"I started thinking really critically about our current programme and profile when I took up the role of manager of performing arts at the University of Johannesburg earlier this year in May," says Meadows. "When Ashraf joined us as head of Arts & Culture in August he came in with some strong ideas about where we should be heading. I think this will become clearer when we announce our programme for next year but in the meantime we already have a fierce programme lined-up for the remainder of 2011," she explains.

Leaping onto Main Theatre stage at the beginning of October is the UJ Dance Company production of Alice who? This ain’t wonderland directed and choreographed by Owen Lonzar; a compelling and entertaining all-dance theatre production featuring a range of popular dance styles with music from all genres. "This is the craziest and most challenging production I have tackled to date and realising my boldest concept to date would not have been possible without the hands-on approach and support of Ashraf and Grace," says Lonzar who has been the resident choreographer of the UJ Arts Academy and the director of the UJ Dance Company since 2008.

Speaking about the current programme Johaardien comments that only three UJ productions are staged annually on the Kingsway Campus. By utilising resources more creatively he plans to more than triple that number next year. "Given the calibre of the work Owen has done with the cast and the creative team onAlice who? This ain’t wonderland, the bar has been set very high. Without compromising on production values and the quality of the hands-on practical training we are able to offer our students, I am hoping to produce ten productions including drama, dance, applied theatre and musical theatre across all four of campuses," Johaardien says.

Johaardien and Meadows have also put their heads together to produce an ambitious series of five consecutive staged readings in collaboration with the Artscape New Writing Progamme called Reading Gay will be coordinated by UJ Resident Director Alby Micheals. Young directors Jade Bowers, Motlatji Ditodi, Neels Clasen and Jacques Bessenger join Michaels to tackle this project which includes all the plays from the Dublin Artscape Gay Plays as published by Junkets publisher.

Alice who? This ain’t wonderland opens at the Main Theatre of the UJ Arts Centre on the Kingsway Campus and Reading Gay kicks off on 26 October at the Con Cowan Theatre on the Bunting Road Campus. Tickets are available through Computicket. For more information, go to www.uj.ac.za/artscentre.