This spring the Young Ambassadors will travel to South Africa, Botswana, and Swaziland for a three-week performance tour. For their first visit to these countries since 1998, the Young Ambassadors will feature their newest song-and-dance show, Harmony: The Music of Life. With performances in major cities in like Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town in South Africa and Gaborone in Botswana and Mbabane in Swaziland, the Young Ambassadors will have a full tour itinerary.
For technical crew member Savannah Bassett, this tour will be a trip home. After living in Johannesburg for 16 years, Bassett is eagerly anticipating the upcoming tour. More than just seeing family and friends, Bassett is looking forward to sharing South Africa with the Young Ambassadors. “I’m excited to show everyone the cultures and diversity of my home through visits to the wildlife reserves and cultural museums. It will be a new experience for everyone.”
While the performers will have time to explore the shops and historic locations of the cities they visit, their real cultural interactions will take place during special workshops. While in Johannesburg there will be a workshop with the talented students of Market Theatre, and the University of Johannesburg will host a workshop for their drama, dance, and music students. Exchanges will also be held at the Durban University (a Zulu dance exchange) and Cape Town’s Stellenbosh University Performing Arts Studio.
Along with these cultural exchanges, the Young Ambassadors will have the opportunity to perform while in Pretoria for a select group of international ambassadors.
“As Young Ambassadors we have the opportunity to be representatives, to truly be ambassadors,” said Brad Robins, president of the Young Ambassadors. “We always travel and perform under the name Brigham Young University and, during international performances like this Southern Africa tour, we also carry the name of the United States. I’m proud to be able to represent both the university and the nation.”
Yet besides the delight of connecting with audiences and leaders, the Young Ambassadors also set aside time to brighten the days of those who are often easily overlooked and forgotten.
“I’m hoping that during this tour we can help many less fortunate people in the townships and shelters,” said Bassett. A large part of Young Ambassadors has always been service and outreach, and I’m thrilled we can bring that to my home and leave an impression on those who we meet.”
The Young Ambassadors have planned several such service opportunities and collaborations with community outreach programs, desiring to touch hearts and lives through personal interaction. While in Roodepoort, South Africa, the Young Ambassadors have a special opportunity to spend an afternoon at the Sparrow’s Nest AIDS Village, a home for children affected by AIDS. The group will perform a few numbers for the children then play games and hand out sweet packs–and they will also supply books for the organization.
Regardless of where or for whom they are performing in Southern Africa, the Young Ambassadors will work to make each performance and service opportunity meaningful. Said Robins, “We are going to build bridges with the people and cultures of Southern Africa. We’re going not only share what we have to offer but experience what they have to teach us as well.”
Source: Performing Arts Management