2010 BRETT GOLDIN BURSARY

A Goldin opportunity for young actors as applications called for auditions for the 2010 Brett Goldin Bursary. Deadline April 29.

The Baxter Theatre Centre, in association with The Market Theatre, is calling for applications from young South African actors, from anywhere in the country, between the ages of 20 and 30, who wish to audition for the Brett Goldin Bursary for 2010. The closing date is 12 noon on April 29. Auditions will take place at The Market Theatre in Johannesburg on May 5 and 6, with call-backs and finals on May 7, when the winners will be announced at a special function later that day.

The Brett Goldin Bursary was set up immediately after the young actor and his friend, fashion designer Richard Bloom, both 28, were brutally murdered over the Easter weekend on April 16, four years ago, just days before he was due to leave for Stratford-upon-Avon. Goldin was due to perform the role of Guildenstern in the Baxter’s production of Hamlet, directed by Janet Suzman, which launched the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company’s Complete Works Festival. The double murder sent shockwaves throughout South Africa and England.

The Royal Shakespeare Company, the Actors Centre in Johannesburg and the Baxter Theatre Centre established the bursary, which was kick-started by donations from respected South African-born actor Sir Antony Sher and Honorary RSC Associate Janet Suzman, to give other young actors the opportunity which Brett was denied, and to honour his memory in an appropriate manner.

The bursary is designed to enhance and fine-tune actors who are committed to the need and desire to expand their knowledge and acting ability of Shakespeare. Furthermore, it is essential that they are willing, on their return, to use the skills gained to enthuse and encourage others, towards a love and understanding of Shakespeare.

From the applications received, a shortlist of 20 will be made. They will be notified by April 30 and will be invited to audition on the aforementioned dates at The Market Theatre in Johannesburg. The 20 candidates must be available for the auditions and call backs on the said dates, and all costs involved with the process are for the respective actors’ own accounts. Six finalists will be selected on May 7 and the bursary winners will be announced that same day. Winners will be chosen according to their talent for Shakespeare performance, passion, commitment and overall suitability.

The two successful bursars will travel to the home of the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of the world’s most famous playwright, from June 18 to July 19. The work programme will include activities such as attending warm-ups, solo and company voice and verse classes, any Artist Development workshops rehearsals, technical rehearsals, as well as sessions with directors and assistant directors and the opportunity to attend Education Department workshops. The successful candidates will be based in the Artist Development Department and it is hoped that much of the learning experience will come from observation, discussion with personnel working in production, press and casting departments and through contact with other actors, directors and members of the RSC.

The selection criteria stipulate that the actors should be South African citizens, between the ages of 20 and 30 in June 2010, have an interest in classic theatre, have a valid passport and be able to fly to Stratford during the stated period, as dates are strictly not negotiable. For the audition actors are required to perform two classic speeches (one tragic and one comic) as well as being prepared to explain why they should be awarded the bursary.

All applications should only be sent to Nicolette Moses, Baxter Theatre Centre, by e-mail to nicolette.moses@uct.ac.za, fax on 021 650 5260 or hand delivered to the Baxter, Main Road, Rondebosch.

Omphile Molusi became the first recipient of the bursary in 2007 and in 2008 Thami Mbongo and Nicholas Pauling were chosen when the organisers decided choose two winners every second year. All three actors performed in the highly acclaimed The Tempest which marked the second collaboration between the Baxter Theatre Centre and the Royal Shakespeare Company last year.

For information on how to support the Brett Goldin Bursary Fund visit www.baxter.co.za under the heading “Fundraising.” For further enquiries about applying for the bursary contact Nicolette Moses on 021 680 3988 during office hours. All applications should be clearly marked and addressed to Nicolette Moses, on fax 021 650 5260, e-mail nicolette.moses@uct.ac.za or hand delivered to the Baxter Theatre Centre, Main Road, Rondebosch, by no later than 12 noon on April 29.