Young South African singer and actress represents South Africa at the IMTA New York 2022

Jade Beeby writes:

I started playing the recorder in Grade 4 (age 10), this is when I learnt music theory and later learned to play the piano.

At the age of 16, I got my first guitar and I am mostly self-taught. I have always loved music. This love comes from my grandfather who could play any instrument he picked up with ease and zero training. On Sundays, in particular, are memories filled with jazz and gospel and piano and guitar. This only further fostered a love for the arts and music alike.

I am a BA dramatic art (Hons) graduate from the University of the Witwatersrand. I majored in directing and writing. I am proficient in physical theatre as well as conversational South African Sign Language. When I am not coordinating the Shakespeare Schools Festival Johannesburg (a nationwide school theatre festival in South Africa), I am teaching dramatic art and English at a home school for remedial children in Randburg, running an independent drama club, tutoring and developing content for a school’s app. I have had tremendous support from my family, friends and community. I hosted various fundraisers for my New York trip and these were always well attended and greatly supported, both in presence, applause and in finance.

I had to qualify for the International Modelling and Talent Association (IMTA) at the IATS (International Arts Talent Showcase) South Africa, and after winning overall singer at the auditions I was selected to represent SA in New York for singing and acting.

In New York at the IMTA, I received nine callbacks and four excellence awards. I came second overall in the Voice Over category. I also received a $1 000 scholarship to a summer programme at the New York Conservatory for Performing Arts. However, this achievement is probably a close second to being selected as one of four writers to be published in The Writers Lab ‘New Voices’ competition.

I was under serious financial constraints while in New York obviously with the R1 to $17 exchange rate. I am also 27 years old and this is on the older side for someone who is still trying to break into such a competitive, demanding industry. I had to work many jobs and do many fundraisers to afford the trip and the stay and then still compete with much younger, perhaps ‘fresher’ talent.

Every opportunity afforded to me is a learning experience. Having the incredible privilege to travel to New York and compete and attend workshops made the financial challenges dull in comparison to the lifetime’s worth of knowledge and experience I gained. This experience is especially important to me because I am a teacher and it helps me to prove to my students that it is not crazy to follow your dreams and pursue goals that may seem too big to other people. It makes me want to create opportunities for talented people who are like myself and show them how to achieve their dreams and push for their goals just like I did.

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