33 & Me Talent Agency secure $250 000 worth in scholarships for South African talent to study at AMDA and fly in Global Head of Netflix
The 11th annual International ARTS Talent Showcase (IATS) will take place from 23 - 25 September at Silverstar Casino.
As part of their yearly scholarship programs, The IATS Producer and Director of 33 & Me Talent Agency, Elsubie Verlinden, has secured $250 000 worth in partial scholarships for local talent to go and study at AMDA in Los Angeles or New York City.
AMDA is the number one best college for the performing arts in America. Scholarships will be awarded for their teen programmes, the dance conservatory and dance BFA programmes, as well as their acting, film and musical theatre programmes.
Elsubie will be the Premiere Agent for AMDA in South Africa. She says, “This is your season. If you work hard, do the preparation and perfect your craft, anything is possible.”
Adding to their already existing international panel, AMDA will be sending two celebrity adjudicators, Santana Trujillo and J. Elaine Marcos, to select deserving candidates for the scholarships. This is the first time the IATS will be awarding educational programmes for dancers.
Santana Trujillo graduated from AMDA with her BFA in Dance Theatre. She has performed and choreographed for several Royal Caribbean cruise ships. She owns Gayton Dance Studio in Colorado, USA and is the Dance Outreach Manager for AMDA.
J. Elaine Marcos is an AMDA alumna and 10 time Broadway Veteran known for her comedic timing. She starred as ‘Lily St. Regis’ in the Broadway revival of Annie. She also starred as ‘Cynthia’ in Priscilla Queen of the Desert which earned her an Astaire Award Nomination for Excellence in Dance. J.Elaine produces her own comedy blog ‘Motivational Mondays with V’ on YouTube.
IATS will also welcome back international guest judges Nate Butler (A&R for America's Got Talent and X-Factor), Blaze Johnson (The Voice Season 8) and Rhavynn Drummer (independent casting director for Tyler Perry Studio’s).
To add to an already stellar international line up, IATS will be flying in Kamey Butler, Global Brand Design Programs Head at Netlix. Kamey is the former Director of Commercial Print at Ford Models and Sr Creative Agent at Wilhemina.
This year’s showcase themed ‘My African Dream’, will celebrate the amazing talent coming out of Africa.
Elsubie adds, “We are super excited to announce that we have contestants from all nine provinces present at our 11th Annual ARTS Talent Showcase. This year’s caliber is high and we are ready to showcase our local talent to the world.”
This year’s showcase will also be broadcast on the Live Your Dream TV Show on VIA TV. Founded by Elsubie Verlinden, the show’s aim is to inspire young, new and aspiring talent to live out their unique dream.
Elsubie explains, “The program will be insightful, educational and inspirational. It will share the stories of hopeless dreamers that become victorious do'ers. Through years of experience, we have created platforms where creatives can launch their career paths both locally and internationally.”
Public tickets for The International ARTS Talent Showcase will be made available from 15 September.
Moreover, J. Elaine will be hosting an acting for film, theatre and dance workshop during her time here. The three hour workshop will be held at 33 & Me Talent Agency on 21 September with limited space available, due to regulations.
International is not impossible.
About International ARTS Talent Showcase (IATS)
The International ARTS Talent Showcase (IATS) is a national platform created for artists and models to showcase their talent in front of international talent scouts. The showcase focus on various faculties, including acting, singing, dancing, modeling and voice-over artists. The IATS is hosted annually at Silverstar Casino in Krugersdorp. Every year, producers Elsubie Verlinden and Elouise J van Rensburg travel from city to city in South Africa to scout the best local talent to perform at the showcase. This is not a competition. It’s a platform – its primary focus on arts education – which allows longevity in the marketplace. The showcase hosts some of America’s finest leading professionals scouting talent in South Africa.
About 33 & Me Talent Agency
Founded by industry professional, Elsubie Verlinden, 33 & Me Talent Agency has one goal in mind. That is to help all aspiring talent in the performing arts make their dreams a reality. 33 & Me manage a diverse group of talent including, actors, models, singers, dancers and voice-over artists. Together the team strive to empower and educate, ensuring that the talent they represent are of the highest caliber.
Models signed to 33 & Me have booked brands such as: Hugo Boss, NBA, Dolce & Gabbana and walked the runways of New York Fashion Week, LA Fashion Week, SA Fashion Week and Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Singers under Elsubie’s management have also made it through to the television rounds of American Idol, performed in the world-renowned Apollo Theatre and The Bitter End, as well as graced the theatres of New York as working artists.
About AMDA
For over 50 years, AMDA has launched some of the most successful careers in theatre, film and television. AMDA creates industry professionals who don't just wait for life to happen—they stage their own career path. Students will receive world-class training from a faculty of successful Broadway directors, choreographers, actors, film directors, TV producers and casting agents who are still working in entertainment.
AMDA was created by dynamic artists and educators at the forefront of their fields in Broadway, Shakespeare, Hollywood film, world-renowned dance, playwriting and academia. The college also offers core classes in voice, speech, movement, dance, and acting.
