Local communities across Johannesburg recently came together to celebrate the talent of South Africa’s youth in a performing arts event known as Born to Perform: The Future Takes the Stage. In support of the community-run event, Stage Audio Works (SAW) stepped up to sponsor a PA system, conceived of gear from its group brand, Plus Audio. Freelance sound engineer Joshua Deetleefs oversaw sound checks and front-of-house operations.

Taking place across September 27th and 28th, Born to Perform required the installation of a custom sound system inside the Teatro, Montecasino. It needed to support a dynamic blend of traditional and contemporary audio throughout the weekend and adapt to a range of performance styles. “Born to Perform is not just a show,” says Garrick van der Tuin, Technical and Application Support Engineer for SAW. “It’s a vibrant celebration of youth, creativity, and cultural unity, showcasing extraordinary young performers from across the country.” Soul-stirring vocals, electrifying choreography, and original compositions were all part of the program, making audio clarity and coverage essential.

Building on the success of the 2019 production, the 2025 edition of Born to Perform promised to be even more spectacular. To bring the show to life, SAW sponsored the event with a Plus Audio solution. “We designed and installed a Plus Audio FS system, marking the first field deployment of this new series,” explains van der Tuin. Plus Audio offers a mid-range, high-performance audio solution that has already proven itself on several international-level events.

The main PA system featured six FS210 loudspeakers flown on either side of the stage, supported by two FS219 ground-stacked subwoofers engineered for low-frequency performance and reliability. A centre cluster of four FS212 loudspeakers provided high-powered reinforcement, while four ET110 loudspeakers served as front fills to ensure balanced, dynamic coverage. Under the balcony, the newest additions to the FS Series – the FS1B and FS1C column arrays – provided additional coverage in hard-to-reach areas.

“The column arrays are neatly tucked into the unused boxes in the stalls,” van der Tuin adds. “They provide coverage for the seating area beneath the balcony – particularly the outer seats, extending to the back rows and the front of house.” Amplification was provided by Plus Audio AC8 and AC12 units, delivering finely tuned sound across multiple configurations.

Most inputs and outputs were distributed over a Dante network, including Sennheiser wireless microphones, with a Yamaha TIO unit managing the inputs for the drum kit, keyboard, guitars, and onstage monitors. SAW also provided a Yamaha DM7 mixing console for high-end mixing of the event.

“Contributing our expertise and Plus Audio equipment to this event, which supports and gives a platform to young people in our community, is a demonstration of our core values of empowering our community in practice,” continues van der Tuin. “Given the positive impact this event made on many young people and the fantastic feedback we’ve received, we’re very proud of what we collectively achieved at Born to Perform.”

For the audience, the result was an unforgettable listening experience that matched the performers’ passion. For the young artists, it was a chance to discover the power of their voices and instruments carried across a world-class venue. Born to Perform offered more than just a weekend of entertainment – it was a truly inspirational opportunity for young people to connect, collaborate, and step outside their comfort zones, with Stage Audio Works’ expertise and Plus Audio technology ensuring their talent was heard at its best.

For more information, please visit:

https://www.plus.audio/

https://www.stageaudioworks.com/