Call for applications: Zwakala Festival in SA

The programme, which is part of the Market Theatre's Zwakala Festival, seeks to improve the skills of musical directors, writers, directors, designers and actors. It is also intended to empower them to create and produce high-standard local content.

Applications can be delivered to Lusanda Zokufa at the following address:

The Market Theatre
56 Margaret Mcingana Street
Newtown
Johannesburg.

Applications can also be emailed to Sipho Mwale at siphom@markettheatre.co.za.

The submission deadline is 30 September.

“The next generation of community arts leaders, arts entrepreneurs and administrators are trained and exposed to both the creative and practical sides of producing a professional theatre production,” the Market Theatre Foundation said. “Group leaders (usually writers and directors) receive specialised training and resources to improve the quality of their work and their leadership, ultimately benefiting the entire group.

“The incubation programme, funded by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, aims to help emerging practitioners hone their skills through mentorship and propel them from amateur to professional status. The process also puts a strong emphasis on homegrown content with the aim of generating exciting new productions for the theatregoing public.”

Eligibility

To be considered for the programme, applicants should:

• Be residing in Gauteng province.
• Be between 18 and 35 years old.
• Be full-time theatre practitioners who will be able to commit themselves to a demanding schedule from 1 September 2019 to 8 March 2020.

Requirements

Should your community theatre group meet the above eligibility criteria, the following needs to be submitted for the application to be evaluated:

• A duly completed showcase application form (get it from Market Theatre).
• Certified ID copies of the creative team (director and author).
• 100-word biographies of the writer and director.
• Artistic treatment of the proposed play.
• One scene from the proposed play.

Important dates

When applying, groups must ensure that they are available on the following dates and activities:

• Production Identifying Phase: September and October 2019.
• Mentoring 8 Productions: 2 to 22 November 2019.
• Kolapeng Showcases: 23 and 24 November 2019.
• Zwakala Conversation: 26 to 29 November 2019.
• Zwakala Story Development and Design: 6 January to 6 February 2020.
• Zwakala Festival Technical: 7 Feb 2020 (during the day).
• Zwakala Opening Ceremony: 7 February 2020 (in the evening).
• Zwakala Festival: 8 and 9 February 2020.
• Zwakala Winner Rehearsals: 10 February to 15 February 2020.
• Zwakala Winner Get: 17 February 2020.
• Zwakala Winner Preview: 18 February 2020.
• Zwakala Winner Opening: 19 February 2020.
• Zwakala Winner Run: 20 February to 8 March 2020.