The National Eisteddfod Academy NPC, a non-profit organisation for youth development in the arts since 1997, is calling for entries for the 21st NEA Young Performer Awards competition, one of the most prestigious events of its kind in South Africa. Gold, silver and bronze medals and R 20,000 in cash prizes are at stake.
The competition is open to all amateur talented young performers and groups, in music (classical and contemporary) and dance and drama that have excelled in any eisteddfod or similar events anywhere in the country in 2023. It is presented over four rounds, starting on 1 March and concluding with the final round on 11 May 2024 at the Roodepoort Theatre.
Participation and adjudication in the first and second rounds will allow for both live and video recorded performances. To even the playing field in the adjudication and ranking of live and video performances, each will be ranked separately in both the first and second rounds. The final quarter-final ranking will then comprise of the top achievers from both groups.
To qualify for entry to participate in this competition, the would-be participant should have received a diploma award in the National Eisteddfod of South Africa in 2023, or a similar award in any other eisteddfod or competition in the same period. To assist those talented performers that did not participate in any eisteddfod last year and therefore do not qualify to enter, the NEA has introduced a new Preliminary Qualifying Round for those performers by means of a video-recorded submission.
Harold van Buuren, well-known director, choreographer, dance teacher and adjudicator remarked that “our industry absolutely needs what the NEA is doing more than ever, especially in these trying times since the epidemic of Covid has impacted so many of us in our industry.” He described the Young Performer Awards Competition as “events of an excellent standard and representative of artists from all walks, creating a beautifully diverse melting pot of talent.”
The final closing date for live performances is 23 February 2024. Video recorded performances can be submitted until 17 March 2024.
To find out more about the entry fees, entry forms, the performance categories, as well as the Preliminary Qualifying Round and other information, please visit the website www.eisteddfod.co.za\young-performer-awards-2024 or contact the NEA Office on 011-886-6005 / e-mail: admin@eisteddfod.co.za.
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