Actors, musicans, dancers wanted for theatre project | Suncoast gets their own Braai Master | Call for Artworks

Actors, musicians, dancers, acrobats wanted for the international theatre and music project "INSTANT ACTS against violence and racism 2015"

Interkunst e.V. (Berlin) is looking for young performing artists for their upcoming theatre and music tour "INSTANT ACTS against violence and racism". The project takes place in Germany, Italy and lasts from the beginning of September until the end of October 2015. We are looking for individuals and duos (age between 17 and 30), who are active in theatre, dance, music, circus (no aerial acts), x-sport,etc. We want to create an international ensemble of 15 talented and creative people who are open for new experiences. The artists will come from different cultural backgrounds and represent various types of performance art: „from hip hop till classic“. Together we strive to make audiences aware of the different faces of violence and racism. Through interactive workshops, workshops-presentation and a high quality performance the project aims to motivate young people to lead active and creative lives.

“INSTANT ACTS” works effectively against prejudices, violence and racism.

Invited artists will be requested to bring pre-prepared short performances for the project (max 10 min), based on their personal experiences and ideas concerning the subject matter (against violence and racism). During the short rehearsal process prior to the tour, we will work together as a group to create original pieces as well. With the help of an artistic director, all the elements will then be brought together to create one professional touring show (75 min). Once on tour the artists will lead theatre, dance. Music (etc.) workshops for local youth. The morning workshops will be followed by an afternoon show. We will present our project in schools, theatres, cultural-centres and youth prisons. Travel, board, lodging and a salary are provided for every artist. We will inform per email about the amount of the salary everyonewho is interested in the participation.

The application should include following information:

1. Personal data: name, date of birth, nationality.

2. Pictures, videos, links.

3. Description of skills and artistic experiences.

4. Description of your capability to lead a workshop with young people.

5. Motivation to take part in this project (short, few sentences).

Please send your application latest until May 31st 2015 by email:instantacts@gmail.com

Please feel free to ask us about further details.

Some impressions from previous tours you will find in internet, writing „Instant Acts“ on youtube, fb, myspace and on our webpage.

The international youth theatre project "INSTANT ACTS against Violence and Racism" gets public support from various municipalities, districts and ministries of the federal states of Germany. The project has already been carried out more then 700 days in Germany and other countries in Europe.

SUNCOAST’S VERY OWN ULTIMATE BRAAI MASTER

VIP host at SUNCOAST, Tsepo Mchunu (23) has qualified for the 4^th season of South Africa’s popular reality show, The Ultimate Braai Master alongside braai buddy Nthando Phungula (23).

Mchunu was a bursary recipient through the SUNCOAST Bursary programme facilitated by Chesterville based public benefit organisation, Vukukhanye. SUNCOAST has supported Vukukhanye as its main CSI beneficiary for the past six years. Tsepo’s journey with Durban’s premier entertainment destination began when he was awarded one of the first bursaries in 2009 through the Vukukhanye initiative. SUNCOAST supported Mchunu throughout his high school and tertiary studies where he graduated with a Marketing Diploma from Rosebank College. Mchunu joined SUNCOAST’s Marketing Department in 2014, as part of the SUNCOAST 2014 Graduate Program, where he gained invaluable experience in the fields of eventing, promotions, customer relations management, public relations and advertising.

Tsepo Mchunu’s introduction to the Ultimate Braai Master competition came by chance and through the encouragement of his mother. A day after entering he was notified via e-mail that he had caught the attention of the producers who requested further information.  After submitting his information Mchunu received a phone call from the crew to do a home audition, Mchunu obliged and the rest is history.

“I gladly said YES and we scheduled a date that suited myself and the team and on the day I saw them downstairs with film crew, lights...THE WORKS.....that is when I knew that things were about to get real...” says Mchunu. If he wins the Ultimate Braai Master competition, Mchunu says he will donate proceeds from the competition to Vukukhanye. “A few days ago I wanted to start a restaurant for myself, but then realised that sometimes being popular is irrelevant without the motivation to help others. In my situation I got this far because of someone who didn’t think of themselves but thought of others,” says Mchunu.

