This year the PANSA Young Performers project funded by the
KZN Dept of Arts & Culture and Rainbow is presenting a new homegrown work created
by Themi Venturas and Iain “Ewok” Robinson with the working title of Soldiers in the City which engages with
the new ‘urban culture’ that is emerging in South Africa’s towns and cities.
A new youth culture that includes slam poetry, urban dance,
music and public artworks like graffiti much like the STEP UP movies that have
been on the film circuit in recent years. The production team for 2015 includes
Themi Venturas (director), Daisy Spencer (co-director and choreographer), Des
Govender (vocal coach), and Dawn Selby (musical director).
This year, the production will take place in Durban at the
Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre as well as in Pietermaritzburg at the Hexagon
Theatre.
An addition to this year’s YPP will be a theatre camp while
the YPP team are in Pietermaritzburg. All successful candidates will need to be
available every weekend from May 8 to June 28 for rehearsals and from June 29 to
July 19 for the performances.
PANSA will hold auditions on April 18 at Glenwood High
School for the Durban candidates and on April 19 at the Hexagon Theatre for all
the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands candidates. Auditions at both venues run from
09h00 to 17h00.
All candidates looking to be part of the YPP 2015 will have
to make themselves available for the auditions for the whole day indicated
above. The production seeks the top 25 to 30 performers in KZN who can sing,
dance and act. Only High School learners will be allowed to audition.
Candidates are advised to bring comfortable clothing and shoes and provide
their own lunch / refreshments on the day of the auditions.
For the first time, places will be reserved for candidates
from Pietermaritzburg and the Midlands
with the rest coming from the Ethekwini region. All enquiries should be
directed to Nelisa Mzimela at 031 201 4750 or by email at kzn@pansa.org.za