A massive group of children caught Elaina Jackson's attention at a hotel in Houston, Texas, last year. Jackson is the director of development and marketing at the Mississippi Children's Museum, and she and her coworkers were attending a museum conference. They all noticed the large crowd. These particular children weren't part of the conference agenda; they were at the hotel for a talent search.
"Droves and droves of children were in their Sunday best," Jackson said. The MCM staffers thought a talent search might make a perfect fundraiser back home.
That was how the idea for "Lights, Camera, Imagination" began. The museum will hold the talent search April 27 beginning at 5:30 p.m. in its Arts Gallery. Contestants must register online and pay a $10 entry fee.
Within the first hour of opening online registration April 9, a dozen entries came in, Jackson said. The competition is limited to the first 200 applicants.
Four children will win a chance to star in print ads, billboards and broadcast commercials promoting the Mississippi Children's Museum. Judges will choose one child from each of three age groups: 3 to 5 years old, 6 to 8 years old and 9 to 12 years old. The fourth child will be the grand-prize winner from all age categories.
The event won't be all business. The museum plans activities and fun for children and their families that evening.
"What we are really hoping to do is encourage children to perform and have confidence," Jackson said. "We are not looking for an Oscar winner or a certain type."
To register or learn more about the talent search, visit http://www.mississippichildrensmuseum.com
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