Airmen from around the Air Force got the chance to showcase their talents during the Air Force Worldwide Talent Contest at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

This year, Tops In Blue officials went through 117 video applications looking for talent, selecting 61 applicants to compete in the talent show, held Nov. 11 to 13.

Tops In Blue officials announced the talent show first-place winners Nov. 14.

But before they got on stage, contestants went through a week of auditions -- racking up points to make it to the contest -- and competing for a spot in the 2006 Tops In Blue tour that hits the road April 1.

Airman 1st Class Bethany Schwartzkopf, from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, was here for her first audition. She competed in the musical variety category.

“When I first joined the Air Force, this wasn’t something I thought I’d be doing at all,” said the Airman, who has been in the Air Force nearly two years. “I found out about it when I first got in. People knew I could sing, and someone mentioned I should try out.”

Each year about 30 Airmen are chosen to tour with the Air Force’s “expeditionary entertainers.” While some go on stage to sing, others dance, play instruments or stay behind the scenes making sure the show goes as planned.

During the weeklong audition process, contestants go through a variety of auditions and a personal interview by Tops In Blue director Tom Edwards.

Every contestant, including the technicians, goes through each audition, whether he or she has that specific talent or not. Sometimes judges find a hidden talent or potential contestants may not have realized they had, said Jeri White, the troupe’s production manager.

“We’re not looking for the most talented person for Tops In Blue. We’re looking for a person who has potential,” she said. “That’s what Tops In Blue is all about. It’s about finding potential and helping to enhance that potential and grow into a seasoned performer.”

Former Tops In Blue members make up the panel of judges. Along with music, dance and instrumental auditions, contestants go through a specialty audition, consisting of improvisational theater.

“This lets us see if they can open up to an audience and if they can let go of their inhibitions,” said Staff Sgt. Amber Young, a vocalist on the 2005 tour stationed at Lackland. “The phrase that we use often is, ‘Give it up.’”

“We don’t decide who’s on the team,” said Capt. William Middleswart, another vocalist on the 2005 tour from Keesler AFB, Miss. “Basically what we’re doing here is part of the actual contest scores. We also provide our input to Mr. Edwards, who makes the final selection of makes the team.

“They’re related but separate entities,” he said. “You could very well win the contest but not be selected for the team.

"The biggest misconception is that if you come here and you’re the best singer, that you’ll automatically make the team,” the captain said.

To win first or second place in the talent show is primarily determined by the primary category audition, interview and the performance on stage at the show.

Besides the week-long auditions, contestants also go through a technical review. Here they get the chance to perform what they will be doing in the contest with a live band.

“Most contestants have never sung with a band before -- or in front of a live audience,” Ms. White said. “We try to give them some training through these auditions that a performer on stage would need.

“We have a musical director who talks to each contestant, and then he writes a chart for that individual person for the pit band. (The band comprises) five prior Tops In Blue members who come from across the United States,” she said.

“(In the technical review) they get to work with the band one time before the dress rehearsal and then on the day of the show,” Ms. White said. “We record the band playing their song, and they can rehearse in different facilities with that.”

For most contestants, the week of auditioning and performing in front of a live audience can be nerve-wracking. That’s where the team leaders come into play.

“(As a team leader) my role is to take the (contestants) from day one and get them ready for their show performance,” said Master Sgt. Derrick Wright, a reservist who performed with the troupe in 1989 and 1991 while on active duty. “We take them from what they sent in (on video) and teach them as much as we possibly can. We also evaluate them to see how they would fit into the Tops In Blue program.”

Team leaders also teach them stage presence and correct vocal issues, among other things.

“I think probably the biggest thing we try and give them is confidence,” Sergeant Wright said. “(They’re) here for a reason and picked for a reason. It’s wonderful to see the transformation from day one to see them up on the stage. And that’s our goal -- to get them up on the stage and have them do the very best they can possibly do.”

Commanders will notify those selected for the 2006 tour by Nov. 22, but until then, contestants are keeping their fingers crossed.

“(If I make the team) I’m expecting a lot of hard work -- more work than I’ve ever done in my life. But it’ll be so worth it,” Airman Schwartzkopf said. “I’ll be able to develop my talent and use them in the Air Force, that’s incredible.”

But if not one of those selected, Airman Schwartzkopf said she will not give up.

“If I didn’t make it, I’d be back next year to audition again,” she said. “The experience of being here and being selected out of everyone in the Air Force is amazing.”

The first-place winners of the talent show were:

-- Male vocalist: Airman Bryce Zabric from Dyess AFB, Texas.

-- Female vocalist: Senior Airman Danielle Hughes from RAF Lakenheath.

-- Instrumental: Staff Sgt. Robert Del Valle from MacDill AFB, Fla.

-- Musical variety: Airman Schwartzkopf.

-- Dance: Senior Airman Shiloh Pogue from Eglin AFB, Fla.

-- Best of Show: Airman Schwartzkopf.