A regional youth talent show will take center stage at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts on Aug. 15, and young people between the ages of 7 and 18 are invited to audition this month.

“It was just something different,” said the Rev. Sylvia Copeland-Murphy of SCM Vision. She said her organization normally holds a summer camp for children but was unable to do so this year, so she decided to find another avenue to give young people something to do during the summer.

That’s how she came up with the idea for Hampton Roads Youth Got Talent.

“This is for the whole 757,” she said. “It’s just something for the kids.”

Single, acts as well as group acts with a maximum of four members, will be allowed in the talent show. Participants can sing, dance, play an instrument, perform spoken word or do any other talent that is not detrimental to or a risk to those around them.

Copeland-Murphy said she thinks performing a talent will help young people gain some self-esteem.

“I hope it will build their confidence and self-esteem, and they will be able to reach for their goals,” she said. “If you feel good about yourself, you can do anything.”

There’s a monetary incentive, too. The first-place winner will receive $1,000. Second place carries a $500 prize, and third place will receive $250.

“I feel like this will help some of the kids go back to school,” she said, noting that they can buy clothes and back-to-school supplies with their winnings.

“Really, Suffolk’s got talent,” Copeland-Murphy said.

Contestants must be between the ages of 7 and 18. There are no age categories. Performances should be three to five minutes long. Music will be screened, and profanity and vulgar lyrics will not be allowed.

Auditions will be held for a maximum of 75 contestants at Oak Grove Baptist Church, 2635 E. Washington St., from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. July 21-22. Only 24 contestants will be selected to perform in the talent show, which will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, 110 W. Finney Ave.

Separate, diverse judging panels will decide who moves forward from the auditions and then who wins the talent show.

Audition applications are due by 4 p.m. July 10. They can be obtained by calling 539-8010 from Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. They must be returned to SCM Vision at Oak Grove Baptist Church, 2635 E. Washington St. or mailed to SCM Vision Inc., P.O. Box 16253, Chesapeake, VA 23328 and postmarked by July 10.