Scholarship: The Arts & Culture Trust Scholarship Programme

About: The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) in association with the Dramatic, Artistic and Literary Rights Organisation (DALRO) has launched the ACT Scholarship Programme. The programme will kick off in 2009 with the DALRO Performing Arts Scholarship. For the next three years (2009-2011) one student at entry level will annually be awarded a grant of R 75,000 towards the costs of their undergraduate studies in the performing arts at a leading accredited tertiary institution of their choice. Learners in their final year of secondary education are invited to participate in a national competition where they will be assessed on their singing, dancing and acting potential. Individuals who have experience in the performing arts but who are not currently registered for a degree are also eligible and are encouraged to enter.

First Rounds: The first round of the competition will rotate annually amongst the geographical regions in South Africa. During 2009 the first rounds will be hosted at the South African National Schools Festival in Grahamstown between 12 and 16 July 2009. Subsequent rounds will follow in Durban and Johannesburg and will take place between 17 and 25 July 2009.

Rules of the Competition: And guidelines for preparation and the relevant registration forms should be downloaded from ACT Website. A limited number of registrations will be subsidised. The selected finalists must be available for the final round which will take place in Johannesburg during September 2009. ACT will cover the costs of travel and accommodation for finalists.

Closing Dates: For subsidised registrations is 31 March 2009 and for general registrations is 30 April 2009.

For more information: Contact Pieter Jacobs in the ACT office on 011 802 7646 or e-mail pieter@act.org.za

Auditions: Opera singers and dancers

About: The new opera company focusing in African and South African opera productions, The South African Lyric Opera Company (SALOC) under the leadership of Dikeledi Madondo (Managing Director), Marcus Desando (Artistic Director) and Sifiso Kweyama (Choreographer), will be holding singing and dance auditions for the company’s co ensemble for the 2009 season.

Positions up contention: The company is looking for 12 opera singers and 10 Africa/Contemporary dancers.

Requirements: Singers must prepare three arias - accompanist will be provided and Dancers must prepare a minute long contemporary piece and bring their own music. CD player will be provided. An ability to sing and understand African opera will be an added advantage.

Auditions Dates: Friday, 06 February 2009 (Singing) and Saturday, 07 February 2009 (Dance), from 09h00 to 18h00

Venue: The South African State Theatre, 320 Pretorius Street, Pretoria in Tshwane.

For more information: Call Teresa on 011 315 7104 during office hours.

Auditions: The Merry Widow auditions in 2009

About: The Black Tie Ensemble will be holding auditions in January for their production of The Merry Widow by Frans Lehar to be performed during June 2009 in the Opera Theatre at The South African State Theatre.

Positions up contention: Male singing actors (2), Female can-can dancers (6), Male can-can dancers (2), Female African dancers (5), Male African dancers (5)

Auditions Dates: Wednesday, 28 January 2009 to Friday, 30 January 2009

For more information: and appointments regarding the above please contact 012 322 7944 after Monday, 12 January 2009

Auditions: Dance for All Company goes nationwide

About: The Dance for All Company is seeking several versatile dancers to boost their ranks. The company based in Athlone in Cape Town will be holding auditions around the country for dancers 18 years of age and older. Applicants should be trained in classical ballet and contemporary dance and female dancers must please bring their pointe shoes.

Audition Date: Cape Town: Sunday, 23 November 2008 (10h00 – 12h00) at Dance for All Dance Centre, 10 Aden Avenue, Athlone.

Johannesburg: Sunday, 07 December 2008 (12h00 – 14h00) at the Nelson Mandela Civic Theatre, Loveday Street, Braamfontein.

Durban: Monday, 08 December 2008 (13h30 – 15h30) at The Playhouse Company, 29 Acutt Street.

For more information: Contact Yolisa at 021 697 5509 or e-mail company@danceforall.co.za

Auditions: Johannesburg Youth Orchestra

About: The Johannesburg Youth Orchestra Company, a non-profit organization, provides a musical home for children who play Orchestral Instruments. Since its inception in 1998, the company has experienced phenomenal growth, expanding from one single group into several flourishing youth orchestras, with over 1800 children experiencing the joy of making music together. Every year, opportunities open up for additional young musicians to be accepted into one of the company's seven ensembles, where playing together is stimulating and fun. The groups are regularly invited to perform at prestigious functions and to present concerts at well known venues.

Audition Date: Auditions commence in November 2008.

For more information: Young string, woodwind, brass and percussion players wanting to belong to one of the Orchestra Company's award-winning Youth Orchestras are invited to request an application form by calling 011 484 1257or email: orchadmin@global.co.za

Auditions: New season of Umoja, The Spirit of Togetherness

About: UMOJA, The Spirit of Togetherness is one of South Africa's most popular international shows. UMOJA has already been seen by audiences in 24 countries and transports audiences into the history of South African music and dance. The 50-piece cast is made up from a myriad of South African cultures that each have their own story to tell. It has grown immensely over the years and will continue to do so with this latest season. A brand-new version of the acclaimed musical opens at the Victory Theatre in Houghton Estate on August 8 this year.

