Secure the venue. Choose a school auditorium, a theater, a concert hall or even a civic center. Discuss open dates and procedures for reserving the venue. Pay any necessary fees and make a reservation.
Set a date. Select a date and time for the show. Take into consideration which day of the week and what time of day would be most convenient for the majority of your talent pool and prospective audience members. Check community calenders to make sure your date won't be competing with other local events.
Take care of the details. Obtain stage lights. Make sure the venue has a sound system with at least two microphones. Hire a lighting technician and sound engineer.
Book a master of ceremonies who is well spoken and experienced with public speaking.
Book your talent. If it's an open event, put up signup sheets on bulletin boards; if it's a more exclusive event, hold auditions. Go to local concerts, clubs and shows to scout talent for your show.
Select your judges. Decide if you want the competition winners chosen by a panel of judges or by audience response. If you decide on a panel, select three to five people to serve as judges. If you opt for judging by audience response, gauge the volume of the crowd's applause.
Market your show. Create flyers and post them around town. Create a press release and submit it to your local newspapers and radio stations. Have your event placed on community calenders. Make use of social networking sites to advertise. Encourage your performers to invite their family members and friends.
Design programs that detail the talent line up and host; thank all volunteers and sponsors within the programs. Have them printed.
Create a performance agenda. Schedule the performers into time slots.
Hold at least two rehearsals. Be sure to have at least one rehearsal in the show venue.
Stick to the schedule on the night of the show.