FOOTSTEPS TO FORTUNE AUDITION

Local dance stars have only one remaining chance to audition on November 7.

With four auditions already wrapped up for the 2009 return of the Footsteps to Fortune reality dance competition made popular last year, local dance stars have only one remaining chance to audition ahead of the finals at Suncoast Casino & Entertainment World on December 16.

The last auditions will be held at Durban High School in St Thomas Road on November 7. Up to R20,000 in cash and prizes sponsored by Hirsch are up for grabs at the gala finals at Suncoast on December 16. Organiser Evan Roberts of Makulu Event Producers said the standard of entries thus far had been extremely high.

“Forty-one dancers from the first four auditions at Suncoast and in Pinetown, Amanzimtoti and KwaMashu are already through to the next stage, which is the semi-final heats to be held in November,” he said. “At this juncture, this is more than last year’s Footsteps to Fortune debut but the judges feel they can cope and don’t want to turn away promising talent at the remaining auditions. We expect to have around 50 semi-finalists in the competition. The judges have already remarked on the high standard and we have really uncovered a few gems in terms of unknown, untrained dance talent.”

The dance competition is open to dancers 16 years or older and is the most inclusive of its kind, embracing a diverse range of genres, from contemporary or modern, to hip hop, pop and classical styles. Roberts says there are no restrictions, provided dancers show talent and presence, and the potential to choreograph their own pieces and express as much versatility and creativity as they can muster.

KwaMashu has produced the most semi-finalists so far with 24 dancers through to the semi-final heats. The launch audition at Suncoast produced seven semi-finalists, while the Pinetown audition produced three.

Entrants need to prepare one audition piece not longer than two minutes and bring their own music on a CD. Contestants may perform in groups, but all dancers will be judged individually.

Once the audition rounds are over, the semi-final heats take place at Suncoast on November 14, 21 and 28. Judging will be carried out by esteemed dance professionals Musa Hlatshwayo, Megan Lamb and Rajiv Mothie. The semi-finalists will battle it out for a place in the top 10 and the chance to perform at the finals at Suncoast on December 16.

For more information about the Footsteps to Fortune competition and the remaining auditions, contact Makulu Event Producers on 031 312 1281 or visit the Suncoast Website www.suncoastcasino.co.za