'The Glee Project' To Debut June 12 With Casting Special, Live Facebook Chat

June 12 will be a big night for Oxygen, and a huge night for Gleeks the world over.

That’s the night the network kicks its premiere event for “The Glee Project” with the debut of the one-hour casting special “The Glee Project: The Final 12” bowing at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT, followed by the premiere of “The Glee Project” proper at 9 p.m. ET. Gleeks can join in on a live-chat Facebook event at www.facebook.com/thegleeproject during “The Final 12,” hosted by Oxygen personality Tiffany Smith and the 12 hopeful cast members. The winner from the field of 12 will win a seven-episode guest-starring stint on Fox’s acclaimed choir comedy “Glee.”

“The Final 12” will kick off by putting the “Glee” phenomenon under the microscope and looking into the origins of “The Glee Project,” complete with interviews with “Glee” and “The Glee Project” casting director Robert Ulrich and a behind-the-scenes look at how producers narrowed 40,000 applicants and audition-goers down to the 12 contestants, complete with candid reactions to being chosen for what could be a big break.

The first episode will revolve around the judges getting to know the 12 contestants, and the pool competing for the prize of some one-on-one mentoring with “Glee” star Darren Criss.

Throughout the show, the contestants will be judged by Ulrich, choreographer Zach Woodlee and vocal producer Niki Anders. The 12 will come together in the end for a performance of Katy Perry’s “Firework,” as the judges will little by little narrow down the field to three over the course of 10 episodes, who will audition in person for “Glee” creator Ryan Murphy.