World champs of performing arts opens auditions

LOCAL artistes have been invited to take part in the auditions for the forthcoming edition of the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) 2021 set for Las Vegas, United States, from November 20 to 28.

WCOPA is an open competition for countries across the world that is described as an annual “Talent Olympics” for aspiring performers and entertainers.

Zimbabwe World Championships of Performing Arts (ZWCOPA) assistant national director Ronnie Sibanda told NewsDay Life & Style that the event would have many categories, among them dance, drums, singing and modelling.

“We are very happy and excited to announce that Zimbabwe is one of the selected countries to take part in the World Championships of Performing Arts 2021. Anyone who is willing to take part can get in touch with us on any of our social media platforms with a one-minute or less audition entry,” he said.

“We will also hold a boot camp to evaluate and select the talent from what we would have had, with the best set to represent the country in November.”

Sibanda said they were appealing to stakeholders in the arts industry, business communities, government and any other interested parties to support the talent to be scouted.

“The huge task ahead is to support the talent that has been identified under the leadership of our selected national director Khaliphile ‘Khally’ Sibanda to be able to take that talent to Las Vegas this year,” he said.

Meanwhile, Khally, who is the newly-selected national director for ZWCOPA, said so far, more than 70 countries, including Zimbabwe, have been selected and local auditions would take place soon.

“The categories have 12 plus genres, which means there is no limit to any act. This is the reason why we need assistance from the government as this is an opportunity for artists and aspiring ones to go and showcase their talent,” she said.

Sibanda said the event was a lifetime experience that could change the view of the arts, especially in Zimbabwe.

“I wish we can get assistance from the government and the Arts and Recreation (ministry) in taking our arts to the world. This is the 25th year of the Arts Olympics and we have discovered many youths and artists do not even know about it,” she said.