Have you got what it takes?
Once entries have closed, 20 finalists will be chosen. The 20 young performers will then be part of a workshop presented by the Africa Voices Trust at the Joburg Theatre, where some of the country’s most experienced performers will work with them, teaching them some basics about performing, about making it in the industry, and much more.
TWO high school learners from Gauteng will get a chance to perform in a grand scale original musical that will have its world premiere in August at the Joburg Theatre. Calling Me Home tells the beautiful story of a young woman, Grace, who travels across the ocean to find a new life, and in the process makes new friends and falls in love.
According to Jako Krige, the head of marketing for Calling Me Home, the audition process has been thrown wide open to include a talent search competition. Any high school learner between the ages of 14 and 19 can enter, regardless of previous experience. “We are looking for any talented singers with a love for the stage. All they have to do is send us a video clip of themselves singing a song from a musical or cabaret. They don’t even have to dress up. They just need to sing!” he says.
Once entries have closed, 20 finalists will be chosen. The 20 young performers will then be part of a workshop presented by the Africa Voices Trust at the Joburg Theatre, where some of the country’s most experienced performers will work with them, teaching them some basics about performing, about making it in the industry, and much more. All the finalists then get a chance to perform live at an event at the UJ Arts Centre Theatre on the Auckland Park Kingsway Campus of the University of Johannesburg, where judges will make a final decision on which two learners will join the cast for this first three-week run.
Schools which encourage their learners to enter will also gain access to special deals and prices, as well as ticket giveaways for Calling Me Home, and a chance to see and experience the magic of theatre backstage.
Zolani Mahola of Freshlyground fame, said, “We are blessed with incredible partners on this project. In working with The Africa Voices Trust, UJ Arts and Culture and the Joburg Theatre, we have a chance to use this production not only to entertain, but to invest in the future of young performers, and ultimately the industry. We all believe it is our duty to not only tell youngsters they must dream, but to help them realise those dreams. We want to create a platform for growth and schools are an important link in that process.”
Entries close on April 28. More info about the competition can be found on the website, www.callingmehomemusical.com, or on the Calling Me Home Facebook page. Alternatively you can email info@shymusic.co.za for more details.
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