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2014 ACT Scholarship Awards open for registration

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As last year’s winners settle into life at their chosen Universities, a new set of matriculants can start preparing to be put through their paces, and make their dream of becoming a performing artist a reality.

The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT), in partnership with the Dramatic, Artistic and Literary Rights Organisation (DALRO) and Nedbank Arts Affinity, is pleased to once again offer three Performing Arts Scholarships for local aspirant performers.

The ACT | DALRO | Nedbank Performing Arts Scholarships Programme is aimed at Grade 12 learners and individuals younger than 25 years of age who are neither registered for an undergraduate degree nor considered to be a professional performing artist. The programme takes the form of a competition where participants are assessed on their acting, dancing and singing potential and culminates in a final showcase before an independent panel comprising judges the likes of popular artist HHP, producers Hazel Feldman and Richard Loring, television personality Rozanne McKenzie and internationally acclaimed choreographer Gregory Maqoma, that auditioned the final round in the past.

“Education is key and this applies as much in the arts as in accounting, law or engineering. Without the cultural representation the arts bring, we would completely miss the message of a critical part of our social framework, and our society would be far poorer for it,” says Managing Director of DALRO, Advocate Nathi Gaisa.

In order to open this opportunity for as many aspirants as possible, this year’s audition circuit will include Nelspruit in addition to their usual stops in Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and Bloemfontein. Auditions will take place in June and July.

Maseda Ratshikuni, Head: Cause Marketing at Nedbank says they are delighted to be part of this programme yet again. “Nedbank has a proud history of supporting the arts, and being involved in the communities we serve. We are very proud to be able to make a real difference in the lives of these students and their families through our support of the ACT Scholarships Programme; and also to emphasise the importance of education and the development of the arts in our country.” he says.

Since the inception of the programme in 2009, nine scholarships to the value of more than R900,000 have been awarded. Steve Norman won the inaugural Scholarship and went on to study Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Zola Myeza (2010 winner) from KwaZulu-Natal also attended UCT, and is finding her professional feet thanks to support from her agent, sponsor Talent etc. In 2011 two Scholarships were awarded – Nomagugu Gumede from KwaZulu-Natal enrolled at Howard College; and Tankiso Mamabolo from the Eastern Cape is studying Theatre and Performance at UCT.

Chantel Evans and Amanda Kunene each won a R105,000 Scholarship in 2012, and are enrolled at Tswhane University of Technology’s Musical Theatre Department and at Howard College respectively. 2013 Saw three Scholarships awarded – to Naledi Majola from KZN (registered for a BA in Theatre and Performance at UCT), Arlin Bantam from Cape Town (registered for Drama and Theatre Studies at Stellenbosch University) and National School of the Arts pupil Kamogelo Nche (studying Musical Theatre at TUT).

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, hosted by UJ Arts & Culture at the University of Johannesburg on 13 October 2014. Scholarship recipients will be at liberty to select their preferred performing arts course at any accredited South African tertiary institution.

The Scholarships Programme is currently open for registrations until 31 May 2014. For more information or to register for participation please visit www.act.org.za.

ACT DALRO Nedbank Scholarship Award 2013 Finalists. Photo: Jan Potgieter.
ACT DALRO Nedbank Scholarship Award 2013 Finalists. Photo: Jan Potgieter.

Author: Fiona Gordon
Website: http://www.act.org.za/programmes_scholarships.htm?yearArchive=&category=Scholarship%20Programme

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