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Newry Musical Feis has launched a new £1000 bursary competition aimed at discovering and supporting young drama talent from the area who are looking to pursue professional careers in acting, musical theatre or drama education.
The Young Drama Performer of the Year competition (Class 155) is open to students aged between 16 and 28 years, with entries closing on Sunday, 15 February.
Entry to the competition is made through the entry system on the feis website at newrymusicalfeis.com, with a non-refundable application fee of £15. Applicants must also submit an artist bio of no more than 250 words and a short cover letter outlining what they would do with the prize money if they won. All performers will be contacted after entries close on 15 February with details of where to send their cover letter, artist bio and videoed performance.
The competition comprises two stages. The first round requires a video submission featuring a monologue from a play of the applicant's choice, running between four and six minutes. Videos must be unedited and recorded in one take with no studio effects or enhancements, with the performer clearly visible at all times. Acceptable formats include MP4, MOV and AVI. All video submissions must be received by 1 March.
Adjudicators will select performers from the first round applications to compete in the final round, which will take place during the week commencing 27 April. Finalists will perform two contrasting pieces: the monologue from their first round video submission and a poem or prose piece not exceeding three minutes. A spoken introduction is required to introduce both pieces, which must be performed from memory.
Performers not adhering to the stated time limits in either round will be penalised. Minimal props and costumes are allowed but marks will not be given for them, and no recorded sound effects or music can be used. Feedback will be provided to all finalists.
The £1,000 bursary is to be used by the winner to advance their professional career in the performing arts.
