T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Upstaged talent competition organizer Taylore Frasnelly prepares for Thursday’s debut at St. Clairsville Amphitheater.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Upstaged, a new talent competition, is coming to the St. Clairsville Amphitheater.

Event organizer Taylore Frasnelly said the competition begins Thursday and will run for 10 weeks, concluding Aug. 6.

The competition will be held every Thursday at 7 p.m.

Contestant sign-ups will take place June 4 and June 11 and are free.

Frasnelly said this will be the inaugural Upstaged competition, though she has hosted several talent contests throughout the Ohio Valley over the years.

She said she reached out to St. Clairsville Recreation Director Eric Gay, who immediately supported bringing the event to the city venue.

“I approached him quite a few months ago and said, ‘Hey, I’ve got some contestants from events I’ve done in the past, and they’d really like to continue this tradition. We’re looking for a spot,'” Frasnelly said. “Instantly that day, he was like, ‘Yes, absolutely.’ They were all in, and those contestants were given free rein on how we wanted to set this up because without the contestants, an event like this is nothing. It’s not going to be successful if you don’t have contestants who are personable and entertaining. I really try to advocate for them and cater to what they would like to participate in.”

The competition will feature a panel of judges, including local business owners Amy Latham and Ann Marie McConaghy, as well as a weekly guest judge who will provide mentorship to contestants.

Frasnelly said weekly eliminations, determined by audience voting, will begin four or five weeks into the competition.

Each week will feature sponsors from area businesses and organizations.

Because of the weekly sponsorships, Frasnelly said it would be fun to have representatives from those organizations serve as guest judges.

The event is free for contestants and spectators. Frasnelly said attendees are asked to bring their own chairs.

“It’ll be festival-style seating, so you’ll have to bring your own chairs. Canopies are welcome as well for those who don’t want to sit in the sun,” Frasnelly said. “I think it’s going to be fun. It takes some time when you’re starting a new event like this. It takes some time to get your footing and get the word out. But the feedback I’ve heard so far from the community is that they’re excited to have something like this right in their backyard, and they’re excited to attend.”

She said she hopes the event continues to grow and becomes an annual tradition.

“We’ve already got a good bit of people signed up, and I’d like to see a few more,” Frasnelly said. “I don’t think everyone realizes the amount of talent that is here in Belmont County and the surrounding area.”

She said the competition will provide something for people of all ages to enjoy.

“It’s something for families because of the playground being right there,” Frasnelly said. “School’s out, and families sometimes find it difficult to find something fun to do together. So it’s a family-friendly event.”