Aspiring performing artists are reminded that the deadline for participation in the sixth annual ACT | DALRO | Nedbank Performing Arts Scholarships Awards is fast approaching.
These substantial scholarships are awarded to enable ambitious youngsters keen to pursue a performing arts course at any accredited South African tertiary institution. Through an annual country-wide competition; participants are assessed on their acting, dancing and singing potential; with the process culminating in a final showcase before an independent panel of industry judges. Auditions are also held to choose a dynamic youngster to emcee the event.
Three scholarships will be awarded in 2014, to the values of R150,000; R105,000 and R60,000; totaling R315,000. The winners will be announced after the Final performance, which will be hosted by UJ Arts & Culture at the University of Johannesburg on 13 October 2014.
“It is an immense privilege to be able to support young people through their education, especially given the limited scholarships and bursaries available for education in the arts. With DALRO and Nedbank’s generous support, the Arts & Culture Trust has been able to award nine scholarships through an investment of more than R900 000 to date. We are extremely grateful to have partners who share our commitment to the development of artistic talent,” says Chief Executive Officer of the Arts & Culture Trust, Pieter Jacobs.
Sponsored by Nedbank Arts Affinity and the Dramatic, Artistic and Literary Rights Organisation (DALRO), the ACT Scholarships Programme is aimed at learners in their final year of secondary education who wish to pursue undergraduate studies in the performing arts. Also eligible for participation are individuals who are between the ages of 18 and 25, but not considered to be professional or registered for an undergraduate course during 2013.
For the auditions, participants are required to prepare a prescribed monologue, song and dance. In addition to the prescribed performances, contestants will also get an opportunity to perform a monologue of their own choice.
During the preliminary round a panel of judges comprising ACT’s CEO together with the programme’s coordinator, Deidré Schoeman, and Jade Bowers from DALRO, will select six finalists.
“We look forward to welcoming Jade from DALRO who will be joining the regional panel of ajudicators for the first time this year. Her experience as a theatre director will contribute a dynamic perspective,” says Jacobs. “We have seen a steady increase in the quality of the auditions and we look forward to what this year’s auditions hold,” he continues. Jacobs and Schoeman, who both have extensive performing arts experience, will be conducting the auditions for the fifth year in a row.
Participants are invited to register to audition in six cities, as follows –
- Saturday, 28 June: Durban, hosted by the Stable Theatre
- Monday, 30 June: Cape Town, hosted by The Stage Performing Arts School and Theatre in Bellville
- Wednesday, 2 July: Port Elizabeth, hosted by the PE Opera House
- Tuesday, 15 July: Johannesburg, hosted by UJ Arts Centre
- Wednesday, 16 July: Johannesburg, hosted by UJ Arts Centre
- Saturday, 19 July: Nelspruit, hosted by Church Unlimited (R40 Baberton Rd.)
- Saturday, 26 July: Bloemfontein, hosted by the Scaena Theatre at the University of the Free State
The closing date for registrations is Saturday 31 May, 2014. Eligible candidates who would like more information, or to register, can visit www.act.org.za.
Auditions for the MC of the event will take place at the same time – interested participants should email rahiem@act.org.za, who will confirm timeslots and provide the preparation material.
Author: Fiona Gordon.
2013 ACT DALRO Nedbank Performing Arts Scholarships Awards finalists performing the opening sequence for the awards ceremony last year. Photographer: Jan Potgieter
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