Auditions, Internships, Theatre news and more

AUDITIONS

“THE BLUE MONDAY PLATFORM!!!”

11 November 2013

Do you want to showcase your talent to many eyes that might help boost your career in the arts? Well, the Performing Arts Network of South Africa (PANSA) brings you, 'The Blue Monday Platform'!

The Blue Monday Platform is, is an evening that gives performance artists an opportunity to showcase and demonstrate their craft and ability to key Performance Professionals that are active in the local industry and abroad.

All skilled and talented performers that want to break into the professional arena are welcome to audition in the following categories:

•           Writing

•           Directing

•           Acting

•           Singing/ Rapping

•           Dancing (All Genres)

•           Poetry

The blue Monday platform not only allows you to showcase your talent but gives you an opportunity to meet and network with other artists in the industry.

The Blue Monday platform is an exciting, eventful evening for the whole family, so bring your friends and support.

Date: 11 November 2013

Time: 6pm

Venue: Catalina Theatre. (Above Zacks restaurant at Wilson’s wharf)

If you're interested in participating, contact Mthokozisi Zulu at:

nkazi.zulu@gmail.com

kzn@pansa.org.za

031 201 4750

Zulu TV auditions

 Auditions will be held in Durban next month in search of Zulu TV presenters, actors and voice over-artists…

 Leading South African arts entrepreneur Mbongeni Ngema has announced that his company, Committed Artists, is to hold auditions to find presenters, actors and voice-over artists for his new Zulu TV channel, which will be launched early in 2014, in partnership with the King Zwelithini Foundation. 

 Zulu TV will be flighted throughout sub-Saharan Africa from 22 January 2014 via a new satellite that has been launched into space by SENTECH.  

The auditions in search of Zulu TV presenters, actors and voice-over artists will be held at KZN Music House, 1 Derby Street corner Igcuce (Epsom) Road, Greyville in Durban, on Saturday 16 November 2013 between 10 am and 5pm.

 Those interested in auditioning must be conversant in isiZulu and English. Qualified radio and TV announcers and actors of all race groups as well as aspiring raw talent will be considered for auditions.

 It is essential to book a slot in order to secure an audition. Call 031-309 8159 (office hours between 9am and 5pm) or email av@committedartists.co.za to book an appointment.

 KZN-based Zulu TV will begin shooting programmes in December 2013. Primarily an entertainment channel, Zulu TV aims to screen high quality programmes in High Definition format, with a strong emphasis on local productions. In addition to music programmes, content will include coverage of heritage, tourism, arts and culture, lifestyle, magazines programmes, as well as musical theatre, drama, sitcoms, movies, short films, documentaries, religion and current affairs, with internet link up through social networking.

       

RMB-supported BASA Intern programme

RMB-supported BASA Intern programme open for applications.

Now moving into its fifth year, the programme is designed to allow a new graduate the chance to immerse him or herself in all aspects of arts administration. The programme also allows the intern to identify their own learning goals and work towards those during the year that the internship runs.

Qualified applicants are invited to apply for the 2014 Business and Arts South Africa intern programme, supported by Rand Merchant Bank (RMB).

The Internship gives an emerging administrator the opportunity to access mentorship, grow in several administrative skill areas through training, and also drive projects, which provide synthesis between study and practice.

Mondli Mangenuke 2013 intern comments “One of my responsibilities at BASA was to produce and organise radio interviews for BASA Today show on Radio Today. This experience has enabled me to be highly organised and to work independently. “

“Assisting in the Mentorship Programme supported by Etana Insurance has also been one of the highlight of my experience. Working on this programme has equipped me with business strategies that will benefit me in the arts and media business.

The 2013 Business and Arts South Africa intern programme, supported by Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) selects interns based on their education, experience, and enthusiasm for the arts. The intern selected is expected to engage in the diverse projects that BASA is involved with, reports to the Marketing and Operations Manager, and works closely with the entire BASA team.

The closing date for applications is 22 November 2013.

Interested applicants should e-mail their CV and cover letter to: info@basa.co.za For more information call 011 447 2295.

NEW HEALTH COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGN

We are looking for people to participate in a creative workshop focused on designing a new health communication campaign.  Participants should be aged between 18 and 24, should be confident, able to communicate well in English, and should be available for a two-hour workshop in Durban on Wednesday 30 October. 

 A stipend will be paid for participation / travel.  Anybody who is interested should please send an email with information regarding their name, age, qualification (if any - although there is no experience necessary), gender, and the name of the place where they grew up to info@pstproject.co.za before 5 pm on Sunday 27 October.

