Have you dreamed of auditioning for "American Idol"?

Forget Hollywood -- The Meadows Racetrack and Casino can be your launching pad.

The casino in North Strabane is holding a talent search and job fair for table game dealers from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Holiday Inn Meadowlands, located next to the casino.

Talent scouts will be on hand to help hire as many as 700 local people, most of them dealers, as the casino prepares to install 65 new table games over the next several months.

A table game dealer can earn as much as $50,000 a year, with tips.

The casino won't know exactly how many dealers it will hire until new floor plans are approved by the state Gaming Control Board.

Since table games were approved by the state Legislature a month ago, The Meadows has been deluged with online applications for the labor-intensive games, such as poker, blackjack, craps, and about two dozen lesser-known games.

Already, casino spokesman David LaTorre said the casino has received 2,000 online applications and 1,000 more from hopefuls who applied at a recent job fair in Pittsburgh.

Applicants who are interested in a position as a dealer, supervisor or support staff should bring their resume to the talent search/job fair and dealer candidates should be prepared for a 30-second audition. They are also being encouraged to submit an online application at www.meadowsgaming.com.

State law requires casino employees to be at least 18 years old without a felony conviction.

Mr. LaTorre said no experience is required, and those who impress The Meadows' officials will be selected to attend a special table games school to learn game rules and how to deal cards.

Applicants can sing, dance, perform a magic trick, or anything else to show off their personalities.

"We are looking for fun, energetic candidates to join our Meadows team," said Meadows Vice President and General Manager Sean Sullivan. "We don't want people to show us they can deal cards. We want them to show off their talents in front of our staff -- and have fun. We're looking for people who are interested in a new challenge and love to interact with people."

Mr. LaTorre said candidates should be naturally personable. "We can teach people how to deal," he said. "We can't teach them people skills. You either have them or you don't."

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