The Haywood Arts Regional Theater is once again presenting a chance for area talent to take home the gold with the Second Annual “Haywood’s Got Talent” event in September.

HART is offering a $1,000 top prize for the winner and cash prizes for the two runners up. Contestants are not limited to Haywood County, and there are no age limit or category restrictions. However, all contestants must first make it past a screening audition.

Everything from musicians to jugglers to dancers to acrobats are encouraged to come in and audition from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18, and at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 19. Anyone unable to attend auditions may submit a recorded audition via mail to HART at P.O. Box 1024, Waynesville, NC 28786 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or YouTube prior to auditions.

Those who get past the initial audition will be part of a semifinal round of performances during Labor Day weekend, which will be presented as full variety shows on the HART main stage.

There will be three guest adjudicators at each level who will narrow the field down. The finals will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 22 and will be presented as one evening featuring the best of the best.

At the end of the evening at both the semi-final and final rounds, the audience will be allowed to cast a vote which will count 25 percent towards the final outcome. The winner selected by the three judges, and the audience will be presented with a check for $1,000, and the runner-up will received $300 and $200 prizes.