THEATRE

The Glitter Girls

Rhumbelow Pmb: 20 Oct

Rhumbelow Dbn: 25 – 27 Oct; 1 – 3 Nov

The Glitter Girls: Reunion of ’89  Lisa Bobbert, Liesl Coppin and Marion Loudon. The Berlin Wall... Spandex... Dallas... 1989 was a special year. But now these three girls have to go back! Back to neon, back to big hair and back to Skolliesville High!

24 years later, Skolliesville High is finally having their 20 year reunion (on account of Tina Davis nee Davies having misplaced 2002 - 2005). And that means the Glitter Girls are going to relive their greatest triumphs and heartbreaks at the reunion of the century! All the hits, all the boys (and a few crazy characters you'll never forget), all from the past... And where they are today!

KickstArt presents Jack and the Beanstalk

Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre: 29 November to 5 January

Kickstart rounds off the year with a fun-filled family romp: a brand new pantomime version of Jack and the Beanstalk, which comes to the Elizabeth Sneddon theatre from 29 November until 5 January.

 Written and directed by Steven Stead, Jack and the Beanstalk stars the supremely talented Rory Booth in the title role, the cast also features Jessica Sole as his love interest, Princess Jillian, Darren King as his long-suffering, eccentric mother, Flora Flatbroke, Liesl Coppin as his evil nemesis, Lady Perfidia Beastly, Shelley MacLean as the good fairy, Glissanda Goldenvox, and Peter Court and Bryan Hiles reprising their hilarious performances as the two incompetent crooks,Cecil and Claude, making a comeback after their demise in Robin Hood.

 Jack and the Beanstalk will run from 29 November to 5 January, with performances 2.30pm Tues-Sun and 7pm Sat. Booking for all KickstArt productions is through Computicket, and for block bookings of 10 or more, or sold performances and early bird specials, please contact Ailsa Windsor of Going Places: 0832502690 or editor.goingplacessa@gmail.com.

(Source Pansa)

Auditions & Theatre News around South Africa

Auditions & Theatre News Around SA

Dance audition

DANCEunLimited is looking for unemployed, out-of-school dancers to make part of its new dance ensemble. Dancers must be proficient in versatile styles...competency in Gumboots, Pantsula and/or Kasi dance, and SA traditional dance styles stands one an good advantage.

For audition date, venue and other info please contact: 0614072989 / boxunlimited2@gmail.com OR inbox Facebook Page:DANCEunLimited

Audition takes place ONLY this week and for ONLY those who have booked

Magnet Theatre is having auditions for a new intake of trainees in 2014.  There are a limited number of bursaries available.

• Magnet Theatre runs a full-time physical theatre training programme offering classes in movement, play, imagination, physical theatre, voice, dance, singing, improvisation and play making.   The programme includes production work, community work and organised visits to the theatre to expose the trainees to mainstream and community performance. They are placed in work shadow in various aspects of the theatre industry.  The participants are encouraged to maintain their connection with their communities and with their respective drama groups. The programme has been designed by Jennie Reznek and Mandla Mbothwe and the classes are taught by highly experienced theatre practitioners and teachers.
• The Trainee programme is aimed at prospective actors and performers who for one reason or another struggle to be absorbed into the training at University.
• It is full time intensive training, Monday to Friday from 9h00- 16h30.
• It is a 2 year programme starting in February 2014 and running until November 2015.
• Auditions for will be held between 7 and 11 December 2013  with call backs on Thursday 12th  December at the Magnet Theatre (Unit 1,  Old Match Factory, Corner of Lower Main Road and St Michaels, Observatory.)  Each person will be given a 10 minute slot to present their prepared piece and work with the directors. Each person who wants to audition must please contact the Magnet Theatre office to make an appointment.  All auditionees to please arrive HALF AN HOUR BEFORE THEIR AUDITION TIME to do the paper work.
• Please wear comfortable clothes you can move in comfortably.

• Please prepare a two minute audition piece – anything you feel confident about.
• Please write a short letter (400 words) of motivation as to why you want to become part of the Magnet Theatre training programme.
• Please bring:    a copy of your matric results or most recent school report, a copy of your identity document, the name and contact details of one person Magnet can contact as a reference.
• A call back audition will be held on 12 December from 09h00 onwards.  Those who are called back will be informed by end of day on 11 December.  So please make sure you are available.

