Transformative dance competition launched to inspire South African youth

Reach for the Stars is an inclusive dance competition that aims to inspire upcoming South African dancers across a multitude of styles, empower the youth to reach for the stars, and ultimately elevate their profile on the national and international dance stage. This premier dance event is a collaboration between the Institute for Applied Alchemy (IAA) which supports catalysts for positive change, and the event Founder, Desiree Angus, a renowned dancer, choreographer, and stagecraft expert.

South Africans aged 8 to 35 years who are looking for a platform to showcase their incredible dance talent are urged to enter the first-ever Reach for the Stars competition, taking place in the Western Cape and Central Karoo this year. This premier dancing competition aims to celebrate the country’s diverse dance talents, with the deadline for video submissions open from now until 11 April 2025.

From contemporary and hip-hop, to jazz and traditional, Reach for the Stars entrants can enter the competition using any dance style they are skilled in, or have been trained in, across the various age groups, in solo and group formats. The competition starts with video submissions and qualifiers hosted in the Western Cape and Central Karoo, followed by a 2-day finale in October. The overall prize winner will walk away with R20 000 in cash, and the inaugural Reach for the Stars title.

“At Reach for the Stars, we believe in pushing artistic boundaries and nurturing talent to shine on both local and international stages,” says Desiree Angus. “For over five decades, my passion has been to inspire dancers to grow, express, and excel. Seeing them flourish is the greatest reward, and this platform is dedicated to elevating their artistry beyond limits.”

Chantel Oppelt, Executive Director of IAA noted, “The transformative nature of Reach for the Stars dance competition allows the dancer to transcend and silence the external voices of limitation and transmute them, through their art, into the magnitude and magic of who they truly are.”

How the competition works

If you’re interested in honing and showcasing your dance talent, no matter the style of dance, then enter the Reach for the Stars competition!

Part 1: Submission

Submissions are open now until 11 April 2025, and dancers are called to submit videos no longer than 1 minute via the Reach for the Stars website: www.reachforthestars.africa. The competition’s organisers will also be visiting selected schools in the Western Cape and Central Karoo between February and March 2025 to showcase the Reach for the Stars competition. Reach for the Stars will have a Gala Event in April 2025 to announce the host school for the dance qualifiers.

Part 2: Registration

All approved submissions are then called on to register for the competition from 1 to 15 May 2025. This includes registration forms, indemnity forms, and competition registration payment.

Part 3: Qualifiers

Reach for the Stars will be hosting the qualifiers in the Western Cape and Central Karoo region between June and July 2025. The top 2 contestants from each age group and entry division will be selected by a panel of judges. There are also 2 ‘Shooting Star’ finalists who will be selected from across age groups and entry divisions.  

Part 4: Finale

In October 2025, Reach for the Stars will host the finale in Cape Town where finalists will compete for exciting prizes. All semi-finalists from the various qualifiers will compete for 1st place and a R10 000 cash prize in each age group, in both solo and group divisions. All winners then go on to be finalists and, on Day 2, compete against one another for the overall title and R20 000 cash prize.

Age Groups

Junior: 8 to 12 years

Youth: 13 to 17 years

Senior: 18 to 35 years

Entry Divisions

Solo

Duo | Trio | Quartet or Groups of min. of 6

Benefits of Reach for the Stars

• Dancers are encouraged to push their creative boundaries.
• Dancers of every background and genre are given a space to perform.
• The event fosters a supportive environment for growth.
• This is a safe space for dancers to experiment, refine skills, and discover their unique ‘voice’.
• The competition reignites the spark of creativity and self-expression.

In addition to the cash prizes for winners, there is also a unique element as part of the prize. The competition will give rise to a ‘Reach for the Stars Access Fund’ which will financially benefit marginalised dancers by assisting them to gain access to further dancing training and exposure.

Partnership Opportunities

Reach for the Stars is proudly sponsored by premium brands that share a commitment to empowering youth through the arts. There are many great partnership opportunities for innovative brands to ignite a passion for artistic expression that will last a lifetime.

The competition is also structured as a franchise model for other countries to purchase based on its appeal to merge identification with the development of talent and economic progression for youth.

To find out more about the Reach for the Stars competition or partnership opportunities, contact Chantel Oppelt at chantel@appliedalchemy.online or Desiree Angus at desiree@reachforthestars.africa.