In the vibrant world of performing arts, competitions serve as a crucial platform for emerging talent. These events provide artists with opportunities to showcase their skills, gain exposure, and potentially launch their careers. Let’s delve into the inspiring journey of a performing artist who recently entered in a prestigious competition.
Meet Noluthando Shandu a rising star, a 23-year-old actor from Durban, South Africa, has always dreamed of making it big in the entertainment industry. Her passion for the arts began at an early age, and she honed her talents through local theater productions and community events.
“Performing arts has always been a part of my life. For example when I was in primary school there was this lady, Aunty Cebi, she would gather us at her backyard and teach us choreography from Sarafina Production, I loved it so much id literally run to her house after school.” Says Noluthando.
The young performing artist says that her career busted when she was in high school when an NPO called ARROWSA in which it gives young artists and actors a chance to showcase their talents and that’s when she got the chance to show them her flames in the creative spaces.
From there she kept on competing and acting, up until she entered the African monologue challenge which is an acting competition, Noluthando was lucky enough to be selected as one of the top 20 finalists who will be competing in Uganda between May-June.
Noluthando's breakthrough is yet to come as she has had an opportunity to work with big companies like Umkhokha the Curse, Sibongile and The Dlamini's and there is another Netflix series that is in the process of production.
Like many other aspiring artists Noluthando has faced her hurdles along the way but that hasn’t stopped her from going, she continues to set her bars high.
Noluthando finds it easy to work within a theme because she learned it from the African Monologue Competition, where she was given themes and briefs to create monologues related to those themes. This allowed her to be more creative and would result in her creating anything that came to her naturally.
MONDAY MAGAZINE
Story from Noluthando
Interviewed by Ntombizodwa Dlamini
Digital Covers by Monday Magazine
South Africa, 2024
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