The Spotlight competition provides cash scholarships and artistic development to empower high school students by emphasizing preparation, courage, critical thinking and perseverance while providing an invaluable opportunity for students to hone their performing skills! Southern California High School students of ALL skill levels are encouraged to apply for free.
Scholarship Details
- Over $100,000 in cash scholarships awarded annually
- Open to high school students of all skill levels in Southern California
- Offers personalized feedback from expert judges
- Includes access to mastery classes with world-renowned artists
- Grand Prize Finale includes live performance and coaching
- Multiple artistic categories: Acting, Ballet, Dance, Classical Voice, Non-Classical Voice, Classical Instrumental, Contemporary Instrumental
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a high school student enrolled as of December 31, 2025
- Must attend public, private, online, or home school in Southern California (Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Riverside, Kern, or San Bernardino counties)
- Not enrolled as a full-time college student
- Available for rehearsal on May 15th and final performance on May 16th if selected as a Grand Prize Finalist
- Ballet students may be eligible from out of state—see category rules
Application Process
- Visit the Spotlight website and complete the online application by October 13th
- Choose one or more performance categories to enter
- Prepare and upload your audition video
- Ensure all submitted materials follow the application and category guidelines
- Students under 18 must have parent/guardian consent
Spotlight Merit, Semifinalist and Honorable Mention awardees from the year prior will automatically bypass Preliminary 1 and advance to Preliminary 2 auditions. Merit Awardees must still submit a video for written evaluation. All must still fill out a new Spotlight application.
