The last rounds of the eighth annual talent extravaganza, PnA Ultimate Performer, took place this weekend at the Guild Theatre. Seventy-two hopefuls danced, sang, modelled and acted their hearts out on the Guild’s Theatre stage in pursuit of this year’s winner’s title.
More than 300 East Londoners with a knack for the performing arts auditioned in this year’s talent search, but only the cream of the crop battled it out for the main spot over the weekend.
This year, people living with physical disabilities were also given a chance at being selected as the city’s star performer, a first for the talent show since it began nearly a decade ago.
The junior and senior semi-finals took place all of Saturday while the finals took place yesterday afternoon and evening, with the senior winner being announced too late for the names to make it into today’s newspaper.
Talent and creativity were displayed all weekend as different youngsters and adults from all walks of life brought their A-game for the judges and audience members who filled the theatre on both days.
One of the event’s organisers, Anne Mclaren, said the event had remained strong and relevant for eight years as it was a platform for individuals whose talent would otherwise go unrecognised.
“Not every one is lucky enough to be part of a team that performs on theatre stages, so through this platform everyone has a chance to live out their dreams.”
Mclaren said selecting the finalists from the large number of entrants was a daunting experience. “We had 210 items from 300 entrants, which we had to bring down to about 70 finalists across all ages.”
Well-known young performer Paige Collins walked away with the first place as the junior overall ultimate performer.
Collins, 11, is an aspiring star who isn’t new on the East London arts and performance scene. She said the win further validated her passion for dance.
“It is my dream to become a professional dancer or a dance teacher. I’m very happy about getting first place.
“It makes me feel like dance is what I’m born to do.”
Four-year-old Usi Njekanye came out on top as the petite overall ultimate performer, as well as the petite and junior ultimate performer. Njekanye’s self-taught drum playing skills blew the judges away. The boy, who comes from Duncan Village, said his father taught him how to play. “I enjoy playing drums a lot. I’m happy that I won. I’m going to share my medals with my older brother.”
East London dance and drama teacher Jo Stemmet was one of the judges over the weekend. She said the local talent found in the city was amazing.
“People from all walks of life are given the opportunity to spread their wings and showcase their passion. It has been an absolute pleasure to witness this.”
PnA’s owners Darrel and Gussie Eberhardt, who are part of the Page Group, said the show thrived on giving everyone a platform to perform. “There’s a lot of talent in East London, and we love to see even the marginalised having the chance to live out their dreams on stage.” — nonsindisoq@dispatch.co.za
Cream of East London talent battle it out for top honours at the Guild
More than 300 East Londoners with a knack for the performing arts auditioned in this year’s talent search, but only the cream of the crop battled it out for the main spot over the weekend.
This year, people living with physical disabilities were also given a chance at being selected as the city’s star performer, a first for the talent show since it began nearly a decade ago.
The junior and senior semi-finals took place all of Saturday while the finals took place yesterday afternoon and evening, with the senior winner being announced too late for the names to make it into today’s newspaper.
Talent and creativity were displayed all weekend as different youngsters and adults from all walks of life brought their A-game for the judges and audience members who filled the theatre on both days.
One of the event’s organisers, Anne Mclaren, said the event had remained strong and relevant for eight years as it was a platform for individuals whose talent would otherwise go unrecognised.
“Not every one is lucky enough to be part of a team that performs on theatre stages, so through this platform everyone has a chance to live out their dreams.”
Mclaren said selecting the finalists from the large number of entrants was a daunting experience. “We had 210 items from 300 entrants, which we had to bring down to about 70 finalists across all ages.”
Well-known young performer Paige Collins walked away with the first place as the junior overall ultimate performer.
Collins, 11, is an aspiring star who isn’t new on the East London arts and performance scene. She said the win further validated her passion for dance.
“It is my dream to become a professional dancer or a dance teacher. I’m very happy about getting first place.
“It makes me feel like dance is what I’m born to do.”
Four-year-old Usi Njekanye came out on top as the petite overall ultimate performer, as well as the petite and junior ultimate performer. Njekanye’s self-taught drum playing skills blew the judges away. The boy, who comes from Duncan Village, said his father taught him how to play. “I enjoy playing drums a lot. I’m happy that I won. I’m going to share my medals with my older brother.”
East London dance and drama teacher Jo Stemmet was one of the judges over the weekend. She said the local talent found in the city was amazing.
“People from all walks of life are given the opportunity to spread their wings and showcase their passion. It has been an absolute pleasure to witness this.”
PnA’s owners Darrel and Gussie Eberhardt, who are part of the Page Group, said the show thrived on giving everyone a platform to perform. “There’s a lot of talent in East London, and we love to see even the marginalised having the chance to live out their dreams on stage.” — nonsindisoq@dispatch.co.za
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