How the Royal South Street Eisteddfod inspires your inner performing artist
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If you’re an aspiring Australian artist, you may want to add the Royal South Street Eisteddfod to your 2019 agenda.
From its humble beginnings in 1879 as the Young Men’s General Debating Society, this annual Ballarat-based event has grown to become one of the largest and the longest running performing arts eisteddfods in Australia. If you’ve got a hidden talent, this is definitely your chance to flaunt it.
As committed as ever to promoting, fostering and encouraging participation and interest in the performing arts, Royal South Street Society’s Chief Executive Officer Brett Macdonald says that the RSSS is a wonderful experience on a number of different levels.
“The eisteddfod builds skills, confidence, teamwork and resilience. It also promotes significant health and wellbeing values, and showcases creativity, education and fitness,” Mr Macdonald said.
From increasing self-esteem, to helping to enhance performance skills, the Royal South Street eisteddfod benefits entrants of all ages, from young kids to teens, and adults, too. Committed to fostering an environment that supports all of its performers, the core values of RSSS are respect, diversity, honesty, and integrity.
Creating a truly all-inclusive atmosphere, one that promotes constructive competition, the local event is about more than just entertainment, it also provides ample opportunities for personal growth, for all who wish to be involved.
“RSSS is also an inclusive event, offering ‘The Arts for All’, a dedicated section for people living with a disability,” Mr Macdonald said.
While other performing arts competitions focus in on niche disciplines, the RSSS caters to all kinds of performers by providing a range of diverse competitions, including segments such as: Choral Contest, Contemporary Vocal, Energetiks Dance Competition, Instrumental Solos, and Speech and Drama, to name only a few.
“RSSS is a truly unique eisteddfod, based on the variety of disciplines it offers (all 13), and the 100-day span it takes to get all competitors across our stages,” Mr Macdonald said.
Not only will entrants have the opportunity to perfect their performance skills, they will also have the unique opportunity to do it in style, at locales that bring out the performer in us all. This year the Eisteddfod will be held at seven different venues, including ACU Aquinas Campus, Anglican Diocesan Centre, Art Gallery of Ballarat, Miners Tavern, RACV Goldfields Resort, Helen MacPherson Smith Theatre at Fed Uni, and, of course, Her Majesty’s Theatre.
The latter cultural icon, considered the home of Ballarat’s performing arts, was unfortunately unable to host competitions during the 2018 event. But this year’s performers can rest assured knowing that Australia’s best preserved theatre will be officially reopened for show business, well in time for the eisteddfod.
“RSSS will excitedly be returning to her Majesty’s Theatre in 2019, after a year out due to heritage and safety works. Her Maj is our ‘unfair advantage’, offering a truly unique performing arts experience on the famous raked stage,” Mr Macdonald said.
This year the team at the Royal South Street Society have planned almost 100 days of continuous competition, running from July 29 to November 2. If you’ve always dreamt of unleashing your inner performer, or know someone who has what it takes to wow a crowd, now is the time to get ready to shine.
Entries for the Royal South Street Eisteddfod will open on Monday, March 18, 2019. For more information on the event and how to enter, visit royalsouthstreet.com.au
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