Johannesburg based Nthando Phungula, originally from Pinetown, is a Regional Project Co-ordinator for a marketing company based in Melrose. Like Tsepo, Nthando has a bucket load of dreams to fulfil should they become the Ultimate Braai Masters such as building his parents their dream home, travelling all 7 continents and to make a success of at least one of his passions.

SUNCOAST Marketing Manager, Louise Howell says they look forward to seeing Tsepo and his braai buddy, Nthando Phungula on one of the most exciting culinary reality TV shows in Africa! “We wish him luck on his exciting road trip around Southern Africa and we will be cheering him on all the way!”

Tsepo Mchunu and Nthando Phungula join Eldry Leibrandt and Louis Pillay as the only two teams representing KwaZulu-Natal. Audiences can keep up to date on the progress of Tsepo and Nthando on the SUNCOAST Facebook and Twitter pages.

Call for Artwork Proposals 

The Africa Centre is calling for Curation and Artwork proposals for Infecting The City -Public Arts Festival 2016, which will be held from the 7th – 12th March 2016.  
 
Infecting The City unfolds on the streets and various other public spaces in the Central Business District (CBD) of Cape Town. The Festival provides an unusual opportunity for visual art, music, dance and performance to leave the confines of theatres and galleries to engage with or disrupt Cape Town’s daily movements.  The Festival's programme challenges audiences, shifts perspectives and helps to make sense of the public spaces we occupy.

Infecting The City experienced another successful year in 2015 with 53 artworks, 290 participating artists, and over 38,000 audience members.  This call is both for curators and artists.   We are seeking proposals from established curators/artistic directors to develop programmes within the Festival.   We are also, seeking artworks in two categories: New Works and Restaged Works.  Visual, performing artists and practitioners from other disciplines are invited to submit. The work can be a full ensemble piece, intervention, installation, video, totally interactive or some other form newly imagined. All works should translate to or work within a public environment, and actively engage intentional and incidental audiences alike.  For more details about the call, time frames and process go to the webpage.  The deadline for this submission is the 30th June for curators and 15th July for artworks.   Please watch the Facebook pagefor more announcements.

Call for final submission DGLFF | Auditions | Opera Development

Call for final submissions: 5th annual Durban Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (18-26 June 2015)

The 5th annual Durban Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (DGLFF) will be taking place this year from Thursday 18 to Friday 26 June at the KwaZulu-Natal Society of Arts (KZNSA) gallery, in Glenwood, Durban. Started in 2011 to fulfill a need for queer cinema to be showcased and a platform for LGBTI issues to be highlighted, the DGLFF has also had growing success in connecting young, emerging and established filmmakers from across the globe in an affirming and positive pink space.

The small number of South African and African queer, LGBTI, gender or sexuality-themed productions made annually is something that I hope the DGLFF can encourage an increase in, providing a platform for new productions as it has the past 4 Festivals; connecting international independent and micro-filmmaking practitioners in an atmosphere that celebrates cinema and our LGBTI community.

As the only city-based LGBTI film festival in Africa (to our current knowledge) it remains imperative to hold up a beacon of positive, ground-breaking, thought-provoking and human rights-affirming stories for those who remain oppressed and persecuted throughout Africa and the world. At the opening of the inaugural DGLFF, senior psychology lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Steven Roche, eloquently stated, in reference to LGBTI discrimination, that it remains: "the last acceptable prejudice".

In light of this, and in the spirit and theme of  ON COMMON GROUND, they invite a last round of especially South African and African filmmakers to submit feature films, documentaries and short films for consideration for the 2015 Official Selection. The forms can be obtained from Jason Fiddler - email jason@dglff.org.za 

Final submissions will be considered up to Friday 8 May 2015.

Join the DGLFF for screenings, participate in filmmaking workshops & dialogues, and network with peers across the spectrum of humanity.