Please call Anelisa or Margie on 021 448 3436 or e-mail assistant@magnettheatre.co.za to book a place at the auditions.

Applications for Dance Umbrella 2014 open

The main Dance Umbrella 2014 will run at various venues in Johannesburg from March 6-16, 2014.

Dance Umbrella, the internationally distinguished contemporary dance festival celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2013.

Dance Umbrella 2014 will remain a platform for new contemporary choreography and dance and will be structured as follows:

The Main programme: which will comprise only commissioned work from South African choreographers, invited international works and selected works from the Dance Forum residency programme. Choreographers can apply to be commissioned and must contact Dance Forum at 011 492 2033. People who want to apply for a commission fee can download the application onwww.danceforumsouthafrica.co.za.

The Fringe programme: Dance Umbrella is re-introducing the Fringe Programme which is open to work that runs up to 30 minutes. The programmes for the Fringe will be curated and once the programme is finalised, no additional entries will be accepted.

Stepping Stones: Only youth, community groups and choreographers who do not work regularly will be featured on this programme. The running time may not exceed ten (10) minutes.

General application forms can be obtained by calling Lindiwe at 011 492 2033.

Please note the following:
Once the Stepping Stones programme is full, no other entries will be accepted. There is also no guarantee that all entries will be programmed so it is advised that you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

The selection and sequence of the programmes will be done at the discretion of the organisers, the artistic director and consultants and their decision is final.

The venues for the Dance Umbrella and all technical facilities within the budget, the theatre, publicity, posters and programmes are provided free, at no cost to the participating choreographers, dance companies or groups.

For further information, please call 011 492 2033.

A Call For New Plays

Junkets Publisher is a small independent South African publisher, founded in 2005 by Robin Malan. In 2009 it was the winner of the Arts & Culture Trust Excellence Award for Literature. It specialises in publishing The Playscript Series, new Southern African plays; as well as The Collected Series, anthologies of new Southern African plays. 

We announce a new project:

African Folktales Onstage! plays for pre-teens compiled by Fatima Dike, André Lemmer, Robin Malan & Omphile Molusi.

Junkets Publisher is looking for short stage adaptations of African folktales to include in a collection of plays for the upper Grades of the primary school and the lower Grades of the high school, especially for performance or for rehearsed class presentation. 

Guidelines for Contributors

1. Submit by email to info.junkets@iafrica.com as a Word Doc, not as a pdf.
2. Use only Times New Roman 12pt. Do not use underlining or lines anywhere in the document.
3. A sample half-page of the required format is given at the end of this call.
4. All African folktales derive from the general consciousness of the people, so all will be an ‘adaptation’ of a sort. Submitting your play will be an undertaking that this is your own work. If, however, you are adapting a specific prose re-telling, you must acknowledge this, giving the author’s name, the title of the book in which the original appears, stating compiler, publisher and date.
5. Your play should be for performance by or to youngsters at the top end of the primary school or the bottom end of the high school. Most experts are agreed that very young children should not be performing written texts in public.
6. In your retelling, go for the authentic, the robust, the vigorous. Studiously avoid the cutesy.
7. Your play should be a minimum of 1 500 words and a maximum of 5 500 words, counted from the title to ‘The End’, including everything. (Click on Tools, then Word Count.) Nothing shorter or longer will be considered. State the number of words below your play.
8. The author must be a member of a SADC country or a person living or working in Southern Africa. There is no age restriction. It does not matter whether or not you have had plays published or performed before.
9. You may submit one play or two plays or three plays, but not more.
10. Only emailed PC-generated submissions are acceptable; no hard-copy submissions. If you do not have access to a PC and email, you will need to get your work scanned, formatted and emailed by a PostNet or copy shop. We need to be able to communicate with you by email.
11. Submissions need to reach us at info.junkets@iafrica.com by 31 January 2014. No late submissions will be considered. Publication will be in early-December 2014. Only writers whose work is accepted for publication will be contacted. If you have not heard from us by July 2014, you can assume that your submission did not make it through the selection process; and please accept our thanks for submitting your work. No correspondence can be entered into concerning entries not selected.
12. This is not a competition; there are no prizes, there is no money involved at this stage. Junkets is usually a not-for-profit operation, so no fee is offered; instead, contributors will receive a gratis copy of the book. In the unlikely event of there being a profit after all expenses and bookshop discounts are factored in, contributors will be paid a small royalty pro rata. Authors retain the copyright of their individual plays.
13. As the selection will be made anonymously, your name (and postal address) should appear only on the title-page; nowhere else.
14. For further enquiries, contact Robin Malan at email info.junkets@iafrica.com or on cell number 076 169 2789.

