2010 BRETT GOLDIN BURSARY
 The previous Brett Goldin Bursary winners with Sir Antony Sher and Greg Doran of the RSC and Janice Honeyman. L to R: Sir Antony Sher, Thami Mbongo, Omphile Molusi, Janice Honeyman, Greg Doran, Nicholas Pauling |
A Goldin opportunity: Calling for applications for auditions for the 2010 Brett Goldin Bursary
The Baxter Theatre Centre, in association with The Market Theatre, is calling for applications from young South African actors, from anywhere in the country, between the ages of 20 and 30, who wish to audition for the Brett Goldin Bursary for 2010. The closing date is 12 noon on Thursday, 29 April.
Auditions will take place at The Market Theatre in Johannesburg on Wednesday 5 and Thursday, 6 May, with call-backs and finals on Friday, 7 May, when the winners will be announced at a special function later that day.
All applications should be sent to Nicolette Moses, Baxter Theatre Centre, by e-mail to nicolette.moses@uct.ac.za, fax to 021 650 5260 or hand-delivered to the Baxter Theatre Centre, Main Road, Rondebosch, by no later than 12 noon on Thursday, 29 April.
The Brett Goldin Bursary was set up immediately after the young actor and his friend, fashion designer Richard Bloom, both 28, were brutally murdered over the Easter weekend on April 16, four years ago, just days before he was due to leave for Stratford-upon-Avon to perform the role of Guildenstern in the Baxter's production of Hamlet, directed by Janet Suzman, which launched the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company's Complete Works Festival. The double murder sent shockwaves throughout South Africa and England.
The Royal Shakespeare Company, the Actors Centre in Johannesburg and the Baxter Theatre Centre established the bursary, which was kick-started by donations from respected South African-born actor Sir Antony Sher and Honorary RSC Associate Janet Suzman, to give other young actors the opportunity which Brett was denied, and to honour his memory in an appropriate manner.
The bursary is designed to enhance and fine-tune actors who are committed to the need and desire to expand their knowledge and acting ability of Shakespeare. Furthermore, it is essential that they are willing, on their return, to use the skills gained to enthuse and encourage others towards a love and understanding of Shakespeare.
From the applications received, a shortlist of 20 will be made. They will be notified by 30 April and will be invited to audition on the aforementioned dates at The Market Theatre in Johannesburg. The 20 candidates must be available for the auditions and call backs on the said dates, and all costs involved with the process are for the respective actors' own accounts. Six finalists will be selected on Friday, 7 May, and the bursary winners will be announced that same day. Winners will be chosen according to their talent for Shakespeare performance, passion, commitment and overall suitability.
The two successful bursars will travel to the home of the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of the world's most famous playwright, from 18 June to 19 July.
The work programme will include activities such as attending warm-ups, solo and company voice and verse classes, any Artist Development workshops rehearsals, technical rehearsals, as well as sessions with directors and assistant directors and the opportunity to attend Education Department workshops.
The successful candidates will be based in the Artist Development Department and it is hoped that much of the learning experience will come from observation, discussion with personnel working in production, press and casting departments and through contact with other actors, directors and members of the RSC.
The selection criteria stipulate that the actors should be South African citizens, between the ages of 20 and 30 in June 2010, have an interest in classic theatre, have a valid passport and be able to fly to Stratford during the stated period, as dates are strictly not negotiable.
For the audition actors are required to perform two classic speeches (one tragic and one comic) as well as be prepared to tell us why they should be awarded the bursary.
Omphile Molusi became the first recipient of the bursary in 2007 and in 2008 Thami Mbongo and Nicholas Pauling were chosen when the organisers decided to choose two winners every second year. All three actors performed in the highly acclaimed The Tempest which marked the second collaboration between the Baxter Theatre Centre and the Royal Shakespeare Company last year.
For further enquiries about applying for the bursary contact Nicolette Moses on 021 680 3988 during office hours.
Support the Brett Goldin Bursary Fund