The top contestants from a recent local performing arts competition will soon be showcasing their talents in a collaborative gala performance.
Ten Stellenbosch community members, finalists in e’Bosch Heritage Project’s (e’Bosch) Festival of Talents, will be performing in a gala concert at De Laer Voortrekker Venue, on 30 October. This was according to Robert Hindley, the visiting workshop facilitator for e’Bosch.
Finalists for the e’Bosch Heritage Project’s Festival of Talents will be performing at a gala concert on 30 October at De Laer Voortrekker Venue, according to Robert Hindley, visiting workshop facilitator at e’Bosch. PHOTO: Supplied/Robert Hindley
The Festival of Talents is an annual competition that e’Bosch hosts. It aims to showcase the talent of young performers who live in Stellenbosch and the surrounding areas, according to Ann Heyns, the project manager of the competition.
“It’s about inclusivity, bridging the social divide, using inherent talent as a universal language, creating a sense of belonging, forging friendships, creating networks, [and] providing a platform for talent,” said Heyns.
Robert Hindley, the visiting workshop facilitator for the e’Bosch Heritage Project’s Gala Concert, speaks about the concept behind the e’Bosch Festival of Talents. AUDIO: Kirsty Bucholz
From audition to production
The Festival of Talents was advertised through posters on Facebook and flyers, according to Hindley. Widespread auditions for the competition were then held via video submissions in early September, he added.
The main themes of the production for the e’Bosch Heritage Project’s Gala Concert, which will take place on 30 October, are in line with e’Bosch’s ethos of heritage, identity, and community, said Robert Hindley, visiting workshop facilitator at e’Bosch. PHOTO: Supplied/Robert Hindley
The number of entries received in the various categories for this year’s competition were 35 for music, 17 for drama and 12 for dance, according to a post on the e’Bosch Facebook page on 21 October. The top contestants in each category received the opportunity to attend workshops and perform together, explained Hindley.
In the past, the top contestants have been given a predetermined script and play to work towards during workshops, said Hindley. “This year, we decided rather than imposing a story, we applied theatre-based workshops to allow them to tell their own story,” he said.
Robert Hindley, the visiting workshop facilitator for the e’Bosch Heritage Project’s Gala Concert, explains the process behind creating the production for the concert, and its main theme of identity. AUDIO: Kirsty Bucholz
Hindley told MatieMedia that 95% of the script for the play was created by the actors, with him merely guiding and facilitating the process.
“The storyline captures e’Bosch’s ethos of heritage and looking towards the future, with the overarching theme being identity,” said Hindley.
The gala performance
A videographer filmed snippets of the entire process behind the gala performance, from the awarding of certificates to the top ten Festival of Talents candidates, to the workshop sessions and actual production, according to Heyns. The video will be shown before the live performance on 30 October, she added.
Finalists for the e’Bosch Heritage Project’s Festival of Talents received the opportunity to attend workshops and perform together. “Having a talent and putting it to work are often at a disconnect. [The] approach of applied theatre has instilled an ‘a-hah’ momentum,” said Ann Heyns, the project manager of the competition, about the workshop period. PHOTO: Supplied/Robert Hindley
“This production made me realise that I can do more than sing on the stage. I wasn’t interested in acting at all, but this programme made me realise that I can do things that I thought I can’t do,” said Nevrihelle Arnolds, who plays the role of ‘Shy Suzie’ in the production.
Arnolds told MatieMedia that she thinks the play will be a great success.
Nevrihelle Arnolds, who plays the role of ‘Shy Suzie’ in the e’Bosch Heritage Project’s Gala Concert production, speaks about her experience of the Festival of Talents, and how she is feeling for the upcoming performance. AUDIO: Kirsty Bucholz
“I’m a bit nervous, I’m not going to lie, but I know we’re going to do great, because we’ve worked hard on this and we’ve made it our own,” said Arnolds. “I think it’s going to be fun – I’m excited and nervous and everything in one.”