Sample of format in which play is to be typed

The setting of the play is a wide, open stretch of veld. Whistling is heard offstage. HYENA enters.

Hyena (Sees audience, addresses them.) Hello, people. That was me whistling back there. I’m full of beans today. (Burps. Smiles.) Well, not literally. Now, down to business. I have a little plan …

There is a loud crash-bang offstage, and AMEHLO THE OWL enters, carrying a bucket, a mop, and a step-ladder.

Amehlo Oh, eish, eina! I keep not seeing where I’m going. (Drops everything.) I just can’t do this on my own. (Sits down on the upturned bucket, dejected. Mops his brow.)

Hyena ’Morning, Amehlo the Owl! I wonder, (With a sinister laugh.) if I can perhaps help you …

Amehlo Would you? That’s kind. I have to clean the sky so that the sun can paint a rainbow on it, but I seem to have mislaid my spectacles.

HYENA climbs the ladder and plucks the spectacles off a branch of a tree. He hands them to AMEHLO.

Hyena (Speaking very carefully.) Are these they?


These are the details of the above format:

• Everything flush-left; no indenting of speeches or stage directions
• Character-name in Bold uc&lc (e.g. Hyena), no colon, 1 character-space, then speech, running on, no indenting
• Single spacing within a speech
• 1 line-space between speeches and before & after ‘external stage directions’
• ‘external stage directions’ in italics, no brackets before or after. e.g. [flush left]:

HYENA climbs the ladder and plucks the spectacles off a branch of a tree.

• ‘internal stage directions’ (within speeches) inside regular round brackets, text in italics, start with u.c. letter, end with full stop, e.g. (With a sinister laugh.)
• This is how we want you to present the play to us. Our typesetter will adjust this format for the final published text.

email info.junkets@iafrica.com  website www.junkets.co.za

(Source - Pansa) 

The Blue Train Wins Africa's Leading Luxury Train Again...And Again!

No surprises here.

At a glittering gala event held in Nairobi, Kenya on the 16^th October 2013, The Blue Train was named Africa’s Leading Luxury Train by the World Travel Awards yet again! The Blue Train has enjoyed this award for a record-breaking fifth consecutive year since 2009. The Blue Train adds this award to an already array list of accolades collected over the years including being voted as the World’s Leading Luxury Train  for three consecutive years between 2009 and 2011.

Now in their 20^th anniversary, the World Travel Awards, popularly known as the “Oscars” of the travel industry, are voted for by travel and tourism professionals worldwide to celebrate and reward those brands in the travel and hospitality industry that have excelled and made positive strides in service excellence in the past twelve months.

“Being nominated in these awards is already an honour, but to win it – in five consecutive years is beyond words! We are very thrilled and very proud of this achievement. This is testament of the hard work The Blue Train team and all our partners and stakeholders have put in over the past twelve months. It also serves as encouragement to continue in our efforts and plans to take this brand to greater heights!”, said Hanlie Kotze, Executive Manager of The Blue Train. “This award qualifies us for the Grand Finale, which will take place in Doha, Qatar at La Cigale on the 30^th November 2013, where The Blue Train will compete with the world’s best for the coveted World’s Leading Luxury Train award.

We cannot wait!” Kotze concludes excitedly.

For more info please visit their site:  www.bluetrain.co.za 

(Source - The Blue Train)

Article by +Fred Felton 

PANSA KZN is looking for 2 interns, A Free Photography Workshop & Catch Lisa Raleigh Around SA

PANSA KZN is looking to appoint two arts administration interns for a period of three months, from 1 November, 2013 until 31 January, 2014.

These interns will work with the regional co-ordinator to fulfil a range of different tasks including: office administration, project management, proposal writing, report writing, management of the PANSA data-base and the resource centre.  
Interns will be expected to work full-day, for 5 days a week, and will receive a monthly stipend. 
Interested applicants must have some administration experience, an interest in the arts, excellent English communication skills and experience with using MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint. 
Interested applicants should forward a one-page motivational letter that outlines their experience and why they wish to be considered for the position to kzn@pansa.org.za by Friday 18 October.  Short-listed applicants will be contacted for interviews the following week.  Please do not send a CV, certificates, letters of reference or any other support material. Only the motivational letters will be considered.

