Popular Chinese TV show expands auditions to US

A top television show from China will be seeking talent from the New York area to showcase a more diverse entertainment lineup for the program.

I Want to Perform in Chinese New Year Gala is a variety show produced by China Central Television (CCTV), featuring comedy, dance, drama and musical performances. The show is a qualifying competition for performing at one of the biggest celebrations for Chinese people, the CCTV's Chinese New Year Gala.

This year CCTV decided to go international in the search for talent, especially in the US. Auditions have already been held in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington. Audition winners will compete at the finals in California. The top 10 performers will earn a chance to go to Beijing and film a CCTV New Year Gala US feature episode.

At a press conference on June 14, it was revealed that auditions for the New York area will be set up by the American Confucius Foundation (ACF) and USAlifeonline.com.

"All legal American citizens and residents, regardless of age, race and professional background, are welcomed to attend the open auditions," said Sun Liansheng, the CEO of the USAlifeonline.com.

US auditions aim to facilitate the cultural exchange between the US and China and promote the image of Chinese Americans in US society, according to USAlifeonline.com.

Peter Koo, the Chinese-American councilman of New York City, said: "This competition will compensate for the lack of Chinese people in the entertainment industry in the US and enhance our image."

Jiao Zhixia, a past president and founder of the ACF, said: "Chinese culture is constantly changing, becoming more international and diverse. As a tradition of Chinese culture, the New Year Gala should correspond to that trend and include talent from all races."

"Platforms like I Want to Perform in Chinese New Year Gala provide a grassroots opportunity for performers to demonstrate their talent. By extending its scale to the US, I believe this TV show will be more influential and meaningful," said An Quanzhong, the current president of the ACF.

With an estimated viewership of nearly 800 million, CCTV's Chinese New Year Gala is an annual national event celebrating the Chinese New Year. It brings together Chinese from around the world and showcases Chinese culture. Famous actors and singers like Jackie Chen, Celine Dion and Sophie Marceau have performed at previous Galas.

(From left) Jiao Zhixia, president of China Confucius Foundation; Peter Koo, Councilman of New York City; Sun Liansheng, CEO of USAlifeonline.com, attend the press conference of "I want to perform at CCTV Chinese New Year Gala" in Flushing, Queens on June 14. Li Ang / For China Daily