Wilhelmina Philadelphia talent and modeling agency is co-producing its first local television project, “Philly Kids Got Talent,” with WMCN and will begin holding open calls July 26.  Wilhelmina Models in Philadelphia is casting a total of 80 children and teenagers across five categories, who will then be invited to compete in a 10-week talent competition that will air locally on WMCN in 2015. WMCN is a co-producer.

The first open call is Saturday, July 26 at Cherry Hill Mall in Cherry Hill, New Jersey from Noon to 8 p.m.

The second open call will be held at Willow Grove Park in Willow Grove, Pa., on Saturday, Aug. 9, from Noon until 8pm.

The competition categories are: singing; dancing; acting; comedy and magic; and musical talent.

A panel of judges will watch the live performances and provide positive feedback, although their final decisions will be made confidentially at a later date.

The 80 contestants who are ultimately selected will be divided across 10 shows and tape their performances before a studio audience in January. The resulting shows will then air in an hour-long prime time slot, followed the next day by a results show during which the winner will be announced.

There will be one winner each week, selected in part by viewers’ votes over a 24-hr period following the show. The weekly winners will compete against each other in a live finale for a prize package that includes, among other things, a management contract with Wilhelmina Philadelphia.

To put the show together, the agency tapped into its nationwide network of producers, talent scouts, acting and voice coaches and directors, as well as local partner WMCN.

Details about the open calls are online at PhillyKidsGotTalent.com or by calling Wilhelmina Philadelphia at 484-368-3240. Parents are strongly encouraged to review the requirements and contestant agreement before the audition dates, and to arrive early since auditions are on a first-come, first-seen basis.

Contestants must be between 5 – 17 years of age to audition.