Seven local teens recently advanced to the semi-final stage of the 3^rd Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition.

Of the four acts from Webster Groves High School who competed in the preliminary stage on Feb. 9-10, all of them advanced and will compete in the semi-final round competition March 2. 

Editor's Note:  Photos were not available for all local contestants, but can be added by readers to this article package.

During the semi-final round of competition, 10 to 12 acts will be chosen to compete in the finals at The Fox on April 12, which is free admission.

The contest got under way Feb. 9-10 when 155 high school students took their acts onstage in the preliminary round of a competition sponsored by the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation.

See previous Patch article listing all of the local, preliminary competitors:  Webster Groves Teens Vie for Spot on Fox Theatre Stage

The Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation first produced the Teen Talent Competition in 2011 to showcase St. Louis region’s most talented teens in the performing arts, including singers, dancers, actors, musicians, comedians and circus arts performers. They compete as solo acts or in groups as many as six.

Organizers of the Teen Talent Showcase said the number of entries increased more than 30 percent this year, and include an even wider variety of acts. The competition process, filmed by Miano.tv, will be available on the Teen Telent Showcase SchoolTube channel, donated by SchoolTube.com. Highlights of last year’s event and the winning performances from the 2011 and 2012 Showcase can be seen on SchoolTube and YouTube pages. 

A total of $15,000 in scholarships will go to the top three finalists. Additional scholarships and prizes include:  $1,000 from UMSL to first place; scholarships from Lindenwood and Missouri Baptist for all participants; scholarships from Webster and SEMO to all finalists; and an additional $7,500 in special prizes will be awarded to contestants. A full list of special awards and prizes can be found on the FPACF website. Both The Muny and STAGES will offer one student the opportunity to participate in a 2013 production.   

FPACF directors also provide the finalists with additional opportunities to perform at area events throughout the year. Last year finalists showcased their talents at the Shakespeare Festival, Webster’s Art & Air Festival, The Muny, National Dance Week Celebration and Dancing in the Street.