Talent put to the test
YOUNG PERFORMER COMPETITION: LIVE AND VIDEO WILL BE ACCEPTED
National Eisteddfod Academy goes ahead with prestigious event.
Youth development in the arts should not be locked down.
Accordingly, the National Eisteddfod Academy (NEA), a nonprofit organisation for youth development in the arts, is calling for entries for its 18th Young Performer Awards competition, one of the most prestigious events of its kind in South Africa.
The competition is open to amateur performers in music (classical and contemporary), dance and drama who have excelled in any eisteddfod or similar event anywhere in the country in 2020.
It is presented over four rounds, starting on 17 March, with the final round on 8 May at the Roodepoort Theatre, where the gold, silver and bronze medals and cash prizes will be awarded to the winning performers in each category.
To facilitate meeting the challenges resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic and any other eventualities that may arise from the prevailing lockdown level, participation and adjudication in the first and second rounds will allow for both live and recorded performances.
To even the playing field in the adjudication and ranking of live and video performances, each will be ranked separately in first and second rounds.
The quarterfinal ranking will comprise the top achievers from both groups.
For entry, participants should have received a diploma award from the National Eisteddfod of SA, or a similar award in any other eisteddfod or competition last year.
To assist talented performers who did not participate in an eisteddfod last year and therefore do not qualify to enter, the NEA has introduced a preliminary qualifying round where it will accept recorded submissions.
“The Young Performer Awards competition provides a vital stepping stone for young artists,” said Dr Francois van den Berg, chief executive of National Eisteddfod Academy. “The subsequent achievements of many previous winners, top achievers and participants in their careers, is proof of this.”