Artists ages 14-24 can audition at two locations this summer; Finalists perform at T.I.P. Fest in Union Park
The Chicago Park District, in partnership with the John Walt Foundation, is proud to host the 8th annual Teens in the Park (T.I.P.) Festival on September 30, 2023 at Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St. Ahead of the festival, artists must register for one of two auditions to be eligible to participate in the culminating event.
The first audition takes place at Columbus Park, 500 S. Central Ave., on Saturday, July 15, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The second audition takes place at McKinley Park, 2210 W. Pershing Rd., on Friday, August 25, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Online pre-registration is highly encouraged and available until July 12th, however, drop-in registration will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/tip-fest to view the full schedule and register to perform at one of the auditions. Please be advised that by pre-registration allows for organizers to review and prepare musical tracks prior to the day-of event.
“T.I.P. Fest gives teens the opportunity to acquire meaningful production and performance experience while also practicing artistic expression,” said Chicago Park District Superintendent and CEO Rosa Escareño. “Our partnership with the John Walt Foundation is paramount to achieving our shared mission of empowering young people through creative expression.”
The T.I.P. Fest stage gives young artists, including singers, dancers, poets, spoken word artists, and musicians the platform to showcase their art and interact with other creators. From groups to solo performing artists, works from all genres, ethnicities, and languages are highly encouraged to demonstrate their talents.
Audition Information
Each audition will feature a panel of judges made up of representatives from the Chicago Park District, the John Walt Foundation, and T.I.P. Fest Alumni. Artists’ presentations must be up to 3 minutes.
To maintain professionalism and encourage respect among participants, organizers, and audience members, profanity, discriminatory remarks, and pejorative gestures are strictly prohibited within artist presentations.
The top five performances from each audition will be chosen by the judges to advance to the final performance at Union Park. Ten total performances will take place at T.I.P. Fest on September 30, 2023 at Union Park.
At the conclusion of T.I.P. Fest, the first-place performance will receive $500.00, second place will be awarded $250.00, and the third-place artist will win $150.00.