(2015 ACT Scholarships
recipients: Carla Smith, Caleb Heynes & Andiswa Mbolekwa. Pic by Debbie Yazbe)
After a demanding week of rehearsals at the hands of a
talented creative team and a tough final round in front of a live audience,
Carla Smith, Caleb Heynes and Andiswa Mbolekwa were crowned as triple threats
winning the 7th annual ACT | DALRO | Nedbank Performing Arts Scholarships
competition.
The 2015 panel of judges included multi-award winning and
well-known Durban theatre personality and editor of artSMart, Caroline Smart;
manager of Talent-ETC™ Jennis Williamson; University of Johannesburg’s Head of
Arts & Culture and award-winning playwright Ashraf Johaardien; writer and
director Makhaola Ndebele, and professional dancer and choreographer Charlie
van Rooyen.
The trio convinced the judges of their proficiency in
singing, dancing and acting, and as a result will be supported in their
undergraduate tertiary studies, beginning in 2016.
The top six performers battled it out during the finale
hosted at the iconic Market Theatre in order to be one of three winners to be
awarded a share of scholarships totaling R315,000.
Great strides were made this year because for the first time
the search went to all nine provinces, scoping talent across the length and
breadth of South Africa. The judges were given a great task to assess and
select only the best to join a long list of performers to partake in the
competition, upping the audition performance item numbers from 225 in 2009 to 776
in 2015. Six finalists were chosen through a countrywide audition process, and
then coached by a dedicated team of professionals, before putting their best
foot forward in front of an illustrious panel of judges, and – possibly the
biggest critics of all – a live audience.
“We are delighted to be part of the Performing Arts
Scholarships Programme that continuously seeks to discover South Africa’s
untapped artistic talent,” enthuses Tobie Badenhorst Head: Sponsorships &
Cause Marketing at Nedbank. “As a bank for all, we remain committed to enabling
the dreams and goals of young people and are inspired by the great talent the
Scholarships Programme continues to unearth. On behalf of Nedbank we would like
to congratulate the winners and encourage them to continue to make the things
that really matter to them happen.”
With support from the Arts & Culture Trust; the
Dramatic, Artistic and Literary Rights Organisation (DALRO) and Nedbank Arts
Affinity, the three winners will have the opportunity to study a performing
arts course at an accredited South African tertiary institution of their
choice. They will also receive practical support beyond their studies,
including representation by one of South Africa’s top talent agencies,
Talent-ETC™ Artist Management.
“DALRO would like to take this opportunity to not only
congratulate the winners, but to also thank them ... Strange we know, but if it
weren't for young people such as yourselves, programmes like this one might not
even be possible. Thank you for your hard work, your dedication to your craft
and talent, and thank you for being passionate,” says DALRO’s Theatrical Rights
Supervisor André Cloete.
He further adds: “Working in the performing arts is not only
a career but also a calling, and you guys have answered that call. To be a
performer looks easy to the audience, but we all know that it takes blood,
sweat and tears. Know that ahead of you lies an incredible journey, and that
this is only the beginning. Also know that you are joining the ranks of ACT |
DALRO | NEDBANK Performing Arts Scholarships royalty, and that the
responsibility to keep building this legacy and inspire others to also become
storytellers is now in your hands. Study and work hard, and your dreams will
keep coming true. So once again, to the finalists and the winners,
congratulations and thank you. Now go forth and conquer!”
The flawless Magic in
the Making production was crafted with the help of industry professionals
Jacques Bessenger (Artistic Director), Franco Prinsloo (Musical Director),
Lotanang Makoti (Assistant Director) and previous Scholarships winners Chantèl
Evans and Kamogelo Nche, who worked on dance and choreographic elements.
This year’s vibrant host was Raymond Motadi, the 20-year-old
TUT Musical Theatre student popularly known to his TshwaneFM radio show
listeners as “Mond”. The former National School of the Arts pupil, who aims to
make a mark in the South African entertainment scene, is also founder of
Rainboukidz – a youth organisation aimed at supporting people in the Lesbian,
Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender community.
CEO of the Arts and Culture Trust, Pieter Jacobs, reflected
on what the 7th Scholarships Awards meant for the arts sector, by saying: “Being
involved in the programme since its inception in 2009 - I am tremendously proud
of ACT and our sponsors for not allowing some of the gems, who might not have
been able to pursue formal performing arts training due to financial
constraints, slip through the cracks. Looking into the future, we hope that at
least some of them will join the ranks of South African icons who have gone on
to do great deeds in the country’s arts fraternity. It is also rewarding to see
how the programme has challenged and encouraged aspirant performers to become
versatile artists and to raise the bar year after year.”
The 2015 Scholarships Programme was hosted by the Market
Theatre with additional support from the National School of the Arts (NSA) and
Jade Bowers Design and Management.
ACT would also like to acknowledge support from the
following organisations as regional partners: University of KwaZulu-Natal
(UKZN), Baxter Theatre, Port Elizabeth Opera House (PEOH), Market Theatre,
Mayibuye Arts Centre, University of the Free State's Scaena Theatre, Witbank
Civic Theatre and NWU Artéma Instituut vir Kunstebestuur en Ontwikkeling.
For more information on the Scholarships programme, visit www.act.org.za
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