A performing arts summer programme aimed at students and young adults is holding auditions this weekend.Tha auditions for the Makeda Trust summer programme take place at CedarBridge Academy tomorrow and on Sunday from 2pm to 4pm.They are open to residents between the ages of 11 and 23.Tameka Richardson and Abimbola “Bim” Bademosi talked to The Royal Gazette about the many different facets of the programme and what they were looking for during the weekend’s auditions.“These are for instrumentalists, actors, singers, dancers, the technical crew, which includes those involved in light engineering, sound engineering, audio visual, set design, stage construction trussing and rigging, set up and breakdown stage management, costumes and makeup,” said Mr Bademosi.He said they were looking for a variety of musicians.“We are looking for string players, violin, viola, cello, double base, brass players include trumpet, trombone, saxophone, flute and a few woodwind instrumentalists and for a conventional band, drummers, percussionists, guitarists, bass guitarists, keyboardists.“The musicians have to be of a certain standard, we cannot accept novice musicians. They have to be [the equivalent] of Grade 1 or Grade 2 even if they haven’t taken a test.”The long-term goal of the Makeda Trust is to establish a performance arts high school, specifically for underprivileged youngsters.In January, Mrs Richardson and Mr Bademosi began a pilot programme at CedarBridge Academy and Sandys Secondary Middle School, but they have found that there is also an interest amongst the private schools.“Right now there is a void in performing arts’ offerings, period, particularly quality programmes at the middle and high school levels,” said Mrs RichardsonMrs Richardson said the programmes may help to reduce violence among young people.“So our view is that a lot of the violence that we are seeing has to do with a lot of negative as opposed to positive outlets for our young people,” she said.The trust has partnered with Sandys 360 Sport, Aquatic and Enrichment Centre, as a way of increasing leadership through the arts.The summer workshops will run from July 4 until September 1 from 9am 3pm daily. All programmes will take place at CedarBridge Academy.All of the workshops will then culminate into ‘The Show’, a production anticipated to run September 2 through 4 at Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts.Show times will be announced later. For more information telephone 234-9333 or 234-9334, e-mail tapat[AT]theacademy.bm or visit www.makedatrust.org.Tuition for the summer programme is $200 per week.