Sisters impressionist bidding for slot on 'America's Got Talent'

Nathan Woodworth has stars in his eyes and the hope of a million dollars in his pocket. The young impressionist has been invited to audition for NBC's 2008 summer talent competition "America's Got Talent." Woodworth, a Sisters resident, is a homeschooled sophomore.

After sending a DVD sampling of his impersonations, Woodworth recently received a phone call from Nigel Lythgoe of America's dance reality program "So You Think You Can Dance." Lythgoe asked Woodworth to travel to Los Angeles to audition for "America's Got Talent."

"If they call you that means they're scouting you out. I will be going sometime in March or early April," said Woodworth. "I have to have 13 acts prepared, and I have to write them all myself. They all have to be between 90 seconds and three minutes."

Woodworth, who impersonates 64 voices, will first show off his talents during a 90-second audition to the brutal "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell, one of the executive producers of "America's Got Talent."

If he passes Cowell's muster Woodworth will go on to the next round and perform for this season's judges David Hasselhoff, Piers Morgan and Sharon Osbourne.

"If I make it up four levels, then I fly to Las Vegas, and I do a performance there," he said. Las Vegas is what the show calls its "boot camp" episode, where contestants have the opportunity to "perfect their craft."

If Woodworth is successful in Las Vegas, he will be offered a contract as one of the show's top 20 contestants.

"That's when America votes," Woodworth said.

Whether or not Woodworth makes it to the top 20 depends upon how the judges compare him to the others who are competing.

"The girl who won two years ago was a 12-year-old singer. She was really unique. Then, a ventriloquist won. It all depends on how unique you are," said Woodworth. "I think I have a shot for Las Vegas. It's a live show where they choose the top 20."

Clips that America's television audience view throughout the "America's Got Talent" series are taped in sessions like Woodworth's forthcoming audition with Cowell and his presentation at last Saturday night's Sisters Act Rides Again community talent show (see related story, page 3).

"This performance (at the Sisters High School auditorium) is going to be on TV," said Woodworth. When auditioning for the competition, "you're on TV the whole way out," he added.

Woodworth cannot remember when he did not do impressions.

"I started out with physical impressions before I could walk and talk, like the scarecrow in "The Wizard of Oz," he said. He well remembers his parents taking him to the doctor at a very young age thinking something was wrong with him because he could not walk straight. After examining him the doctor found nothing wrong and told his parents: "Your kid's just crazy," Woodworth reflected.

As he got older Woodworth started experimenting with vocal impressions after he saw Jim Carrey for the first time. "I really follow Rich Little, the dean of impressionists. He invited me to a show, and I got to meet him backstage. He's given me a lot of good advice," said Woodworth.