Auditions Heat Up For Morning Pointe Foundation’s Seniors Got Talent Chattanooga As Past Contestant Takes National Spotlight

You never know where the Morning Pointe Foundation’s Seniors Got Talent might take you. Just ask Sandy Larson.

The 70-year-old dancer from Knoxville and her group, Sandy and the Sandsation Dancers, took home second place at a Morning Pointe Foundation Seniors Got Talent showcase—and now, she’s made her national TV debut on “America’s Got Talent.”

And Ms. Larson is not alone. Fellow past participant Corkey Miller, a crowd-favorite comedian, was also featured on the national stage after earning first place in Knoxville. Other contestants have even gone on to perform at iconic venues like the Grand Ole Opry.

Now, it’s your turn. The spotlight is heating up in the Tennessee Valley as auditions open for the 2025 Seniors Got Talent Chattanooga, with local seniors once again invited to take center stage for a shot at the $1,000 grand prize—and maybe something even bigger.

Any senior or group (six members or fewer) can try out to compete at the big show on Thursday, July 31, at 7 p.m. at the 650-seat Silverdale Center Creekside Theatre, part of Silverdale Baptist Academy at 7236 Bonny Oaks Drive in Chattanooga. The requirements? To be at least 60 years young and have some form of performing talent.

“This show is so important for those of us over 60 to show that maybe we’ve still got it,” said Susan Taylor, first-place winner of last year’s Morning Pointe Foundation Seniors Got Talent show in Chattanooga.

A panel of judges will decide first, second and third place, with prizes of $1,000, $500 and $250 for the winners. People’s Choice will also be awarded based on audience votes.

“It’s the best experience I’ve had in a long time,” shared Bobby Leib, who, along with his wife, Karen, took second place at last year’s Franklin Seniors Got Talent showcase for their dance routine.

Seniors Got Talent is produced by the Morning Pointe Foundation nonprofit in conjunction with Morning Pointe Senior Living, but the pool of contestants is open to any senior. Proceeds from show sponsorships and ticket sales support the Foundation’s funds for scholarships at partner colleges. These include Chattanooga State Community College, TCAT Chattanooga, Dalton State College, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Cleveland State Community College.

Auditions are being accepted online at morningpointefoundation.com/seniorsgottalent. Seniors can also sign up at the website for in-person auditions, which will run June 9-13 at local Morning Pointe Senior Living communities:
- Monday, June 9 from 1-3 p.m. at Morning Pointe of Greenbriar Cove, 9650 Leyland Dr. in Ooltewah;
- Tuesday, June 10 from 1-3 p.m. at Morning Pointe at Happy Valley, 2989 Happy Valley Road in Rossville;
- Wednesday, June 11 from 1-3 p.m. at Morning Pointe of Hixson, 5501 Old Hixson Pike in Hixson;
- Thursday, June 12 from 5-7 p.m. at Morning Pointe of East Hamilton, 1776 Generations Way (9700 Block E. Brainerd Road) in Ooltewah; and
- Thursday, June 12 from 1-3 p.m. at Morning Pointe of Chattanooga, 7719 Shallowford Road in Chattanooga.

The final deadline for auditions is June 20. 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.

“Each year, our Chattanooga Seniors Got Talent show just gets better and better, and the seniors really bring out all the stops,” said Miranda Perez, Morning Pointe Foundation executive director. “We love that not only are we raising funds for the Foundation to help students in the area pursue their education, but we are giving seniors a chance to show that age is just a number.”

Tickets will be $10 and will go on sale closer to the event.

The Foundation hosts four Seniors Got Talent shows each year. Besides Chattanooga, shows are held in Franklin and Knoxville, as well as Lexington, Ky.