Call for applications: ACT scholarships 2019

Funded by Nedbank and the Dramatic, Artistic and Literary Rights Organisation (DALRO) and supported by the Market Theatre Foundation, the ACT scholarship programme strives to nurture young talent and provide tertiary education opportunities to young people who have their sights set on pursuing performance and visual arts training.

Eligibility

• The scholarships are intended for learners who are currently in or have completed their matric.
• Applicants should be aged between 18 and 25 years.
• Applicants should have completed matric, not registered at a tertiary institution, nor considered to be professional artists.
• ACT will cover finalists’ meals, travel and accommodation costs.
• The final adjudication will take place on 28 September.
• Candidates must be available for the final round, which will take place in Johannesburg from 22 September to 28 September.
• Scholarships may only be utilised for performing arts studies at a South African tertiary institution. The winners will be at liberty to choose the performing arts course and institution.

Auditions

Hundreds of applicants will be auditioned countrywide in June and July. From these, three finalists are selected in each category. The selected finalists will spend a week in Johannesburg working with trained professionals at the Market Theatre Laboratory. The week will culminate in a final showcase at the Market Theatre, in front of friends, family and an independent panel of judges.

Audition dates and locations are as follows:

• Rustenburg – 17 June
• Nelspruit – 18 June
• Johannesburg – 20 and 21 June
• Pretoria – 24 June
• Polokwane – 25 June
• Durban – 27 June
• Port Elizabeth – 28 June
• Bloemfontein – 2 July
• Kimberly – 3 July
• Cape Town – 4 and 5 July

More about the auditions

• Singing candidates are required to prepare two songs of their choice, in any genre, which best showcase their range, technique and overall talent. Songs should be no longer than two minutes each. Applicants must be accompanied by a backing track.
• Musical theatre candidates are required to prepare two musical theatre pieces of their choice that best showcase their range and talent. Pieces need to showcase their acting, singing and dancing abilities in the musical theatre style. Musical theatre performances should be no longer than two minutes each.
• Dance candidates are required to prepare two dance/movement pieces of their choice which best showcase your range and talent. Each piece should be no longer than two minutes.
• Acting candidates are required to prepare two monologues of their choice that best showcase their range and talent. Monologues should be no longer than two minutes each. Though candidates are at liberty to select their audition material, ACT strongly dissuades performing material that candidates have written themselves.
• Candidates are required to bring the music for their singing, musical theatre and dance pieces to the audition on a CD and/or USB. Please doubl check the CD's format. CDs and USB will be played on a Hi-Fi system. There will not be a PC and/or piano available at the audition.
• Mobile storage devices cannot be accommodated, it is not permissible to audition with music on your cellphone.
• No parents or teachers will be allowed in the audition venue during adjudication. Kindly bring minimal props. No costume changes are allowed. A table and a chair will be provided by the venue.
• Suggestions for audition pieces will be available here at the end of May.

ACT scholarships recipients are eligible to study at any of the following institutions. Applicants whose preferred institutions are not listed below, should contact the ACT office.

• University of the Witwatersrand.
• University of Pretoria.
• Tshwane University of Technology.
• University of Cape Town.
• University of Stellenbosch.
• The Rainbow Academy.
• Moving into Dance Mophatong.
• Durban University of Technology.
• University of KwaZulu-Natal Howard College.
• University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg Campus.
• North-West University.
• University of the Free State.
• Rhodes University.
• AFDA, the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance.
• City Varsity, School of Media and Creative Arts.
• Oakfields College.
• Market Theatre Laboratory.
• Sibikwa Arts Centre.
• Waterfront Theatre School.
• Campus of Performing Arts.
• Ehlanzeni Arts Academy from Mbombela, Mpumalanga.

Registration and payment

Interested applicants should register here to audition for the scholarships. A registration fee of R120 per participant is payable when the registration is submitted. Proof of payment must be attached to the online registration form. Successful applicants will win R50 000 in tuition towards a qualification in performing arts.

The registration deadline is 20 May.

Applicants should use their name and surname as reference on the payment. Payment should be made to the following account:

Account name: Arts & Culture Trust
Bank name: Nedbank
Account number: 1908 614 927
Branch name: Fox Street
Branch code: 190805
Account type: Current account

Should you have any queries, you can contact the ACT office via email at [email protected] or visit the ACT website for more information about this call.