Not enough opportunities are being given winners of talent shows to perform, says Richard Stoute, organizer of the Richard Stoute Teen Talent.Stoute said he was disappointed at what was taking place in the local entertainment industry.“Ninety-nine per cent of the entertainers in the island come through the Teen Talent competition, but when persons win competitions you do not hear about them again. There should be outlets for them to be employed gainfully in the hotel sector, or other avenues where persons can go to hear them perform,” the veteran entertainer argued.“We need to provide opportunities for talented people to make a living out of entertaining,” he said.Teen Talent, now in its 34th year, has undergone some changes, with the addition of the Over 21 competition. This year the Over 21 segment will be held within the Teen Talent competition where three to four people will compete at the end of each preliminary show. “Two persons per preliminary will then be selected to go through to the finals, which will be held after the Teen Talent finals,” Stoute said. The Over 21 section is open to anyone; and there is no age limit. Even past contestants can come back and be a part of the show – and entrants may include instrumentalists. The voice training workshops are in full swing, with participants meeting at the Clement Payne Centre. The training sessions continue each Thursday until the competition time next month. This year’s Teen Talent will be honouring Tamara Marshall, who competed in 1977. (LK)
