Audition season officially kicked off for the 5th Annual Morning Pointe Foundation Seniors Got Talent variety show in Lexington.

This year, the age requirement has been lowered to 60. Any senior or group ages 60 or older can try out to compete at the big show on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m., at the historic Lexington Opera House.

Another change is an increase in prize money. The first-place winner will receive $1,000, with the second-place winner receiving $500 and third place winning $250. A People’s Choice Award will also be presented based on audience votes.

Acts have included singers, musicians, dancers, poets, comedians and more. Groups are limited to a maximum of six performers.

Watch our auditions video…

Seniors Got Talent is produced by the Morning Pointe Foundation (a nonprofit) in partnership with Morning Pointe Senior Living, but contestants do not have to be affiliated with Morning Pointe. Most are not. Proceeds from show sponsorships and ticket sales support the Foundation’s funds for local college scholarships.

Auditions are being accepted online at morningpointefoundation.com/events/seniors-got-talent/ through Aug. 2. In-person auditions will run July 1-18 at local Morning Pointe Senior Living communities.

Ten to 12 senior acts will be chosen from the auditions to compete at the show. Contestants will be judged on technical ability, stage presence and professionalism, appearance/costume, difficulty of act and originality/creativity.

“We are so excited to see who auditions this year, building on last year’s momentum,” said Miranda Perez, Morning Pointe Foundation executive director. “If you are 60 years young or older and you have a dream to share your talent, this could be your big moment to shine! And as a bonus, you’re supporting an event that’s helping local students reach their own dreams.”

Tickets will be $10 plus Ticketmaster and other fees and will go on sale in August.

The Morning Pointe Foundation hosts four Seniors Got Talent shows each year. Besides Lexington shows are held in Chattanooga, Franklin and Knoxville, Tennessee.

The Morning Pointe Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Morning Pointe Senior Living founded by senior healthcare entrepreneurs Greg A. Vital and J. Franklin Farrow. The 501(c)3 nonprofit was created in 2014 to provide caregiver support programs, sponsor educational awareness events and fund scholarships that advance the care of seniors throughout the Southeast. To date, the Foundation has bestowed more than 111 scholarships.

Founded in 1997 by Vital and Farrow, Morning Pointe Senior Living owns and operates 38 assisted living, personal care, and Alzheimer’s memory care communities in five southeastern states: Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama and Indiana.