Payne County’s Got Talent? You Bet it Does!


Photo provided by the 2021 Gala

Story provided by Payne County Youth Services

Payne County Youth Services will host their annual fundraising event, An Evening to Remember, on April 1, 2022, at the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts at OSU. This year’s theme is “Let Your Talent Shine,” and performers from throughout Payne County are invited to audition for a spot in the show.

’Let Your Talent Shine’ is a wonderful opportunity for the community to experience the diverse and unique talents of our neighbors,” said Payne County Youth Services Board of Directors Chairperson, Dustin Shanks. “The event is also an opportunity for entertainers to perform in the world-class McKnight Center and gain visibility and new fans. There’s no limit to the talent we expect to discover.” Whether it is musical performers, magic, comedy, dance, etc., all talent is welcome to audition.

Performers are encouraged to submit a 3-minute audition video by February 25, 2022. There is no cost to submit. Information about submission can be found at www.pcys.org or on Facebook. 

The entire Payne County community will be invited to watch auditions online at www.pcys.org  and vote securely on the PCYS website and Facebook page for their favorite performances between March 1 and March 15. Each vote costs just a dollar, money that goes to support Payne County Youth Services programs. The ten contestants with the highest number of votes will be invited to perform at the Friday, April 1 event at the McKnight Center. 

The event is expected to draw about three hundred people in person, to an evening of dinner, socializing, a wine pull ($10 per pull), cash bar, and the performances. Guests will also hear from service recipients who will share their story of resilience and hope. Patrons can attend either in-person at the McKnight Center or through a virtual option, which will still entitle guests to all the food and fun of the evening, through a drive-up opportunity to take the same great meal home as our in-person guests will enjoy. There is no limit to the number of guests who can pick up a meal and attend virtually with live-streaming via a protected log-in provided.

Individual tickets to the event are $75 each and dinner is included. Sponsorships are also available at varying levels to fit your needs. Best of all, proceeds from the event will support programming of Payne County Youth Services that include emergency sheltering for homeless, abused, neglected, at-risk, or Safe Place children and youth, mental health and substance abuse counseling and support, suicide prevention, Safe Sitter and Safe@Home classes, crisis intervention, LGBTQ+ resilience services, transitional living program, in-school services, school-based training for faculty/staff, parenting education and support, and other vital services to strengthen families and young people. All services are always free of charge to the service recipient and their families. For more information email [email protected], visit the PCYS website or Facebook, or call 405-377-3380. Send in your audition videos and get your reservations and sponsorships now!