Contact Jason Fiddler the Festival Director for more details

Durban Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014

Email: jason@dglff.org.za  | Website: www.dglff.org.za  | FB Page: www.facebook.com/DGLFF

Auditions

Actors Studio Auditions at the Playhouse

The Playhouse Company is holding auditions for young performers to join their Actors Studio, a resident company aimed primarily at recent graduates who hold a tertiary qualification in drama as well as young professionals with no less than three years practical stage experience will also be considered.

Successful candidates will join the Playhouse Actors Studio for a year during which they will attend workshops and master classes aimed at enhancing their practical skills and further developing their talent in a professional theatre environment. The Studio will also provide opportunities for its members to appear in Playhouse Company productions with established guest artists and to develop educational tours and outreach programmes.

Suitable candidates who wish to audition should prepare two monologues in English; one should be from a classical work, the other from a contrasting contemporary piece. Each monologue should be no longer than three minutes in duration.

Auditions will be held on Wednesday 6 May between 09:00 and 12:00 in Studio A1 (Playhouse Head Office). Please note that you might be required to wait for your audition. To book, please call 031 369 9457.

FILM AUDITION CALL- KEEPING UP WITH THE KANDASAMY’S

Junaid Ahmed Productions, in association with African Lotus Productions, is proud to announce that they will be producing KEEPING UP WITH THE KANDASAMY's, a feature film set in the sprawling township of Chatsworth. This heart-warming comedy revolves around the lives of two women and their journey of friendship. The movie will be directed by Jayan Moodley (White Gold) and produced by Junaid Ahmed and Helena Spring, the team behind the critically acclaimed film Hard To Get.
Keeping Up with The Kandasamy’s will be filmed during September this year and is slated for an April 2016 cinema release.
Excitement is set to hit the Chatsworth Youth Centre as auditions get underway for this new movie. If you’re keen, please send an email to: keepingupthemovie@gmail.com or call Indhrannie on 031 4096423 (office hours only) to book your audition slot. You will be given a complete character bible and the necessary requirements, including the scenes you would have to prepare for the audition.

Date: 9 and 10 May

Venue: Chatsworth Youth Centre
The following characters are to be auditioned:
Characters:

JENNIFER Kandasamy – Female, around 45 years old. Smart, well-spoken and a real snob. Slim and graceful.

SHANTHI Naidoo – Female, around 45 years old. Chubby, exuberant and a classic people pleaser. Short in stature.

JODI Kandasamy- Female, must pass for 19 years old. First year at University. Beautiful, intelligent, confident and fun loving.

PRANESH Naidoo - Male, 21 years old. Debonair and charming. Third year medical school. Mr Nice Guy.

MARLIN- Male, 23 years old. Flamboyant wedding planner - a real drama queen.

AYA- Female, over 65 years old. Witty and very funny. ‘Inflicted’ with all kinds of ailments.

PREGGIE- Male, 48 years old. Loving husband and loyal friend. Most comfortable in his township.

Auditions will also take place later in May at other various in Durban and Johannesburg- dates to be announced in early May.

AVT applications open for free opera development

The Africa Voices Trust officially opens applications for a free development programme in Opera - Leadership through Music and Performance Excellence.

The Africa Voices Trust is a non-profit organisation that supports the development of highly talented young musicians. Through the Africa Voices Programme, the Trust identifies and educates future stars across all musical genres, providing them with the vital skills they need in order to create financially sustainable and meaningful careers. This intensive programme is designed to fast track and elevate local talent to international standards by providing practical experience and high-level mentorship opportunities.

Selected musicians are guided through a ten month process in mastering their chosen fields both as a performer and industry professional. The goal of the programme is not just to teach participants valuable skills; but to identify and nurture leadership potential, to support their entrepreneurial spirit and to actively inspire and empower them to take responsibility for their role as future standard bearers in the growth of the South African Music Industry. Successful participants work in the largest and best-equipped studios in the country and receive coaching and support from sound engineers, mixing engineers, programmers, producers, managers, arrangers, entertainment lawyers, agents and other industry professionals.

