About

MAJOR PRIZES
MASSIVE OPPORTUNITIES

Since our launch in 2013, we have awarded over $250,000 of value in prizes including music videos, studio equipment, recording deals, and photoshoots.

Our most notable prize is our Cover Band Concert, which gives our winners the opportunity to star in their very own live show with a band!

Apply

APPLICATIONS CLOSED.
LIVE ON STAGE - MAY 2024

Founded in 2013, Take the Mic embraces 1000+ performers nationally each year, offering invaluable stage experience, and industry exposure through singing competitions and musical theatre productions. The Take the Mic team are thrilled to be able to return the competition to the stage in 2023, in its original live format, now celebrating 10 years!

HOW TO APPLY

Download the information pack and review all the competition details including audition info, rules, and conditions.
Complete the online application form by Sunday April 7 (10:00pm)
Wait to hear back from Take the Mic to see if you're successful & for further information. Apply ASAP as applications are reviewed weekly, and competition is subject to availability.

INFORMATION PACK

DOWNLOAD - INFO PACK

Before applying please make sure you've read the information pack including all rules, competition breakdown, and terms & conditions!

JOIN THE WAITLIST

JUDGE ANNOUNCEMENT!

PREVIOUS JUDGES

TAYLOR HENDERSON Australia’s Got Talent, and X-Factor Winner.

THANDO SIKWILA Pop and R&B singer-songwriter, Top 4 Voice Finalist 2022.

CALLUM FRANCIS is an international musical theatre star, best known for his portrayal as 'Lola' in Kinky Boots on Broadway, London's West End, and the Australian Tour.

KATIE WESTON Pop/Rock vocalist and composer, with a Master’s Degree in Contemporary Voice (Melb Uni/MCM), a Bachelor's Degree in Music Composition (VCA).

ALINTA CHIDZEY is an acclaimed jazz vocalist, songwriter, recording artist, and musical theatre leading lady. Currently stars as Satine Moulin Rouge the Musical (Australia)

GRAEME ISAACO The voice Finalist 2020, and Musical Theatre performer. Stared as 'Aladdin' in Disney's Aladdin the Musical throughout the Australia, New Zealand, and Asia tour.

JOSH PITERMAN musical theatre performer and classical crossover artist. West End (UK) debut as 'The Phantom' in The Phantom of the Opera in 2019, and the current Australian Tour 2022 - 2024.

FAQ

KEY DATES

VIDEO AUDITIONS CLOSE Sunday, April 7 at 10:00pm

LIVE HEATS Saturday May 4 / Sunday May 5

GRAND FINALS Saturday July 13 / Sunday July 14

Please maintain availability for all key dates, as Division Heat/Grand Final times are subject to change. Competitors will only be required on one of the two days each weekend, and the Division Heats/Grand Finals will run for approximately two hours each.

COMPETITION BREAKDOWN

ROUND 1: Video Submissions: The Take the Mic team will review all video submissions and select Contestants to proceed to the live performances. Entry to the live competition is not guaranteed.

ROUND 2: Live Heats: Successful Contestants will take to the stage, with a live performance in front of a panel of judges & audience.

ROUND 3: Grand Final: Top placing Contestants from previous rounds will battle it out to see who will take home the Grand Prize.

HOW TO ENTER

Record a video audition.
Complete the online application form at www.takethemic.com.au/apply
Nominate two song options for the competition. The Take the Mic team will choose one for you to perform live if you are selected to progress.

Applications close Sunday April 7 at 10:00pm, or until allocation is exhausted. Applications are reviewed in order of submission, so please apply early.

VIDEO AUDITION DETAILS

Record a video of you singing. This could be from a previous performance, or a simple recording at home.
Upload your audition video to YouTube (no other formats accepted)
Make sure the privacy is set to either Unlisted, or Public.
Click share, and copy the link into your Take the Mic application form.

Your video submission must be performed to music, such as a live instrument or backing track. This does not have to be the song that you’d like to perform in the competition.

Take the Mic is open to all skill levels & vocal styles, and we want to make sure you’re placed with singers of similar experience. The team are not expecting any sort of professional video production or performance for your video submission, we just want to get to know your voice and personality! 

AGE DIVISIONS

Junior Division 8-12

Teen Division 13-17
Young Adult Division 18-24

Open Division 25+

SONG OPTIONS

Contestants are to provide two song options, one of which must be an up-tempo song. The Take the Mic team will select one of these options for you to perform in the live competition.

NEW: CATEGORIES

Contemporary (All Divisions)
Musical Theatre (Junior & Teen Divisions Only)
*You may only apply for one category

VENUE

Chapel off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran. 150 seat theatre.

One of Melbourne’s most popular live performance venues for arts, music, and theatre.

SHOW FEE

The show fee is $59, payable upon acceptance into the Competition.
Includes: Competition entry, personal written critique from two professional industry judges, professional video recording, and photography of your performance.

