Robert Ulrich News

Oxygen has picked up a second season of the competition series 'The Glee Project' for a summer 2012 debut.

Oxygen has picked up a second season of the critically acclaimed competition series THE GLEE PROJECT for a summer 2012 debut. The spinoff competition series, which awards one winner a seven episode arc on 'Glee,' will return with Ryan Murphy and Dante Di Loreto continuing as executive producers along with series executive producers Michael Davies and Shauna Minoprio of Embassy Row.

From Ryan Murphy, the creator and Emmy award-winning executive producer of 'Glee,' and executive producer of 'Glee' Dante di Loreto, 'The Glee Project' is a 10-episode competition series seeking to find the next star of 'Glee' and will award one winner with the ultimate prize of a seven-episode role in season three of the hit FOX show.

Oxygen will begin its nationwide casting search for the next season of the 'The Glee Project,' kicking things off today with an online search. Information can be obtained at http://thegleeproject.oxygen.com, where already over 87,000 fans and hopefuls have signed up to learn more about the casting process. Additionally, beginning in November, Oxygen will launch a multiple city open casting call tour including New York, Chicago and Nashville. This announcement comes on the heels of a highly successful first season of 'The Glee Project' which became a critically acclaimed ratings hit for the network. In season one, 12 powerful contenders were chosen from over 40,000 young men and women to compete for a seven-episode guest starring role on 'Glee.'

18year-old Alex Newell was announced 'Glee Project' runner-up just a few weeks ago, and he's already back in action, singing 'Fabulous Baby' from Broadway's SISTER ACT. Click below to watch his performance!

GLEE might not be back in full swing until September, but the cast of the show just atteded Fox's 'Glee' Sing-A-Long event at Santa Monica High School. Check out photos from the event below!

After nine weeks of grueling competition, the surprising finale episode of Oxygen's 'The Glee Project' charged the four finalists with their definitive 'Glee'-inspired homework assignment of 'Glee-ality,' performing Journey's epic hit 'Don't Stop Believin'.' Now according to published reports, the show will likely return for a second season, but before fall casting calls occur, GLEE itself must first be renewed for a fourth season to guarantee a prize for the contestants.

After nine weeks of grueling competition, last night's surprising finale episode of Oxygen's 'The Glee Project' charged the four finalists with their definitive 'Glee'-inspired homework assignment of 'Glee-ality,' performing Journey's epic hit 'Don't Stop Believin'.' The final episode turned into an emotional reunion as the eight eliminated contenders and previous 'Glee' guest mentors returned in support of the four finalists. All 12 contenders joined forces one last time to create a celebratory yet bittersweet music video shoot to end the season. The contenders performed Pink's triumphant 'Raise Your Glass,' in dramatic fashion atop a high-rise building overlooking downtown Los Angeles.

For the final week of THE GLEE PROJECT, the cast was assigned their last homework assignment: Journey's 'Don't Stop Believin',' which has been dubbed by some as Glee's trademark song.

Tomorrow the winner of the show is announced, and all of the contestants return to sing Pink's 'Raise Your Glass.' Check it out below!

This week on THE GLEE PROJECT, the contestants were tested on their generosity. The homework assignment is 'Lean On Me,' and with only four hopefuls remaining, they're all trying to impress guest judge Kevin McHale by taking turns with the lead in the song.

THE GLEE PROJECT contestants this week were assigned Cyndi Lauper's 'True Colors' as their homework assignment, with the challenge meant to test their 'believability' factor - something that it seems from past evidence that many of them will struggle with. The guest judge for the homework assignment is Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina on GLEE and an original cast member of Spring Awakening), who chooses Hannah for her first homework assignment win and a one-on-one tutor session.

According to EW.com, the executive producer of The Glee ProjectMichael Davies hinted that theshow will indeed return for a second season. He commented: 'Talks have begun, and we're planning, budgeting, and discussing how to do the casting process, which is the biggest thing. It is not officially picked up, but having been through this, just based on the ratings growth we've seen ... more than 100 percent in key demos ... I feel incredibly confident that we are coming back, and this is certainly in my plans.'

This week on THE GLEE PROJECT, the contestants kicked off the show receiving their homework assignment: 'Like a Virgin,' based around the theme 'sexuality.' Ashley Fink and Mark Salling (Lauren and Puck on GLEE) are to be this week's guest judges.

Click below for the newest music video from THE GLEE PROJECT! The final six contenders take on Katy Perry's 'Teenage Dream' and guest mentors Mark Salling (Puck) and Ashley Fink (Lauren) help the contenders take their performance to the next level in the 'Sexuality' episode.

This week on THE GLEE PROJECT, the cast's homework assignment is to prove their tenacity through a performance of La Roux's 'Bulletproof.'

This week on THE GLEE PROJECT, the contestants were paired up for duets for their homework assignment: Lady Antebellum's 'Need You Now'.

During last night's episode of Oxygen's 'The Glee Project,' the final nine contenders performed a rhythmic performance of MC Hammer's 1990 signature song, 'Can't Touch This.' Under the guidance of 'Glee' guest mentor Harry Shum Jr. ('Glee's' Mike Chang) the group was coached on their moves, forcing many of them to face their toughest challenge yet - 'Dance Ability.' Darren Criss ('Glee's' Blaine) returns as a guest mentor in next Sunday's all-new episode. During the episode fans will also be prompted to find a secret word and enter a watch-and-win sweepstakes at Oxygen.com (http://www.thegleeproject.oxygen.com). One lucky winner will win a phone call from their favorite contender. ‘The Glee Project' Contender Call sweepstakes will only be available from 9PM to 1AM ET Sunday evening.

Harry Shum Jr., who was promoted to a GLEE series regular for the upcoming season, was the guest mentor on THE GLEE PROJECT this week.

This week on THE GLEE PROJECT, the contestants were asked to get in touch with their vulnerable side. To help them reach that goal, guest star Dot Marie Jones (Coach Bieste on GLEE) offers her critiques.