:30pm). There is a registration fee of $20 per person/contestant. The registration deadline is January 10, 2027. IMPORTANT: Registrations are not complete until the fee is 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 complete all applicable information as well as reading each of the waivers and other release forms. All contestants must complete a registration form. Total alloted performance time is 2-1/2mins, regardless of the number of performers in entry (solo, duet, … small group, large group, etc.). To accommodate any kind of necessary preparations, set up or breaking down ( props,… etc.), entries may have up to 6.0min on

the stage, only during the Preliminary Rounds. These time limits will be strictly enforced so you must plan accordingly. The time will begin when the MC announces the group or individual and everyone is on stage. REMEMBER, your performance time is 2-1/2mins, for both the Preliminary and Final Rounds of competition.

• 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 substitution 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 or age group, they must complete a registration form for each. If this is ignored the performance will be disqualified for being eligible to be voted into the Finals, but may still perform in the Preliminary Round.
• A performer may “age up” but not “age down.” Meaning, a person may compete in an older Age Division, but not a younger Age Division. For example, someone 11yrs may compete in the 15yrs – 18yrs Age Division, but someone 15yrs may not compete in the 11yrs – 13yrs Age Division. Proof of age will be required using either a driver’s license, birth certificate, or School ID (with a photo) when checking in with registrars on the day of the event.
• If you are competing in the Music, Dance, or Theater performance categories you may want to prepare more than one selection. If you progress to the Finals, you have the option to perform a different piece from your Preliminary Round. You may also choose to send any lighting design preferences to be used, if voted through to the Finals. This is not mandatory, but if you choose to do so this must be emailed with any other files before the January 10, 2027 deadline. Stage lighting will be determined by the Lighting Designer during the PreliminaryRounds, as well as the Finals. Additionally, a piano will be available as well as hand-held and boom microphones.

• 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 of contestant, name of group, number competing in the group, which Preliminary Round/Age Division. 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 to not make corrections to a file nor to a registration form. All files must be sent before the January 10, 2027, deadline. No Exceptions!

• If you are competing in the Photography category, this is a “solo”. You will need to register and send 3 (three) photographs of your work, any style, color or black and white. Send them in a jpeg file to pdmproductionsinc@gmail.com. Only 4 (four) photographers will be contacted, based on your submissions, to inform you if you have qualified to move into the finals. You are not voted on by the audience during the Preliminary Rounds, as the contestants in the other categories are, in order to proceed to the Finale. Throughout the Preliminary Rounds, you will want to be onsite taking photos during each Age Division, because in the Finals, in order to be eligible to win the $200 cash prize, you will submit 7 photos, any style (color or black and white), but 2 of them must be photographs of any of the contestants/performers of your choice, from the Preliminary Rounds, in order to qualify. The contestant photos can be taken from anywhere inside of the venue or outside on the campus grounds or parking lot. Your 7 entries must be received via the email Msnproductions82@gmail.com, before 5:00pm.

• If a contestant(s) plans to use a prop or props, this must be indicated on the 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., or the Backstage Runner or Stage Manager. 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 January 10, 2027. All props, hand-held or otherwise, must be fire-proof.

RESTRICTIONS and PROHIBITIONS

• No aerial acts. No explosive or combustion devices or materials. No roller blades, roller skates, bikes, or cycling of any kind (that will lead to going past the proscenium of the stage). No ramps. No launching devices. No use of rigging devices from any part or anywhere within the auditorium. No nudity. Explicit language, excessive profanity, and vulgarity is 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 contestant’s decision is to not resubmit content, PDM PRODUCTIONS reserves the right to VOID the registration application(s).

• Additionally, No liquids, no paints, no powder, no chalk, and no sprinkling, tossing, dispersing … of glitter. These are strictly PROHIBITED from coming in contact with the performance floor surface. If any of these are used and happen to be transferred from a body or a prop, to the performance surface, it must be cleaned immediately within the alloted 6.0min window. Also, if any item (props, flower petals, leaves, paper, etc.) is left on stage after performing, the performer(s) will remove them within the alloted 6.0min window. No live animals. No dangerous props such as real knives, firearms, real swords, or fire. If compliance with these restrictions and prohibitions are ignored or neglected, the contestant(s) will be disqualified.

What do I do when I arrive?

• Upon entering the venue, contestant(s) 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 the performers and those considered essential for the preparation for the contestant(s) will be allowed into the backstage areas. This includes parents, teachers, instructors, etc. This is for safety and to help keep the event 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. This applies to the Preliminary Rounds as well as the Finals. Contestant(s), once in the waiting areas, will have a moment to go onto the backstage area as well as onto the stage to become vaguely familiar with the space. This time will be limited. Immediately following that period, everyone will be escorted back to the waiting areas to receive further instructions. No one will be allowed to re-enter the auditorium for any reason, until they are instructed by the backstage personnel. Anyone assisting a performer(s) must leave the backstage areas. No contestants will be allowed to leave the waiting areas or backstage hallways past the 20min call time. If a contestant chooses to leave the area reserved for the performers during this time PDM PRODUCTIONS reserves the right to disqualify the contestant(s).
• If a contestant(s) fail to check 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 Finals. If voted into the Finals, contestant(s) will receive 1(one) complimentary ticket (per performance group name designation, not per names of individuals in a group). Spectators, of any kind, must have a ticket to enter the auditorium. These rules apply to teachers, parents, directors, instructors, etc.

BACKSTAGE

• Contestant(s) will receive detailed instructions about the backstage areas and the process that will be followed to make the event flow as efficiently as possible. All props must be checked in with the Stage Manager. No one will be permitted to move or remove any prop(s) without the permission of the designated person(s), as stated previously.

• All contestant(s) 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, as well as 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.

• Threatening, aggressive, hostile, intimidating, or disrespectful behavior, including any derogatory comments to others, shouting, verbal, or physical assault, or harassing of any kind will not be tolerated.

• All backstage hallway waiting areas, dressing rooms and restrooms are to be kept neat and 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. Interactive theater audience votes move contestants through from the Preliminary Rounds to the Finals. The Finals will begin at 7:30pm. 4 (four) contestants, from each of the 3 Preliminary Rounds will be voted through to the Finals. Contestants may want to inform fans to attend their Preliminary Round(s) to ensure they have the votes to qualify for the Finals! Judges, along with the audience votes, will be a part of determining the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in the Finals.

What are the prizes?

• The prizes include an education or vocation scholarship, and more.

• 3rd place winner: $400 education or vocation scholarship

• 2nd place winner: $600 education or vocation scholarship

• 1st place winner: $1,500 education or vocation scholarship

• Each will have the opportunity of winning an additional $100 cash, if their photo is one of the 7 submitted by the winning photographer!

Only the audience votes will determine which of the photographers are chosen as the 2027 PAPARAZZO!

The winner will receive a $1,500 education or vocation scholarship, an interview in a local periodical, and spend time working with a professional photographer for a day. Additionally, if one of the photographs submitted from the preliminaries includes either the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place winners, the PAPARAZZO will receive an additional cash prize of $200! If both of the photographs submitted include either of the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place winners the PAPARAZZO will receive an additional $200, for a total of $400 for the cash prize!

• 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.

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 and leave messages at all of the following: pdmproductionsinc@gmail.com, (804) 924 – 6220, (804) 615 – 5778 and (804) 822-5331.

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.