'American Idol' Auditions Start Friday at Heinz Field

The Pine-Richland community already has a singing star in 11-year-old Jackie Evancho, but is the next "American Idol" amongst us also?

Auditions for the FOX TV show will be held Friday at Heinz Field.

Registration for auditions starts Wednesday. To register, an applicant must go to Heinz Field for an "American Idol" wristband, which will be distributed along with a seating pass from 7 a.m. Wednesday until 8 a.m. on Friday, according to the "American Idol" website. Auditioners will not be permitted to camp out.

Once an auditioner obtains a wristband and seating ticket, he or she will be asked to return to Heinz Field by 5 a.m. on Friday.

"Remember, if you wait until the audition day to register you will be one of the last people to register and we may run out of space or time to accommodate you," warns "American Idol's" website. "Registration does not guarantee you the opportunity to audition."

Contestants must be between the ages of 15 and 28 on June 26. Contestants also must prove they are legal U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents who are eligible to work full-time in the United States 

American Idol Affiliate program winners must check in by 7 a.m. on audition day and must have a letter and identification. 

For more information about auditions or to print the release forms, see the show's website.

Pittsburgh Police said they are expecting between 10,000 and 20,000 people to turn out early Wednesday morning and continue to pour into the North Side this week during the "Idol" registration and audition sessions.

Police Bureau spokeswoman Diane Richard said would-be contestants and morning rush-hour commuters should be aware that traffic and pedestrian congestion is likely to be extremely heavy around Heinz Field, PNC Park, parking lots adjacent to both stadiums and throughout the North Shore.

Off-duty officers hired for private details will augment on-duty officers assigned to the North Shore for traffic and crowd control, she said.

"We ask that motorists pack patience," Richard said.

Police are urging people headed to the North Shore this week to park Downtown and walk across the Allegheny River to the North Side. Motorists also should consider carpooling or arranging to be dropped off and picked up at spots some distance from the stadium she said.