Ex-Northlink College drama students going to 7de Laan auditions

This dream has become a reality for two aspiring young actors who took part in the Eden/West Coast Drama Festival at the Artscape Fugard Theatre in Cape Town on Sunday 3 February.

The festival is an annual showcase at the Suidoosterfees for emerging talents to present their work on stage. It is a joint effort between Suidoosterfees, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport and others to share local stories and to promote community theatre groups.

Olivia Pika (22) from Plettenberg Bay and Julian van der Westhuizen (23) from Langebaan jumped with delight when they were chosen as Best Actress and Actor. The couple, who represented the group “Redlight 7”, are former drama students from Northlink College in Tygervalley. They are set to audition in Johannesburg next week for a role in the television series 7de Laan.

“Winning was an amazing feeling; it really means the world to me,” said Van der Westhuizen. He never thought something like this would happen to him. “I just want to learn as much as possible. This is more than an audition, it is an opportunity to learn; a new experience.”

According to Pika, “to perform on a professional stage is my dream. This will also be my first audition, and I just want to give my best.”

This event was preceded by four drama festivals – two in Eden district and the other two in the West Coast district. Two winners from each district were chosen to represent their regions at the Suidoosterfees.

Thami Mbongo of the Baxter Theatre said he would invite all four groups to perform at the Zabalaza Festival (2-17 March), which is another opportunity for young talent to perform on a professional stage. Redlight 7 will also present its production Tussen Grafte at the Absa Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunsteweek (KKNK) in Oudtshoorn on 30 March.

(This article was taken from the Weslander Newspaper’s website at http://www.weslander.co.za/articles/articledetails.aspx?mode=news&id=49502)