Some of the area’s most talented performers took to the stage of the Turnage Theater Saturday afternoon, but only 15 of them were given a pass to the finals of the East Carolina Star Search competition.

Saturday’s auditions and the June 7 grand finale are fundraisers for Eagle’s Wings, a local food pantry.

“We are absolutely thrilled with the variety and the degree of talent,” said Janet Cox, who organized and directed the show with Debbie Adams. “It’s a shame we could only pick 15.”

The judges’ choices to perform in the finals are vocalist Acapella Cindy, acoustic guitarist James Nicholls, singer Addelyn Grace Espostito, dancers HipHopcrisy Teens, comedienne Nut-Z-Professor, musical group Back Porch Rockers, band K-OS, singer Paris Johnson, tap dancers The Floor Essence, vocalists River Song Trio, dancers Diva Life, singer/keyboard player Seth Greene, singer Ben Kifer, singer/pianist Camilla Evans and singer/guitarist Lee Hudson.

Nearly 30 acts were featured in Saturday’s show, which was presented by Eagle’s Wings and Le Moulin Rouge de Danse.

“It’s been a good fundraiser for Eagle’s Wings, and we’re thankful,” said Adams, who serves as interim director of the food pantry. “We’re thankful to everyone who came and supported Eagle’s Wings, even if they didn’t win.”

During the June 7 final competition, a grand prize winner will be the recipient of a $1,000 cash prize. Second place will win $500 and the third prize winner will nets $250.

The cash awards are generously provided by F. Ray Moore Propane and Lee Chevrolet of Washington, according to Cox and Adams.

For more information about East Carolina Star Search, including ticket information for the grand finale, email eastcarolinastarsearch@gmail.com or visit www.ecstarsearch.net.

* Photos from Saturday’s audition show will be included in the Pamlico Life feature in this Sunday’s edition of the Daily News.