Audition Date: Award-winning producer Joe Theron will be holding auditions for the new show at the Victory Theatre on Monday, June 23 from 9am. The production is looking for fresh new voices and tall, good-looking dancers of both sexes. There is a total revamp in terms of choreography, style and music.

For more information: Thomas on 011 614 1911

Auditions: Beauty & the Beast's "Chip"

About: The South African Producers of Disney Beauty & the Beast Broadway’s smash hit musical will be holding auditions for the character “Chip”, an adorable, inquisitive Tea-Cup. We are looking for 8 – 10 year old boys who must be no taller than 125cms and weigh no more than 30kg. He must have a prepared song and bring sheet music in the correct key to the audition.

Audition date: Sunday 29 June 2008 at 10h00

Where: Conference centre, East entrance, Montecasino

For more information: Contact Jill Somers 082 474 1269

Youth Festival: State Theatre presents XPRESSIONZ!

Background: June 16 is the day to celebrate courage over and above freedom. During the Soweto uprising, the young people stood up for what they believed in and addressed the issues which were affecting them at that time. In 2008 we are using the festival as a platform to celebrate young South African talent in various disciplines within the arts, and are inviting young people whose works reflect new and fresh ideas to use their creativity to address and deal with the issues affecting young people today.

About:If you are a young person and looking for a platform to express your freedom and talent in the arts, this is your time and opportunity. The festival will also include a career expo, traditional games and debate, to give our youth a platform to XPREZ themselves! Some of the genres include: comedy, edutainment, rock, graffiti, jazz, drama, poetry, pantsula, soul and gospel.

Requirements: The participants will also be required to audition their work before taking part in the festival. Forms are available on The State Theatre website or at The State Theatre Reception 320 Pretorius Street.

Closing Date: Not specified

Festival Dates: 16 - 30 June 2008 from 10h00 to 17h00 daily, excluding Sundays

For more information: Development Office on 012 392 4075

Entertainer Needed: Jabulani the Dreamer

About: Reach For A Dream fulfils the dreams of children facing life-threatening illness. The Foundation fulfils on average 3 dreams a day nationally and is excited to announce their latest project aimed at bringing joy and happiness to an even greater number of children facing life-threatening illnesses.

A new type of Medical Specialist will be visiting the hospital wards dispensing large doses of laughter to the patients, and medical staff. ‘Jabulani the Dreamer’ will entertain children facing long periods in hospitals and help lighten the serious side of the hospital, bringing support, fun and laughter by providing entertainment in various forms.

Reaching over 6 300 children last year through National projects such as Group Outings, Camp Sunshine, Queen For A Day and Captain Courage, and based on a world wide trend of using humour and laughter to improve health, Reach For A Dream will be introducing ‘Jabulani the Dreamer’ to children throughout homes and hospitals in South Africa.

Requirements: : Reach For A Dream would like to call on any interested experienced applicants to contact them if they feel they can add value to this innovative project. Are you able, and do you have experience in improvising and entertaining children? Are you available during the week? Do you have the people skills to listen, be sensitive and caring? Would you be able to work in a hospital environment? Do you get along with children?

Where: The Foundation will be recruiting in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London and Bloemfontein.

Interview Dates: Applicants, if successful, need to be available for training from 19th June 2008 – 4th July 2008. Interviews will be taking place in the following areas: 23rd June 2008 in Durban, 24th June 2008 in Cape Town, 25th June 2008 in Pretoria and 26th June 2008 in Johannesburg.

Closing Date for Application: Monday, 16 June 2008.

For more information: Call Angie on 011 781 0133, fax 011 781 0133, or e-mail angie@reachforadream.org.za or visit Reach For A Dream Foundation

Dance: DanceCor Choreographic Celebration

About: DanceCor’s annual Choreographic Celebration will be held on Saturday, 07 June 2008 at the National School of the Arts. This is a platform for dance students from the ages of 9 and over to showcase their own choreography. Any dance form may be performed; this is the choreographer’s choice and categories go from solo, duet, trio through to group. This celebration is open to all who wish to enter.

Closing Date: Monday, 19 May 2008

Perfomance Date: Saturday, 07 June 2008

Where: National School of the Arts

For more information: Vivienne at the DanceCor office on 011 485 4101 or dancecor@artslink.co.za or visit DanceCor

Music: Call for Funding Applications

About: Mmino, a South African- Norwegin funding programme aimed at supporting the development of music in South Africa. Funding is available for music exchange and music education projects.

Closing Date: Friday, 20 June 2008 at 12h00

Where: NAC, 66 Margaret Mcingana Street, Newtown

For more information: 011 838 1383 or janneke@nac.org.za