The founder of My African Dream project, Rosalyn Beukes, said they are ready to search for more talent and develop more potential stars in all areas of performing arts in the country, as her team wants to expand its reach to different locations.
She said the project, which was started in 2006 as a junior talent search, is now established and would like to afford more participants the opportunity to experience developing opportunities.
Beukes indicated that, in addition to six locations that the project is covering, MAD intends to unearth, motivate, encourage and develop “new” talent in different places across the country.
She said that through committed sponsors and partners, “MAD will provide a nurturing platform that encourages potential “stars” onto the stage. We will educate these performers in “basic” skills and theatre etiquette and provide them with a “safe” environment that introduces them to this “career” option.”
She said MAD has grown to include a section for teens, seniors and now promotes the Visual Arts.
“MAD currently is well established and well supported and can thus expand its reach with the support of individuals who have the necessary skill and expertise in this field. The project initially only afforded opportunities to Gaborone entrants, but now does a national search in over six locations,” said Beukes.
She added that school tours are conducted by the presenters and MAD team.
The founder said the MAD project, which nurtures talent by firstly providing the opportunity and platform to showcase the skill, ultimately teaches and encourages the performer to a higher level.
If talent is identified, it is selected to participate in various activities such as camp, rehearsals, mentoring, semi-finals and the finale event.
Meanwhile she said one of the challenges in doing this work is that it is time consuming and mostly conducted on a voluntary basis. She indicated that there are still a number of areas currently with limited resources and added that audience attendance and support at the events and through the voting line needs to be addressed.
For this year, the Grand Finale is coming in November and it will feature the top 18 participants.