Africa Voices actively nurtures youth entrepreneurship and emphasises the importance of their participants becoming future leaders and socially-responsible mentors within their communities for the duration of their careers. The Africa Voices Trust presents a unique opportunity in developing engaged leadership through the powerful medium of music.

The 2015 Programme is dedicated to Opera due to the demand identified in this genre, and is aimed at building upon the knowledge and experience already gained by dedicated up and coming artists in this field. The Africa Voices Programme is a “master class” which empowers talented local artists and will be valuable to both individuals who have gained experiential skills, as well as individuals who have pursued academic studies in Opera.

Opera is a live performance based genre, and so the programme will be focussed on refining live performance skills as well as training participants to function as effective, professional artists in this often high stress and audition-based world. The genre requires of artists to be able to work in many different environments, and so participants need to be prepared for a very intense and demanding programme - designed to prepare them to work anywhere in the world, under the most challenging career conditions possible.

Selected participants of the 2015 programme will all be considered for the Caroli Singing Award, an exciting new initiative launched through an affiliation with the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich. The award consists of the opportunity to travel to Germany for 10 days in order to experience the inner workings of an internationally acclaimed opera house and have the opportunity to audition for the Young Artist Programme of the Bayerische Staatsoper.

The programme is seeking recommendations of potential participants that come highly recommended by respected individuals and entities within the creative industry. The Africa Voices Trust invites you to recommend individuals that you feel are showing great promise - vocalists you believe in and who have the potential to develop into a standard-bearer as an artist with the right guidance and support.

There is no academic requirement to gain entry to the programme – unlike many other professions, musical talent and potential are not effectively determined by academic accomplishment alone. However successful vocalists must display remarkable musical talent, execution, charisma and ambition distinguishing them from hundreds of applicants. Selection is not only based on musical talent - Africa Voices candidates must display creative energy, a drive to succeed and the courage to hold themselves to the highest standards.

The Africa Voices Programmes are currently held in Cape Town. Applications are open to individuals from across the country, however individuals not living in the Mother City would need to be prepared to travel to or relocate to Cape Town for the duration of the programme.

Participation in the programme itself is at no cost to successful applicants as funds for these expenses are raised by the Africa Voices Trust.

The Africa Voices team is determined to make a real difference in the industry and facilitate a significant impact on the lives and careers of the participants that fall under their care. They commit to building a legacy of excellence and integrity.

The programme will consist of 8 to 12 young lead singers.

All voice types are welcome.

Prospective candidates will need to be formally nominated by either a music professional or an educational or other music institution by means of submitting a recommendation form. Initial selection is made from all received recommendation forms, upon which selected artists will be contacted to submit a participant application form as well as a motivational essay. Once all participant applications have been reviewed, a shortlist of prospective candidates will be required to attend a live audition and interview in front of an independent panel of judges.

Please refer to the online recommendation form here: https://africavoicestrust.typeform.com/to/CAn4hC

The closing date for recommendations is 29 May 2015.

Should you prefer that the recommendation forms be sent to your e-mail address, please request for us to do so at info@africavoices.co.za

For any further queries, please contact the Africa Voices Trust Director:
Jessica Schnehage
021 786 4451
jessica@africavoices.co.za

Auditions KZN

Audition Notice for KZN high school learners

This year the PANSA Young Performers project funded by the KZN Dept of Arts & Culture and Rainbow is presenting a new homegrown work created by Themi Venturas and Iain “Ewok” Robinson entitled

SOLDIERS IN THE CITY
[Working Title]

which engages with the new ‘urban culture’ that is emerging in South Africa’s towns and cities.  A new youth culture that includes slam poetry, urban dance, music and public artworks like graffiti much like the STEP UP movies that have been on the film circuit in recent years. The production team for 2015 includes Themi Venturas (Director), Daisy Spencer (Co-director & Choreographer), Des Govender (Vocal Coach),  and Dawn Selby (Musical Director)

This year the production will take place in Durban at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre and in Pietermaritzburg at the Hexagon Theatre.  An addition to this year’s YPP will be a theatre camp while the YPP team are in PMB. All successful candidates will need to be available every weekend from 8 May – 28 June for rehearsals and from 29 June - 19 July for the performances. PANSA will be holding auditions on the 18 April at Glenwood High School from 9am – 5 pm for the Durban candidates and at the Hexagon Theatre for all the PMB and midlands candidates on the 19th April from 9am – 5pm.  

