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Cedar City Star Search
Welcome to Cedar City Star Search!
Cedar City Star Search is an incredible opportunity for our community to showcase all types of talent, including singing, dancing, spoken word, solo musicians and bands, and, of course, let's not forget comedians, magicians and other variety acts! If you have an awesome talent that you want to share with Cedar City— now is your time to shine!
12 finalist acts compete for a chance to win $250, in their age division or category!
*MARCH 2023 DATE COMING SOON*
2022's Celebrity Judges
JUDGE #1
R. Scott Phillips, City CouncilmemberFor over 42 years, R. Scott Phillips has worked in the public relations, marketing, and theatre administration fields. He recently stepped down as executive director of the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, Utah after guiding that organization as its CEO for a decade. Mr. Phillips received his bachelor’s degree from Southern Utah University and continued his master’s degree in theatre administration at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho. Mr. Phillips received the Outstanding Male Staff Member at Southern Utah University in 1990 and a 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Utah Theatre Association.
Most recently Mr. Phillips was re-elected to serve a four-year term as a member of the Cedar City Council. He has been actively involved in political advocacy on the local, state, regional and national level for many years. Mr. Phillips has lived in Cedar City for 44 years and is proud to call Cedar City his home. He enjoys travel, hiking, gardening and spending time with family and friends.
JUDGE #2
Chuck Triplett, Local MusicianChuck grew up and graduated from Lincoln County High School in 1988 and immediately joined the Untied States Army for 8 years. He served tours in Germany, Washington and Korea during his initial 8 years. After getting out of the Army in 1997 he moved to Cedar City Utah to attend Southern Utah University and joined the Utah National Guards 2-222. Shortly after moving to Cedar City he started working at the Iron County Sheriff’s Office. While working at the Sheriff’s Office he got a criminal justice degree with a minor in psychology with honors in 2001.
While in the Utah National Guard he was direct commissioned to Lieutenant and eventually retired in 2013 as a Major with 25 years of service (13 active and 12 guard). During his time in the Utah National Guard he served as Headquarters Battery Commander here in Cedar City, Southern Utah ROTC professor / recruiter and 2-222 Operations Officer. He completed several deployments including 2 tours in Iraq. He retired with multiple military awards including the Bronze Star (2), Combat Action Badge, Meritorious Service Medal and is a Saint Barbara Day Award.
In 2018 Chuck retired from the Iron County Sheriffs Office as a sergeant with 20 years of service. He is married to the love of his life Sandra for the past 31 years and they have two children, Julian and Paul, daughter in-law Melissa and their first grandbaby Max.
While living in Cedar City Chuck has been very active in the local music community playing hundreds of shows and recording 4 albums with his band Bottled Monkey, 2 albums with Full Tilt Boogie, 1 album with Mountaintop sound and an album with Masons Jar of Jam. He is currently playing in the group Kimmee B that is currently staring to play shows and work on original music.
Chuck is the current Commander of Chapter 49-4 of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. This is a 501.c.19 non profit that raises money to help local veterans.
JUDGE #3
Ashtyn Giles, Miss Color Country's Outstanding TeenAshtyn Giles is born and raised in Cedar City and began dancing at three years old. Ashtyn is a current Student Body Officer and honors Senior at Cedar High School. She is a four year member of the Mohey Tawa drill team and the former senior captain. Ashtyn is trained in numerous styles of dance including ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, modern and her favorite contemporary. She has placed both first and second place in the 4A contemporary solo competition two years in a row 2021-2022.
She is the current 2022 Dance Sterling Scholar of Cedar High School, qualified for All-Region and chosen as a member of the 2022 All-State dance team. Ashtyn believes that in order to keep growing as a dancer you need to continue to push yourself and look for opportunities to share your talent. She currently trains at Ignite Dance Company with the director, Janene McCurdy. Ashtyn is an instructor at Ignite where she assists in youth dance and tumbling instruction. Recently, she helped raise $115,000 for the Children's Justice Center dancing as a contestant. As a contestant, she choreographed a country swing dance for her and her partner and was awarded the Judges Choice Award.
Ashtyn is the former Miss Iron County Outstanding Teen and the current Miss Color Country's Outstanding Teen. Most recently she competed at the state level in the Miss Utah’s Outstanding Teen competition where talent was 40% of the overall score. Ashtyn assisted in choreographing her dance solo for the competition and placed in the Top 8 as a finalist and recipient of the Committee’s Choice Award. Ashytn plans on dancing in college and loves sharing her passion as an athlete and artist.
APPLICATIONS CURRENTLY CLOSED
Check back soon for when applications open.
Please read all the rules and guidelines prior to submitting.
1. Applications for Cedar City Star Search (CCSS) must be completed in their entirety and submitted to Cedar City Office by Feb 14, 2021. Late applications will not be accepted. Applicants will be notified by Mon, Feb 22 if they were selected to compete as a finalist at the Cedar City Star search on March 19, 2021.
2. Cedar City Star Search is open to all family-friendly acts, including singing, dancing, juggling, magic, playing an instrument, dramatic recitation, spoken word, we want to see what unique talents you have.
3. Applicants must reside in Iron County, Utah. If applicants are under 18, they will be required to fill out a parental consent form with the application.
4. Nonresidents may participate in CCSS as long as they are in a band or group where a majority of the members reside in Iron County.
5. All acts MUST submit an online audition to perform at Cedar City Star Search. A panel of judges from the Cedar City Star Search Committee will determine which online submissions qualify to participate in the event, scheduled for March 19, 2021, at the Heritage Theater. If needed, an in-person audition may be requested.
6. In addition to the Cedar City Star Search Performance date, all acts will be required to show up for a brief soundcheck and dress rehearsal on March 18, 2021. Scheduling of the dress rehearsal time slots will occur when finalists are announced on February 22nd.
7. All performances are monitored for content and may not contain inappropriate lyrics, references, gestures or profanity.
8. All performance attire and/or costumes must be deemed appropriate by the panel of judges and the event director.
9. Auditions are submitted as a video via a publicly viewable YouTube link.
- Instructions for posting a video to YouTube
- If unable to submit via YouTube, a USB Drive (with act title and performers names) will be accepted at City Hall Office (10 N. Main Street)
- No longer than 5 minutes
- Clear Audio and Video
- Must have the name(s) of the performer(s) and the act's title in the description.
10. Cedar City Star Search auditions and performances will be no longer than 5 minutes.
11. Each applicant can have a single entry into Cedar City Star Search.
12. All decisions by the judges and the director of CCSS are final.
Age Divisions
- 4 -12
- 13 -18
- 19+
- Groups and Bands
The top 3 from each age division will compete against each other on March 19th at the Heritage Theater in front of a live audience, where a panel of local celebrity judges will choose a winner from each age division. The audience will also have a chance to choose their favorite.
Awards
Awards will be given to the winner of each category as well as an overall audience choice award.