Kenny to judge American Idol auditions

Dr. Kenneth Powell will serve as one of the local judges for Fox’s “American Idol” open auditions on Saturday July 17 for the show’s 10th season.

The auditions will be held at Tanger Outlets, 2200 Tanger Blvd., Suite 509, in Washington, Pa.

Contestants will sing at least 30 seconds of a song of their choice a capella. Performers will be between 15 and 28 years old as of July 15 and a legal resident of the Pittsburgh area.

Dr. Powell and other local judges, from WPGH Fox 53 and the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, will select one hopeful for a guaranteed audition in front of “American Idol” producers and casting executives in East Rutherford, N.J. The person selected to audition also will receive round-trip airfare for two (the performer and one guest) and one night’s accommodation in East Rutherford.

The station expects about 200 people to audition, said Dan Zimmerman of Fox 53.