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How to Audition Today for AGT Season 20 In-Person and Online (DETAILS)
Come one, come all! AGT Season 20 auditions are here, and you could become the next $1 million winner.
Calling all rising stars! Season 20 of America's Got Talent is on the horizon, and you can audition to be a part of the season's spectacular lineup of Acts.
Whether you're a powerhouse singer, a side-splitting comedian, or have a secret talent that the world needs to see, AGT is the perfect stage to shine. The NBC talent competition has showcased countless groundbreaking Acts throughout the years, and Season 20 is set to be another jaw-dropping display. You never know which mind-boggling Act will blow the Judges away next, so anyone with a special talent is invited to audition.
"We want the best of the best, no matter what the talent is and no matter who they are," NBC's manager of unscripted formats Theresa Graham told NBC Insider in 2022. "So we encourage everybody with any talent to audition, and if it's something that we love, something that we think America will love, we will put them in front of the Judges. We just want to really represent America and the great and diverse talent that we have out there."
RELATED: The AGT Audition Process, Fully Explained
Find everything to know about how to audition for AGT Season 20, below.
Everything to know about AGT Season 20 Auditions in Pasadena
In-person auditions for AGT Season 20 will take place in Pasadena, California, on January 12, 2025. Sign up for Season 20 Audition Alerts to know when registration opens and secure your spot.
"I would say for anyone who's wanting to be on the show, expect to be stretched and pushed to your max potential," Season 16 champion Dustin Tavella told NBC Insider. "I always tell people to go on, have a blast, and be yourself. Just be ready to learn and soak up as much as you can. Because this is an experience that you're never 'gonna forget."
AGT Season 20 virtual open call auditions in 2024 and 2025
If you're unable to make it to the Pasadena audition, fret not: AGT Season 20 is offering two virtual open calls. Season 20 virtual open calls will occur on December 6, 2024, and January 24, 2025. Visit agtauditions.com to sign up for a slot for the virtual open call.
Those interested can register for an online application form and must provide details about their Act before the open call. After registering, you'll receive a confirmation email with a scheduled audition date. Production will send an RSVP email before you audition where you can select your preferred arrival time. The night before the audition, you'll receive a link to participate.
Aside from the two virtual open calls, AGT Season 20 also allows video audition submissions. Those who have submitted video auditions do not have to come to an open call, but it can be a great way to meet the producers face-to-face and make a lasting impression.
RELATED: Richard Goodall's Wife Is the Reason He Auditioned For AGT
How your audition gets on NBC's broadcast
In-person and virtual auditions come before Acts perform before the Judges, which are the episodes we see aired during the earliest weeks of new seasons over the summer. So getting past production is the first step before you can see yourself on NBC.
"We have open call auditions virtually to reach as many people as possible," Graham told NBC Insider. "Anybody can sign up and have an audition with our casting team and producers. If they think that somebody is worth considering, they put them through to our executive producers. After they say yes, then the Act will go to audition in front of the Judges. We all see everything play out from there."
Psst — if you have someone in your life that you believe would work wonders on the AGT stage, you can also nominate a loved one for consideration in the upcoming season. View the complete list of AGT audition eligibility requirements here.
What are producers and the Judges looking for?
While there's no denying many of the Acts we've seen audition since Season 1 have an certain ineffable "It" factor, Graham admits the series never has anything specific in mind when viewing auditions. They just want to see, well, to put it simply... talent!
"Because it's a variety show, they want to make sure they’re finding the best singers, dancers, contortionists, and more. Anybody with any talent can audition," she said. "We want the best of the best, no matter what the talent is and no matter who they are. So we encourage everybody with any talent to audition, and if it’s something that we love, something that we think America will love, we will put them in front of the Judges. We just want to really represent America and the great and diverse talent that we have out there."
Once you've gotten past production and made it in-front of the Judges, master magician and Season 13 winner Shin Lim has some valuable, simple advice when it comes to being on national television: Be prepared.
RELATED: Inside the Exhilarating — and Totally Free — AGT Live Shows
"The worst thing you can do, especially if you’re broadcasting your talent to the world, is to not be prepared," Lim told NBC Insider. "When you’re not prepared, then other factors come in that mess you up. There's music, there’s timing. 'Get the right shot for this camera angle,' or, 'Look at this camera, at that angle,' so they can show you well. If you’re not prepared with your own Act, you can’t focus on the little things, which really do matter for TV."
He continued, "That can be distracting if you’re not comfortable with that. You’re like, 'Oh I’ve got to stand here at this moment. I forgot about that.' It seems like a really minor thing, but it actually ends up being really important."
How to get a Golden Buzzer
Again, there's no exact science to receiving AGT's greatest honor. It's all up to the Judge's feelings in that moment. Graham even confesses that production is often surprised by their choices.
"Sometimes they just love something that we never would’ve expected them to. Other times, they’re listening to the audience and they notice that someone really moves them, and so they’ll go for that," she says. "There are a lot of contestants who have something special. When they’re auditioning, you can just feel it in the room. But we never know, 'This is a guaranteed Golden Buzzer,' because none of it is produced. It’s all organic. So it really is down to the Judges and who they love."
Originally published Nov 19, 2024.