All candidates looking to be part of the YPP 2015 will have to make themselves available for the auditions for the whole day indicated above. We seek the top 25 – 30 performers who can sing, dance and act in KZN. Only High School learners will be allowed to audition. Candidates are advised to bring comfortable clothing and shoes and provide their own lunch / refreshments on the day of the auditions.
For the first time places will be reserved for candidates from PMB and the midlands with the rest coming from the Ethekwini region.

All enquiries should be directed to PANSA KwaZulu Natal Regional Coordinator: Nelisa Mzimela at 031-2014750 or by email at kzn@pansa.org.za.

Auditions For Dancers Durban - Workshops - Art Exhibits

KickstArt Theatre are looking for new, young dancing talent!

In addition to the 20 adult cast members in this hit Broadway musical, the producers need 16 TAP DANCERS, aged 12-18, who will open the second act as a chorus of tap dancing rats!

Auditions will be held on Saturday 28 March @ 10.30am at the Playhouse’s Mayville Studios in Ramsay Avenue, Tollgate. Anyone interested in auditioning must bring tap shoes and dance togs. Minimum qualifications are Bronze Lower, and preferably Silver Higher or Lower in Tap Dance.

The applicants can be male or female, but must be competent, trained tap dancers.

Shrek will rehearse from 27 April, with rehearsals scheduled from 3pm-8pm Mon-Fri and 10am-5pm Saturdays (Although the dancers will only be called to two or three rehearsals per week). Performances commence on 23 May until 28 June, 7pm Tues-Sat, and Sat and Sun @ 1.30pm.

KickstArt will be casting two sets of dancers so that the young artists can share the performances, and thus alleviate the strain of a full school programme and performing at nights.

Arrive at Mayville Studio 1 at 10am on Saturday 28 March to sign in. No advance applications are required.

For further information, email kickstart@letni.co.za  

Theatre Performances 

The Gay & Lesbian Network is proud to announce that its drama group the Rainbow Theatre Group is to perform at the South African National Community Theatre Association (SANCTA) festival on the 6-7 March 2015 at the Johannes Stegman Theatre, Secunda, Mpumalanga. The group will be performing a play called “Seasons of Love” which captures real life stories, felt and endured by individuals from the Rainbow Theatre.

Workshops

Think HIV Trends 2015 Workshop

8 and 9 April 2015 - Oaklands Inn, Randburg

21 and 22 April 2015 - River Club, Cape Town

6 and 7 May 2015 - Sica's, Durban

For more info email cindy@cindypivacic.co.za 

Indaba Networking Golf Day

Applications now open for BASA Basics-KZN

Applications are now open for arts organisations in Kwa Zulu Natal to become part of Business and Arts South Africa’s 2015 BASA Basics programme.

The six-month long programme is part of BASA’s newly developed three-tiered Education Programme. Started in 2014, the initiative is an integral part of BASA’s commitment to developing innovative educational programmes that seek to ensure the relevance and sustainability of the arts in society.

BASA Basics has been specially created for arts organisations and individuals wanting to start a for-profit or non-for-profit organisation.

It will introduce emerging artists to the legal registration options and processes available in terms of establishing an arts organisation. BASA Basics is additionally focused on enabling arts organisations to emerge from the programme with a workable business model that will play an important role in taking their organisation forward.

BASA Basics is built around a series of workshops, each one focused on a particular skill that will equip emerging arts organisations with the necessary tools to get started.

The kick-off BASA Basics workshop will look at understanding legal entities, as well as Governance and Compliance while the second one moves on to establishing the vision, mission, basic operational budgeting, resource evaluation and basic Business Models of the arts organisation. Proposal writing, business communication and partnership or ‘friend-raising’ is the focus of the third BASA Basics workshop.

