Competition to unearth East Cape talent

“Nothing ventured, nothing gained — it’s all about that leap of faith.”

The Dramatic Society of East London is calling on anyone with a special talent to apply for the Eastern Cape’s Got Talent showcase competition, to take place over the coming months at the Alexander Playhouse Theatre.

Singers, actors, dancers, magicians, puppeteers, mimes, even dog trainers — any act that is deemed safe, won’t singe your eyebrows off or infect a fellow performer — may sign up.

Advocate Sally Collett, a committee member of Dramsoc, hoped the show would inspire budding talent and help the beloved Alexander Playhouse, located in Cambridge.

“We have a wealth of talent in the Eastern Cape that never gets exposed,” Collett said.

“The problem is that there aren’t many platforms to do so.

“Another issue is that [other] competition fees are pricey; remember somebody is making a profit off it and therefore it excludes performers from showcasing their talent on stage.”

The entry fee is R50, applicants fill out an entry form via email and entries close on February 29.

“We’ve tried to keep our entry fee as low as possible, for anyone to be able to take part in the competition.”

Inspired by TV shows such as Got Talent, the competition will have a similar concept, tweaked for SA contenders, who are also allowed to perform in any language.

“We will have elimination rounds and a panel of judges that will be selected according to the acts that have entered.

“At this stage, we think the judges will be from outside East London, so that [the judging process] remains fair.

“In those other competitions all over the world, so many [contestants] didn’t believe they would go as far as they did.

“It’s sad if you don’t get an opportunity to showcase your passion.”

Collett said the public could vote for their favourite acts in the final rounds, playing a part in choosing the final winner, who would take home R10,000.

“We will have the cash prize for our main winner and prizes for the finalists, of course.

“We hope to attract involvement from local businesses who would get free advertising, and if they can sponsor anything for participants, say a voucher, this would be added.

“We’ve never run something like this before and it’s very much a learning curve.

“But we are passionate about the arts and the theatre, which has no government funding, so we have to generate our own income.”

In two break-ins in last year, vandals damaged the backstage area and stole vital equipment.

“There is so much to repair, so we hope the community can forge itself together.”

The talent show is open to contestants from across the province, not just Buffalo City.

“This is going to be fun, and something to showcase talent and who knows?

“People can be discovered and even launched into a career.”

To enter for Eastern Cape’s Got Talent, email FinanceDramaticsoc@gmail.com

Entries close on February 29.