Every year East London-born agent Elsubie Verlinden gives youngsters from across the country an opportunity to impress talent scouts in the United States.
Verlinden is the exclusive agent for the New York Film Academy and the South African director of the Applause Rising Talent Showcase (Arts) International Expo.
Each year Verlinden and her team travel the country hosting auditions for aspiring actors, models and singers.
Provincial winners go on to compete at a national level and those successful participants join a group to audition in Florida.
Previous Eastern Cape actors and models who have taken part at an international level include Gino Lee, who won a scholarship to study at the New York Film Academy, and Sibulele Kwake.
Verlinden said it was her love of the entertainment business that saw her creating opportunities for the youth of South Africa.
She started modelling at the age of 12 in East London and when the opportunity arose, she relocated to Johannesburg.
She soon realised she didn’t meet the requirements to be a fashion model and worked on her acting skills.
She has made appearances on shows such as Binnelanders, Egoli, Scandal and the film Mr Bones 2.
However, Verlinden said her goal was to help other people turn their dreams into a reality.
“My goal is to allow South African models and artists easy access to international educational and networking opportunities,” she said.
To help others achieve their dreams, she opened her own agency in 2008.
She said she also wanted to bridge the gap between South Africa and international markets.
Verlinden and a group of youngsters from across the country will be leaving in July for Florida to attend the Applause Rising Talent Showcase (Arts) Convention. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
Local talents given a chance to shine on global stage
Verlinden is the exclusive agent for the New York Film Academy and the South African director of the Applause Rising Talent Showcase (Arts) International Expo.
Each year Verlinden and her team travel the country hosting auditions for aspiring actors, models and singers.
Provincial winners go on to compete at a national level and those successful participants join a group to audition in Florida.
Previous Eastern Cape actors and models who have taken part at an international level include Gino Lee, who won a scholarship to study at the New York Film Academy, and Sibulele Kwake.
Verlinden said it was her love of the entertainment business that saw her creating opportunities for the youth of South Africa.
She started modelling at the age of 12 in East London and when the opportunity arose, she relocated to Johannesburg.
She soon realised she didn’t meet the requirements to be a fashion model and worked on her acting skills.
She has made appearances on shows such as Binnelanders, Egoli, Scandal and the film Mr Bones 2.
However, Verlinden said her goal was to help other people turn their dreams into a reality.
“My goal is to allow South African models and artists easy access to international educational and networking opportunities,” she said.
To help others achieve their dreams, she opened her own agency in 2008.
She said she also wanted to bridge the gap between South Africa and international markets.
Verlinden and a group of youngsters from across the country will be leaving in July for Florida to attend the Applause Rising Talent Showcase (Arts) Convention. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
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