All successful applicants must attend all workshops within the BASA Basics six-month programme and commit to the full extent of the programme.

The closing date for applications is 31 March 2015.

BASA’s Education Programme is partnered with The National Arts Council, NLDTF, and RMB.

To fill in an application form to be considered for the BASA Basics programme, please visit the BASA website at www.basa.co.za and download the word document. Completed application forms must be e-mailed to onthatile@basa.co.za. For further information contact Onthatile Ditshego, Manager of BASA’s Education and Training Programme at BASA’s offices on 011 447 2295.

artSPACE durban next exhibition

Andreas Chasomeris presents:

“Pre-code Forecast 1931”

Opening on Monday, 4 May

Closing on Saturday, 23 May 2015

Red Light by Andreas Chasomeris 

Pre-code Forecast 1931 is an engaging new exhibition of paintings, photography and film by Durban queer artist Andreas Chasomeris. The title encapsulates the major themes that Chasomeris has been exploring in relation to History, Censorship and Cinema. The date of 1931 is significant because this period of time was fascinating as the Great Depression (1929-1935) was being felt around the world, Cinema in both Europe and specifically Hollywood was embracing the progressive nature of society, however the stark realities of the era gave rise to what is now considered Pre-code Hollywood (1930-1934), technological innovation of sound (1927) heralded a new dawn of talking pictures and films like Josef von Sternberg The Blue Angel (1929) and Shanghai Express (1931); Reinhold Schünzel’s Viktor und Viktoria (1933). These films are but a few of the examples that became evidence later by the Production code of the fear of the screen in corrupting and destroying the public, these films were labelled as Vice pictures and by 1934 with the Catholic League of Decency promised to eradicate any disgusting, immoral and vice ridden representations off the screens. 

Chasomeris personal response from a critical evaluation based on the past documented histories and the present lived experience of being a queer artist in post-Apartheid South African context.

As an educator with a passion for film, art and history, he firmly believes in order to understand the possibility that our potential future holds is deeply entrenched in the narratives of the past.

The exhibition includes influences of Art Deco, Marlene Dietrich, Weimar Republic, Jean Harlow, Busby Berkeley musical numbers, Cole Porter and a touch of Agatha Christie.

Venue: 3 Millar Road off Umgeni Road

This edition by Fred Felton

twitter @fredfelton 

Opportunities in the Arts for Musicians and Auditions

Chorus Master ad hoc post
Gauteng Opera is looking for a part time chorus master for their 2015 opera and concert season.

Gauteng Opera have an ad hoc post available:
AD HOC CHORUS MASTER FOR 2015

Gauteng Opera is looking for a part time chorus master for their 2015 opera and concert season. Candidates must have prior experience with choral conducting and be able to play the piano (background in Opera and/or classical music will be advantageous)

The successful candidate will have to be able to:
- Plan and execute rehearsal schedules for the chorus
- Prepare the chorus musically, vocally and be able to interpret the scores.
- Be available for evening and weekend rehearsals when needed.
- Be present at all performances of the chorus.

Candidates with the above requirements should forward their CV’s to info@gautengopera.org

Last day of submission: 20 March 2015.

Gauteng Opera Chorus Auditions
Gauteng Opera will be hosting further auditions for their 2015 season of nothing but pleasing opera music to the ear.

Gauteng Opera present:

AUDITIONS
Gauteng Opera is looking for you…!!!

Gauteng Opera will be hosting further auditions for their 2015 season of nothing but pleasing opera music to the ear. We are looking for professional singers to be part of the soloists and chorus for this year’s season.

Auditions will be held at the Gauteng Opera Offices – corner of Anderson and Miriam Makeba streets, Ferreirasdorp - Johannesburg (opposite the JHB magistrate court).

Candidates need to SMS/WhatsApp the Gauteng Opera office, with their name and voice part, for an audition appointment on 084 310 2967 alternatively 082 898 2248.

