NSAL Florida East Coast Chapter Seeks Actors And Singers For Competitions

The National Society of Arts and Letters has discovered an array of stars including actress Shirley MacLaine, opera singer Jessye Norman, Broadway great Megan Hilty. Now, the Florida East Coast Chapter, (including the Keys to Orlando) is seeking dramatic actors and operatic singers to compete for their moment in the spotlight! Applications for The National Drama Competition and the Dorothy Lincoln-Smith Competition are now open at www.nsalfloridaeast.org.

"NSAL is an amazing organization that champions young performers through scholarships, competitions and mentoring," explained Judi Asselta, President. "Throughout the year, we offer a variety of opportunities for our local emerging stars to be noticed by acclaimed artists, win monetary awards and advance to national competitions, which have been the springboard to success for many famous performers."

NSAL Florida East Coast Chapter has added to the list of international notables by discovering opera singer Nadine Sierra, an NSAL local and national winner in 2008. Raised in Fort Lauderdale, Sierra has gone on to global acclaim with innumerable standing ovations at famed houses including La Scala and The Met. This local chapter also discovered opera singer, Jeffrey Buchman, National First Place winner in 1997 who has gone on to be one of the country's premier operatic directors.

"It was particularly thrilling for us in 2011, when Jeffrey directed Nadine in her premiere performance as Gilda in Rigoletto at the Florida Grand Opera to rave reviews for both. Now, we are seeking our next discoveries," continued Asselta. "Operatically trained young performers between the ages of 23-31 should apply for the Dorothy Lincoln-Smith Competition and aspiring actors between 18 and 28, should apply for our National Drama Competition."

While the Dorothy Lincoln-Smith competition process is conducted via video submission, applicants for the dramatic competition will showcase their talent at the Crest Theatre in Delray Beach on March 9, 2019. The winner will receive a $2,000 first prize and all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. for the National Competition which will award a $12,000 first prize. Judges for the local competition include noted theatre professionals Jeffrey Bruce, Barbara Bradshaw, Sue Ellen Beryl and Gail Garrison. The event is free and open to the public.

"We have a tremendous amount of talented young actors in South Florida," said competition co-chair, Joy Banton. "This is an exciting opportunity for an aspiring dramatic artist to showcase their ability to move an audience at a career-expanding competition."

Jose Luaces, the NSAL Florida East Coast Chapter winner in 2009, in the acting category, has gone on to have a successful career acting in plays nationwide and on Broadway.

The Cultural Advisory Council for the NSAL Florida East Coast Chapter is comprised of a distinguished list of over 50 Florida arts leaders.

Application deadline for the Dorothy Lincoln-Smith competition is February 15, 2019 and the deadline for the National Drama Competition is February 22, 2019. NSAL Florida East Coast also offers other scholarship opportunities. For more information please visit www.nsalfloridaeast.org

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