SILVER SPRING, MD—For the first time ever, the Montgomery County Department of Parks is offering the chance for one lucky teen to be a ParkStar on The Parks Show—its award-winning 15-minute monthly television program on County Cable Montgomery.
“We are looking to offer one talented teenager—what we believe is—the coolest summer job opportunity around,” said The Parks Show Host Kelli Holsendolph.
The Department of Parks is hosting two open auditions this spring to try-out teen talent, ages 14 through 17, for their chance to work on and host The Parks Show over the summer, June through August 2008. One teen winner will spend a total of 12 days this summer writing, interviewing and hosting The Parks Show and working with the Department of Parks and the County Cable Montgomery office in all elements of television production. The winner can earn up to 100 Student Service Learning (SSL) hours—more than enough to meet the Montgomery County Public Schools graduation requirement—for their work on the show this summer.
“For teens who have considered a career in television,” said The Parks Show Producer Cathy Grubman, “this is a great opportunity.”
Eligible teens can come to either open audition:
– Saturday, March 29, 2008
Brookside Gardens Auditorium
1800 Glenallan Avenue
Wheaton, MD 20902
– Saturday, April 5, 2008
Agricultural History Farm Park Activity Center
18400 Muncaster Road
Derwood, MD 20855
Registration at both open auditions will begin promptly at 9:30 am and auditions will run from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Space is limited. The first 25 to register are guaranteed an audition.
“We’re going to try to see as many teens as we can during the time we have allotted, but we know it’s going to be a tight squeeze, so get there early,” added Grubman. “We will definitely audition the first 25 at both locations.”
Potential ParkStar’s must bring completed and parent or guardian signed official contest entry forms with them to one of the auditions. Those wishing to audition must also review the contest rules and prize information and practice the audition script in advance. Entry forms, contest rules and prize information and the audition script are available online at www.ParkStarSearch.com.
To choose the winner the Department of Parks and its invited guest judges will narrow down the field of prospects to at most 5 finalists after the last open audition.
“Then, we’re turning it over to you,” added Holsendolph, “for an open online public voting period—for you to pick the ParkStar!”
The department will post audition videos of the top 5 finalists online for the open public voting period, May 1 through May 15, 2008, also at www.ParkStarSearch.com. The winner will be announced in June.
The Parks Show, now in its 18th year, features the parks, programs and activities in the Montgomery County, Maryland parks system. The show is a joint production of the Montgomery County Department of Parks, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and the Montgomery County Council. The show airs three times daily on County Cable Montgomery (Comcast and RCN Channel 6 and Verizon FiOS Channel 30) and a link to watch streaming online video of The Parks Show is available from www.MontgomeryParks.org.
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Contact:
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866