Candidates will be required to perform two pieces of their choice (preferably Opera/ Classical) for the panel. Candidates are required to bring sheet music on the day of the audition as an accompanist will be available to accompany them on the piano.

Audition date: Saturday, 28 March 2015 from 10:00.

Venue: Gauteng Opera Offices – corner of Anderson and Miriam Makeba streets, Ferreirasdorp - Johannesburg (opposite the JHB magistrate court).


Music Business: Panel Discussion
The discussion is presented by high level musicians and professionals from the music industry.
The panel is chaired by Antos Stella and aimed at musicians and others in the industry wanting to know more about the business of music. The workshops cover business operations, event production, royalties and trends within the music industry.
Date: Friday, 27 March 2015
Time: 11:00 – 13:00
Venue: VOC Room, Cape Sun, Cape Town
RSVP: csi@espafrika.com (BOOKING ESSENTIAL)
Theme: Digital 101 : Finding new revenue opportunities


Exhibition on at artSPACE durban

(Image - TRV - Prussian Blues) 

"pulcinella's secret" 
by Trui Roozeveld van der Ven

Walkabout on Saturday, 21 March at 11a.m. by the artist.

Outpost by Anthony Morton in the Main Gallery.

3 Millar Road (off Umgeni Rd) Durban, 031-312-0793

www.artspace-durban.com 

You Get An Audition - You Get An Audition - Everyone Gets An Audition

There are so many auditions around the country

Auditions for KickstArt’s "Shrek, the musical"

Durban’s KickstArt Theatre Company, will be holding open auditions for the forthcoming South African premiere of the hit Broadway musical, "Shrek", due to run in May/June at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre later this year.

KickstArt invites all performers over 18 years of age with strong singing and dancing ability to come to the audition and try out for the large featured ensemble. Director, Steven Stead, indicates that his team is looking for 5 men and 6 women to play a variety of cameo character parts including, the Three Little Pigs, the Fairy Godmother, a Witch, Peter Pan, Ugly Duckling and a cross-dressing wolf.

Interested artists should be able to sing to a very high level, with strong Broadway-style “belt” ranges, and also be good dancers, able to pick up a variety of choreographic styles easily.

Auditions will be held at The Playhouse Theatre’s Mayville Studios on Saturday 24 January. Registration commences at 10am, with a dance audition at 10.30am. All those who make it through the dance audition will then be asked to sing individually for the production team. Please prepare an uptempo Broadway or musical theatre song (NOT a pop song!) that shows off range and character. Bring sheet music or a backing track on cd. Also, wear appropriate clothing and footwear for dancing. Nor slops or sandals!

Rehearsals will be held between 18 April and 15 May, 2.30pm-8pm Mon-Friday, and 10am-5pm Saturday. Performances are scheduled 7pm nightly, with 2.30pm shows on Saturday and Sunday and during the school holidays.

In Addition:

KickstArt is also looking for two 10-12 year old girls, and two 14-16 year old girls to play the Young and Teenage Princess Fiona. These girls need to have strong singing voices, and be capable of singing confidently in harmony. They also need to be fair skinned, since they need to resemble Jessica Sole, the actress playing the Adult Fiona.

Interested girls should arrive at Mayville Studios at 2.30pm and put their names on a register. They will be asked to sing a prepared song, preferably from a musical that shows off the belting range. No dancing is required.

For further information, please email kickstart@letni.co.za.

This edition by Fred Felton

twitter @fredfelton 

Auditions Big Brother Mzansi Countrywide

Auditions for Big Brother Mzansi are coming soon.

You have to be over 21 years old to audition and a citizen / legal in South Africa.

Dates: 31 January and 1 February 2015 for all auditions countrywide.
Time: 8am - 3pm on both days
Venues
Durban - BAT Centre
Cape Town - Cape Town Lodge - 101 Buitengracht St
Johannesburg - The Pyramid Venue - Eloff St
Bring your ID.

You can audition on your own or with a partner eg brother, sister, mates, couple etc.