Two Eastern Cape winners achieve in ACT
Two students from the Lady Grey Arts Academy between Aliwal North and Barkly East were among the three winners of the 7th annual ACT | Dalro/Nedbank Performing Arts Scholarships competition.
Winnner of the R105 000 award was head boy Caleb Heynes, while Andiswa Mbolekwa won R60 000.
Caleb is finishing his matric at the Lady Grey Arts Academy. Hailing from Aliwal North, Caleb studies dance, drama and music. He is also known for his skills as a poet and rapper. Among his many performance credits, Caleb played Riff in West Side Story, as well as be-
Photo: SUPPLIED ing featured on ATKV.
Andiswa’s passion for the performing arts is evident in her outstanding drama, singing and dance skills. She has received her colours in Music, as well as a trophy as choir soprano.
The top prize of R150 000 went to Capetonian Carla Smith, who was a member of the Tygerberg Children’s Choir when the choir won three gold medals in the Olympic Choir Games. She was also runnerup in the KykNET National Acting Competition.
After a demanding week of rehearsals at the hands of a talented creative team and a tough final round in front of a live audience, the three were crowned after convincing the judges of their proficiency in singing, dancing and acting, and as a result will be supported in their undergraduate tertiary studies, beginning next year.
The top six performers battled it out during the finale hosted at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg.
For the first time the search went to all nine provinces, scoping talent across the length and breadth of South Africa. Six finalists were chosen through a country-wide audition process, and then coached by a dedicated team of professionals, before put- ting their best foot forward in front of an illustrious panel of judges, and a live audience.
With support from the Arts & Culture Trust; the Dramatic, Artistic and Literary Rights Organisation (Dalro) and Nedbank Arts Affinity, the three winners will have the opportunity to study a performing arts course at an accredited South African tertiary institution of their choice.
They will also receive practical support beyond their studies, including representation by one of South Africa’s top talent agencies, Talent-ETC™ Artist Management.
The Magic in the Making production was crafted with