Arts & Entertainment

Kean Quest Talent Search is Accepting Registrations

The popular local talent competition boasts singing sensation Jackie Evancho and the face of the Eat n' Park restaurant chain Sarah Marince as former contestants.

Kean Quest Talent Search—the popular local talent competition that boasts singing sensation Jackie Evancho and the face of the Eat n’ Park restaurant chain Sarah Marince as former contestants—is accepting contestant registrations for its 10th season.

Contestants will take to the stage of the Kean Theatre from Jan. 27 through April 5. The theater is located on the St. Barnabas campus in Richland Township at 5847 Meridian Road, Gibsonia. 

Presented by St. Barnabas Charities as a fundraising event, Kean Quest Talent Search was formerly known as Kean Idol.

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Amateur singers of all ages are eligible to perform in the local version of the popular TV hits American Idol and The Voice. 

The contest will again offer two categories—a youth competition for ages 18 and under and an adult competition specifically for vocalists ages 19 and above.

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“Kean Quest Talent Search is an opportunity for individuals of all ages to showcase their vocal talent, gain stage experience and help a local charity. The competition has seen contestants go on to perform at public events in the Pittsburgh area, national competitions and to study abroad.  Jackie Evancho, an ‘America’s Got Talent’ finalist, competed for Kean Idol in 2008 and 2009,” said Debbie Panei, director of development for St. Barnabas Charities.

For more information or to register, call (724) 443-0800, ext. 5310 or visit www.keantheatre.com. There is a $25 registration fee to enter. Contestants will be included in a preliminary round of competition.

The schedule for the 2012 “Kean Quest Talent Search” is:

Sunday, Jan. 27—Youth Preliminary 1 at 1 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 24—Youth Preliminary 2 at 1 p.m. and Youth Preliminary 3 at 5 p.m.

Friday, March 1—Adult Competition at 7 p.m.

Sunday, March 10—Youth Preliminary 4 at 1 p.m. and Youth Preliminary 5 at 5 p.m.

Sunday, March 17—Youth Semi-Final 1 at 1 p.m. and Youth Semi-Final 2 at 5 p.m.

Friday, April 5—Youth Finals at 7 p.m.

Tickets to Kean Quest Talent Search preliminary rounds are $10 and proceeds benefit St. Barnabas Free Care Fund, which in 2011 provided more than $5.2 million to needy patients at St. Barnabas Nursing Home, Valencia Woods at St. Barnabas and The Arbors at St. Barnabas who otherwise would not be able to afford their care.  

Megan Hoffman, marketing communications coordinator for St. Barnabas, provided this information.

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