Richard Stoute noted today he was intent on using his place in society to inspire teens to make a name for themselves in the entertainment industry.
And this year the Richard Stoute Teen Talent Contest 2013 is operating under the theme Against Domestic Violence.
Stoute explained that the theme reflected his goal is to educate women about how to carry and love themselves while avoiding relationships of violence. He said he hoped that this theme would bring more awareness to women and help them to make their lives “profitable”.
He added too that he hoped the song he wrote and recorded would be given more airplay now that the Crop- Over season, although his wish was that it would have been played more during the season.
“I do have tremendous respect for the ladies,” he said, adding that his wish was that people would see the importance of the song.
Meanwhile, Stoute pointed out that this year some changes would be made to the competition. Instead of him selecting a junior to compete with the seniors, now anybody from
the six to 12 category can advance to the semi-finals to compete against the seniors.
This, he added, was being done because he was very happy with the standard he had seen in the workshops with the six to 12 year old competitors.
Another change will be the location of the finals, which will this year be at The Party Stand instead of the usual Plantation Garden Theatre.
Stating that he believed “culture is one thing that would save us” from current economic challenges, Stoute pointed to the need for Barbados to have more venues in order to facilitate events as such his.
This years contest winner will be awarded $6,000, a trophy, a Barbados Community College scholarship, a weekend for two at Bougainvillea Hotel, a benefit concert and television appearances. All shows start at 7 p m. (CJ)