Supported by the National Lotteries Commission, the National Eisteddfod Academy (NEA) creates opportunities for youth development in the arts.

These opportunities include the annual National Eisteddfod of South Africa, the NEA Indigenous Arts Development Project, the annual NEA Awards Competition and the NEA Young Performer Showcase.

The NEA Showcase concerts have grown in popularity over the past few years and have become a cultural highlight as illustrated by sold-out performances and the high standard of performances.

These events will feature some of the best young performers in drama, music dance and indigenous arts as identified in the various regions of the National Eisteddfod as well as the NEA Indigenous Arts Development Project. The eisteddfod top achievers will also be acknowledged and awarded at these events.

The dates for Showcase 2015, to be presented at the Roodepoort Theatre, are as follows: October 16 (Western Gauteng), October 20 – 21, 23 (Randburg), October 27 (Johannesburg), and October 29 and 30 (Sandton).

The Showcase for Limpopo and Northern Gauteng will take place at the Atterbury Theatre on November 9, while Mpumalanga is scheduled for October 24 at the Nelspruit Theatre.

All shows start at 7 pm and booking is at Smartfan (Roodepoort Theatre) and Computicket (Atterbury Theatre) or at the door. Tickets range from R60 – R115.

All recipients of diploma awards in the eisteddfod can look forward to entering the NEA Awards Competition in March and May 2016. This competition provides the next level of participation where the best young performers from various regions in the country can compete for prize money of about R50 000.

For more information contact the NEA Office at 011 886 6005 or email info@eisteddfod.co.za  or log onto http://www.eisteddfod.co.za.

About the National Eisteddfod Academy (NEA)

• The National Eisteddfod Academy provides various opportunities where young performers can develop and showcase their talents across the full spectrum of artistic and cultural diversity and experience the magic of the performing arts. These opportunities include the NEA Young Performers Showcases and the annual NEA Young Performer Awards competition.
• Previous eisteddfod top achievers include Andile Ndlovu and Camille Bracher, both top achievers in the International Ballet Competition held in Cape Town in 2007; Ndlovu was also a finalists in Dance, Dance, Dance presented by KykNet and he recently performed in Don Quixote at the Lyric Theatre. In 2009 the dance group, Death Rattle was invited to perform for the title shoot of a TV programme. Carmen Pretorius, another Eisteddfod top achiever, performed as Sophie in Mama Mia and as Cinderella in Cinderella. The winner of the Silver Medal in the NEA Awards Competition 2015 Henno William, is currently a semi-finalist in E-TV’s SA’s got Talent.
• The Young Performer Showcase concerts feature some of the best young performers in drama, music and dance as identified in various regions at the annual Eisteddfod, presented by the NEA. These concerts have grown in popularity over the past few years and have become a cultural highlight as illustrated by sold-out performances and the high standard of performances. They showcase learners from all communities and promote awareness of our South African multi-cultural diversity.Gauteng South Africa