(Source - Pansa) 

Free Photography Workshop

Catch Lisa Raleigh around SA 

11 - 13 Oct - Durban Exhibition Centre

25 - 27 Oct - Sandringham Farm, Stellenbosch

8 - 10 Nov - Coca-Cola Dome, Jozi 

Art Exhibit Featuring Yiull Damaso, John Vlismas and The Pacman

New Art Exhibit with Yiull Damaso, John Vlismas and The PAC Revolution (Pacman)

After multiple death threats and much controversy Yiull Damaso is back with
an art exhibit.  He is still making social and political statements through his art.

He will be bringing back 'The Night Watch'  Oil on canvas.

Look out for 'Foreign Policy' as well.

Look out for artwork by stand-up comic John Vlismas

Post Big Deal Head by John Vlismas

Look out for some mixed media work by 'The Pacman' as well.

There will be plenty more on show at this exhibit.  One not to miss.


Exhibition opens Friday 18th October.
Time: 18h00 for 18h30
and runs until Saturday 9th November.

Address: 56 Buckinham Avenue, (entrance Rothesay Ave) Craighall Park.
Tel: 083-234-0870

(Source - Yiull Damaso)

Tech News Around SA

Mobile service squad a big hit for Nashua Mobile

Nashua Mobile’s Smart Squad cars are quickly becoming a familiar sight on our roads as every month more people are enjoying the convenience of having cellphone technicians making house calls due to the unique troubleshooting service offered by Nashua Mobile.

If you have a problem with your cellphone, and you are unable to go to a store for help, Nashua Mobile’s Smart Squad will come to you instead. .

Twelve Smart Squad vehicles are operating in Greater Gauteng, Durban, Bloemfontein and Cape Town with a dedicated call centre specialist to set up appointments. The service is free within the central areas covered by the vehicles, with a small call-out fee to cover the costs if the distances are longer.

“The Smart Squads will come to your office or your home and set up your recently purchased smartphone and integrate it with your entire technology eco-system to make sure you are set up and working as quickly as possible,” says Mark Taylor, CEO at Nashua Mobile.

“It’s mostly needed by our newer customers, but it adds value for our existing clients too. From a standing start we have now gone up to 300 call-outs a month and we can handle about 500 a month.”

Although all customers are given expert advice and help with setting up their phones when they initially buy them in store, sometimes people are too busy to stay for that service. Or perhaps they  get home and realise they need help with some other aspects of these increasingly complex devices. That’s exactly why the geeks on wheels are so useful, Taylor says.

“Your new phone will be set up at your office or at home or even while you are on holiday at the coast, so you can get on with the things that are important to you, while we do what is important to us: saving you time, saving you money and putting you first.”

More information on Nashua Mobile is available at www.nashuamobile.com

(Source - Nashua Mobile)

FNB offers unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note 3 within days of first stock arrival

01 October 2013, Johannesburg – FNB announced another addition to their Smart Device offering - the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. 

The FNB Samsung Note 3’s are unlocked and can be used with any SIM card. The bank is currently holding stocks of the eagerly anticipated Note 3. It is available at R365/month over 24 months with no additional interest, fees or charges.

“We are thrilled to give our customers access to the latest and most innovative devices on the market in order to drive digital self-service banking. Customers have eagerly anticipated this new Samsung as it brings are range of new functions over earlier models. We will add Samsung Gear in coming weeks,” says Kartik Mistry, Head of Smart Devices.

Useful features include Action Memo for quick memo taking, the S Finder to help you search for a wide variety of content on your phone and Screen Write where you can annotate on captured images.

To order today, SMS “Galaxy” to 31138 (standard network rates apply) or apply online at www.fnb.co.za. 

Terms and Conditions Apply.

(Source - FNB) 

Will You Be At Hazel Food Market Pretoria?

This open air market is in the heart of Pretoria's Old East.
They are passionate about food and have over 70 stalls on the night.

                                       (Picture courtesy Hazel Food Market)

They have 3 Candlelight Markets on 5 October, 2 November and 7 December 2013.
There will be plenty of food on offer and even a kid's corner with jungle gym
and activities.

The evening market opens at 5pm.
Lots of safe parking available.

Visit their website for more info - www.hazelfoodmarket.co.za
Find them on twitter - https://twitter.com/thehazelmarket

The market is located at Greenlyn Village Sentrum, Corner of Mackenzie and Thomas Edison, Menlo Park.

Article by +Fred Felton