The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Kingston & St. Andrew Parish Office, an agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport will be hosting several community auditions for its Big Stage Competition across Kingston & St. Andrew. The winners from the competition will have the opportunity to be part of the parish’s Independence Festival activities for Jamaica 55.

The first Big Stage audition kicks off on Friday, June 23 at the Olympic Gardens Civic Centre, then on Saturday, June 24 at African Garden Square, August Town. On Friday, June 30, it will be at the McGregor Gully Community Centre, Langston Terrace, Vineyard Town followed by Saturday July 1 at Hamilton Plaza, Red Hills Square. The Auditions continue on Friday, July 7 at Trench Town Community Centre, then on Saturday, July 8 at Standpipe Turf, Liguanea and Saturday, July 15 at the Duhaney Park Community Centre.

This Big Stage Competition will provide a meaningful opportunity particularly to unattached youth in rural and inner-city communities to hone their talents and be exposed.  It will also provide clean, fun and wholesome entertainment for the entire family.

According to Paulette Sutherland, Parish Manager, JCDC Kingston & St. Andrew “the JCDC continues to fulfill its mandate of unearthing, developing and showcasing the creative talent of the Jamaican people through the various competition such as the Big Stage Competition. She stated that as part of the competition a development workshop is schedule for Tuesday, July 18 to improve the finalists’ talents in areas such as stage presence, microphone techniques, presentation, audience interaction and general delivery”.

Sutherland also noted that there are cash awards, trophies and other incentives for the top three winners. She also stated that a new aspect of the competition this year is that the winners at each auditions will receive a cash award.

The Big Stage Competition, has evolved from the JCDC Popular Cultural Expressions/Pop and Variety Contest and Star Search competitions seeks to identify, promote and train talents in the areas of: Dance, Singing, Dee Jay, Stand-up Comedy, Novelty Acts, Magic/Conjuring, Signing and Miming. The competition is opened to Jamaicans ages eighteen (18) years and over for both male and female.

The competition is sponsored by Cal’s Manufacturing, Real Vibes Party Wine and Jamaica Biscuit Company with the grand final set for Mandela Park in Half Way Tree on Friday, July 28, 2107. Admission is free.

Entry forms and other details for the competition can be access from the JCDC website at www.jcdc.gov.jm, its social media pages, the Head Office at 3-5 Phoenix Avenue in Kingston or the Kingston & St. Andrew Parish Office, 36 Hope Road, Kingston 10 or Tele: 960- 7725.