ADDITIONAL COSTS

Optional Extra Performance Feedback Package - $19

An additional personal critique of your performance by a Take the Mic representative or industry judge, which also reviews the previous judges’ feedback, and provides a breakdown or your score. This will be sent as an audio recording.

Tickets to each performance are from $25 for U18s, and $35 for 18+.
*Transaction fees may apply

JUDGING CRITERIA

Vocals (scored out of 10): Including but not limited to; technique, tone, breath, timing, diction, vocal range.

Song Choice (scored out of 5): Arrangement, interpretation, and suitability.

Performance & Story Telling (scored out of 5): Nonverbal communication including stage presence, audience engagement, entertainment value, and truthful delivery of the lyrics.

AUDIENCE VOTING

Every ticket sold counts as an Audience Vote for the associated competitor. Audience votes will not disrupt the fair nature of judges scores. These votes will be used for tiebreakers only.

PRIZES

To be announced shortly! Previous prizes have included professionally produced music videos, recording deals, musical recording equipment, and masterclasses (to name a few). Take the Mic have awarded over $250,000 of value in prizes over the last 10 years.

Terms and Conditions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

WHAT SHOULD I SING?
You may sing any style within your category. It must not contain explicit language, and should be appropriate for the age range of your division. Most importantly, provide song options that will entertain your audience.

CAN I PERFORM IN BOTH CATEGORIES?

Unfortunately, at this time you can only perform in one category. Either Contemporary, or Musical Theatre.

DO I HAVE TO BRING PEOPLE TO WATCH THE SHOW?

We strongly encourage competitors to bring friends & family to watch the performance as the show is designed for a live audience, and is a lot more fun with someone cheering you on from the audience. This event is not on sale to the general public.

HOW MUCH IS THE COMPETITION?

The show fee is $59 which includes competition entry, personal critique from two professional industry judges after each live performance, and professional video recording and photography of each performance.

HOW MUCH ARE AUDIENCE TICKETS TO THE SHOW?

Tickets range from $25 - $35. + transaction fees

DO I HAVE TO PERFORM LIVE?

Yes. All performances are live.

WHAT IS THE AGE LIMIT?
Junior Division 8 – 12
Teen Division 13 – 17

Young Adults 18 - 24

Open Division 25+

WHERE DO I APPLY?

www.takethemic.com.au/apply

CAN I HAVE SOMEONE ACCOMPANY ME, OR PLAY A LIVE INSTRUMENT?

No. To keep the competition fair and to focus on vocals, live instruments are not permitted. All performances are to backing tracks only.

CAN THE MUSIC HAVE BACKING VOCALS?
The backing track is NOT permitted to have any backing vocals.

WHAT IS THE SKILL LEVEL?
Take the Mic is open for all experience levels and vocal styles. We aim to group people of similar experience levels together.

WHO CANNOT ENTER?

Contestants must be unsigned, and do not making a living wage from performing.

I’VE WON A PREVIOUS TAKE THE MIC COMPETITION. CAN I ENTER?

Grand Final winners are not permitted to re-enter unless they’ve moved into a new age division or category.

DO I HAVE BE AN AUSTRALIAN RESIDENT?
The competition is currently only available to Victorian residents; Those that do not hold Australian citizenship, or permanent visa, may not be eligible for prizes.

IS THERE A TIME LIMIT?

Under 4 minutes per song is our preference.

CAN I SING AN ORIGINAL?
Yes, we love to hear original work.

CAN I SING ACAPELLA (without music)?

No. Must be with a backing track.

DO I GET TO SEE THE SCORES?
No. We do not find providing the scores constructive, but all Contestants will receive personal written feedback. You can view a more comprehensive breakdown of your scores by purchasing the Extra Performance Feedback Package (if selected)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Contestants under 18 years old must have a parent or guardian attend the event with them.
Contestants must be unsigned, and do not make a living wage from performing.
The show fee is non-refundable, however it may be transferred for entry in another season, at the sole discretion of Take the Mic.
Take the Mic reserves the right to add/reduce the number of contestants at any time.
Take the Mic reserves the right to change the dates and times of the Event for any reason.
All prizes are subject to availability, and may change at any time.

MEDIA RELEASE & CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT

1.1 MEDIA RELEASE: I give full permission to Take the Mic to use my name and image in any aspect in relation to the singing competition event or Take the Mic general use. I understand that any part of this production may be filmed and photographed, and I give full permission to Take the Mic to use these recordings in all media including print, broadcast, radio, and social media, at any stage during, or after the production has concluded.

1.2 CONFIDENTIALITY: I understand and agree to maintain this confidentiality agreement for anything in relation to the company of Take the Mic and its competition event. I agree to keep all aspects of the production confidential, including conversations in person or online, any contracts or documents, music materials, or intellectual property.