The festival will take place on 12 and 13 November and is hosted by Sibikwa Arts Centre in Benoni. The judges for the competition include veteran director, playwright and cultural activist Robert Mclaren, celebrated actress, writer and producer Motshabi Tyelele and acclaimed actor, playwright and director Gamakhulu Diniso.
“It is a wonderful showcase for the raw talent that we have in this country. A place where our future stars can be uncovered and nurtured,” said festival manager, Tonderai Chiyindiko.
The country’s top theatre groups will square up to see whether they have what it takes to call themselves the greatest in Southern Africa.
The festival is premised as a 'Best of the Best' because it will attract the cream of community theatre groups from all over South Africa as well as within the SADC region. The festival will provide a platform for cross-country engagement as well as the promotion of best practices in applied and community theatre practice.
Audiences are invited to come in their numbers over the two days to sample and enjoy the best of Southern African theatre.
“I think we can expect some top quality productions this year, and whichever theatre group comes out on top has certainly earned the right to call themselves the best of the best,” Chiyindiko said.
To be eligible for entry into the festival, drama groups must:
- have won a prize or received special mention in certain drama competitions with the play they wish to present
- send a clip of the play on DVD for consideration,
- fill out an entry form,
- send a full group profile including number of people in the group, plus all contact details.
- present a play that has won a prize in the 2010-2011 year
-send a full Technical Rider of the play as well as all stage/lighting requirements
The prizes are as follows:
1
st Prize- R10 000
2
nd Prize- R5 000
3
rd Prize- R3 000
Most Promising Group- R1 000
For enquiries and more information please contact: festival manager Tonderai Chiyindiko.
Phone- (011) 422 2132/ (011) 422 4359; Fax- (011) 421 2346; email-
[email protected]