July has been a good month for Zimbabwe as it is winning on various fronts.
From the national soccer team winning the COSAFA Cup, to the cricket team sealing a historic ODI win over Sri Lanka and in the arts, Team Zimbabwe scooping 26 medals, and several scholarships at the just ended World Championships for Performing Arts (WCOPA) held in Hollywood.
A young team of eight multi-disciplinary artists who were selected during auditions that stretched from last year and ended earlier this year represented the country at the biggest talent contest in the world.
The team of instrumentalists, models, actors, actresses was in the United States of America from the June 25 to July 9, 2017.
Talia Chonyera (age 11) took one silver, one bronze and Yolanda Chimbarami (age 19) won one gold in the modeling category.
In the acting and drama categories Hazel Cheuka (age 13) won two gold medals, two silver medals and one overall gold for acting.
Actress Kelly Midlane aged 17 scooped three gold, three silver, one industry award, two scholarships aand three overall best in comical, dramatic and TV awards.
Still in the acting category, Thulani Nzonzo (age 18) clinched four silver one industry award, and one scholarship, while Daniel Lasker (age 18) got two bronze, one industry award, and two scholarships.
Kelly, Thulani and Daniel received scholarships from New York Film Academy and New York Conservatory Dramatic Art.
An ecstatic Daniel could not hide his joy after winning saying, “The World Championships was a life-changing experience, in more than one way.
“Being in an environment full of other like-minded, passionate and talented people who share the same dreams and goals, is indescribable.
“Not only am I leaving the championships with a handful of medals and two scholarships to some of the most prestigious acting schools in the world, but I am also leaving with a lifetime supply of beautiful memories and a whole new set of relationships, built with people who I am now proud to call my friends.”
Thulani Nzonzo who took part in the acting and drama categories had this to say, “Being at WCOPA this year has been an incredible, incomparable and near life-changing experience! It has been beyond eye-opening to work in Hollywood, learning how to work in a fast paced environment and doing your best to stay afloat, as an individual.
” I faced many trials and tribulations, in terms of working on my skills and abilities as a performer, personal relationships with people around me and ultimately, who I am and what it means to be me.”
He added on saying,” I enjoyed very practical and hands-on lessons on drama and acting technique during various workshops and performing in front of an international audience and had a wonderful time making new friends from all over the world.”
In the spirit of a determined fighter, Tarisai can’t wait to get home, practice more and prepare for another attempt next year and hopes to bring gold.
Despite failing to get any medals, Tarisai Bvumbi, a self-taught pianist delivered an outstanding performance and impressed the audience and still believes the experience was a lifetime opportunity that has impacted on his musical ambition.
Alisa Adams, a model also did well but could not secure a win.
The head of the Zimbabwean delegation and the national director of the Zimbabwe Championships of Performing Arts (ZICOPA) the local chapter, Jessica Nyarayi Tandy spoke to Zimbo Jam from Doha whilst in transit.
“2017 saw us double the nnumber of contestants participating at WCOPA. The first two days were designed to be educational, exposing the children to Hollywood, its rich entertainment history and visited places like Universal.
“They got to see how movies are made, visited the soundstages and they got to understand the mechanics behind movie making and the sets,” said Tandy.
“When the competition started we had very focused contestants who put in a lot of work preparing for the championships and their work paid off, being awarded the industry awards and scholarships. I am overwhelmed since the programme connects well to our vision at ZICOPA to educate,” she added.
Its impressive how the contestants made a sterling performance despite the failure by 20 other finalists who could not travel owing to financial challenges.
Last year Zimbabwe’s debut participation with a team of four participants saw talented guitarist Sylent Nqo, beatboxer Probeatz and model Timothy Hogo bringing back home 15 medals collectively.
The World Championships of Performing Arts is an international performing arts talent competition and educational held annually in Hollywood, USA and has been running for 21 years and highly regarded as the Olympics of arts.
