NWU brings first-years concert back to the stage!
The North-West University (NWU) Potchefstroom campus has held the first-years art showcase, previously known as the first-years concert. This is the first concert by first-year students since 2020. The showcase event took place on the 4th and 5th of March 2022, with 27 hostels participating.
threestreamsmedia interviewed Eliska Wentzel (23), NWU marketing management honours student and head of the Student Campus Council (SCC) arts portfolio, about the first-years concert and other art events that will be taking place later this year.
How does it feel to be responsible for making the first first-years concert happen after two years?
I am incredibly proud of my team who each worked so hard to make the production a success! I can look back with a reassuring heart and I am extremely proud of what we have put on stage!
What were the biggest challenges your team had to overcome?
The showcase is usually presented in the Sanlam Auditorium but due to unforeseen circumstances we had to move it to the Totius Memorial Hall. Technically it is a much harder venue to prepare for, but with the help of the amazing team at PUK Arts we were able to ensure that it was still a top quality production! Furthermore, of course, we also had to consider Covid-19 restrictions which means that the players were not allowed to touch one other on stage. The showcase also took place during classes this year and not during the R&O period as usual, so the academic pressure that both my team and participants experienced was quite significant.
Why wasn’t the showcase held in the auditorium, where it is usually hosted?
The space frame [the space above the stage where lighting and sound systems operate] in the auditorium has been declared unsafe and is still in the process of being repaired. It just would not have been fixed in time for the showcase, so then we had to move to the Totius. But we upgraded the Totius, we redid the wings, bought new lights and made internet available that we used for live streaming the event.
Who were the judges?
Revan Luüs, Christopher van der Westhuizen, Yvonne Weideman, Felicia Mrwebi, Arno Marais, Jean de Villiers and Brian Kenneth, all professional actors, singers and dancers within the industry.
When will the results be announced?
Results will be announced on Wednesday, 9 March at 13:00.
Have you had any feedback from the other students?
I have only had positive feedback thus far! Students were very impressed with the quality of the concerts that the residences put on the stage.
What are your prospects for arts after the NWU’s first arts showcase?
I’m excited for the rest of the term ahead for the arts council. I think we have set the bar high and believe that the rest of the term will be just as big a success as the showcase!
When will the next art event be taking place?
The next event, which is Canvas, will be taking place on the 15th of March. The theme is “peaceful chaos”.
