Difference between revisions of "Artscape"

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The Artscape Theatre Centre, which belongs to the provincial administration, was opened on 19 May 1971 as the [[CAPAB|Nico Malan Theatre Centre]]. In line with the new South African political dispensation and the concurrent changes the complex was renamed to '''Artscape''' in March 2001.
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'''NEEDS EXPANSION AND EDITING'''
  
Historically the [[CAPAB|Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB)]] was instituted in the early sixties of the twentieth century. The aim was to promote the performing arts. The arts councils received sufficient government subsidies to fund various art forms as well as the operational requirements of the theatre facilities.
 
  
CAPAB programmed and managed the Nico Malan Theatre Centre as a production house with four arts companies – orchestra, opera, ballet and drama. These companies had full-time artistes, technical and administrative staff.
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== Background ==
  
Since 1994 government policy changed dramatically. All performing arts boards were transformed to playhouses and the various arts companies had to become independent. Artscape was launched on 27 March 1999 to replace CAPAB. Today it manages the theatre venues and provides essential technical and specialised services on a semi-commercial basis. The emphasis is on sustainable theatre practice, education and development.
 
One-Stop-Shop of Creative Excellence
 
BETWEEN Table Mountain and Table Bay, the City of Cape Town boasts a cosmopolitan mix of historic and modern landmarks. One of these is the Artscape Theatre Centre on the Foreshore, home to the Artscape performing arts company.
 
  
Originally established 40 years ago as the official performing arts council for the Western Cape, Artscape has today developed into a vibrant, multi-functional creative arts centre, offering exceptional venue facilities and specialist theatrical services.
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Historically the [[CAPAB|Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB)]] was instituted in the early sixties of the twentieth century to promote the performing arts in the Cape Province. The arts councils received sufficient government subsidies to fund various art forms as well as the operational requirements of the theatre facilities. [[CAPAB]] toured the province and programmed and managed the [[Nico Malan Theatre Centre]] as a production house with four arts companies – orchestra, opera, ballet and drama. These companies had full-time artistes, technical and administrative staff.
  
With its close proximity to Cape Town's central business district, the new International Convention Centre and the V & A Waterfront, Artscape is ideally situated to serve the Cape's performing arts, film, tourism, entertainment, conference and exhibition industries.
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Notes on the history from the Artscape Theatre Centre website[http://www.artscape.co.za/history/]:
  
Covering an area of some 14 000 square meters, the Artscape complex consists of a fully equipped Opera House, seating 1 487, a theatre seating 540, a smaller theatre seating 140, a piazza, gardens, rehearsal rooms and ample parking.  
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Artscape Theatre Centre, which belongs to the provincial administration, was opened on 19 May 1971 as the Nico Malan Theatre Centre. Inline with the new South African political dispensation and the concurrent changes the complex was renamed to Artscape in March 2001.
  
The Centre offers a full range of technical services, including a vast array of lighting and sound equipment and operators, stage and production managers to ensure a seamless support service to users of the venues.
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Historically the Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) was instituted in the early sixties of the twentieth century. The aim was to promote the performing arts. The arts councils received sufficient government subsidies to fund various art forms as well as the operational requirements of the theatre facilities.
  
Through the years, Artscape has developed a top notch team of wardrobe experts consisting of designers, seamstresses, milliner, wig maker and costume artist. Its costume hiring department is the best in South Africa, with a choice of no less than 30 000 items of period and contemporary garments on offer.
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CAPAB programmed and managed the [[Nico Malan Theatre Centre]] as a production house with four arts companies – orchestra, opera, ballet, and drama. These companies had full-time artists, technical and administrative staff.
  
Artscape also has a décor studio located at a separate warehousing facility of some 12 000 square meters. The manufacturing services team consists of highly experienced set and scenic designers, carpenters, welders, painters and prop makers.
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Since 1994 government policy changed dramatically. All performing arts boards were transformed to playhouses and the various arts companies had to become independent. In 1997 the CAPAB staged its last play, ''[[The Guise]]'', by David Mowat. It was staged as an ode to the closing down of CAPAB and the major theme of the play was the survival of theatre.
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Artscape was launched on 27 March 1999 to replace CAPAB. Today it manages the theatre venues and provides essential technical and specialised services on a semi-commercial basis. The emphasis is on sustainable theatre practice, education and development.
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== Founding of ''Artscape'' ==
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Since 1994 government policy changed dramatically. All performing arts boards were transformed to playhouses and the various arts companies had to become independent. Because of the immense political baggage carried by CAPAB, and more especially the Nico Malan Theatre (which had opened - to loud protest - in 1971 "for whites only" and had long been boycotted) the decision was made to change the name of the complex and its managing company. Thus '''Artscape''' was launched on 27 March 1999 to replace the old [[Cape Performing Arts Board]] (CAPAB).
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== The [[Artscape Theatre Centre]] ==
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Soon after, in view of the history and in line with the new South African political dispensation and the concurrent changes,  the old '''[[Nico Malan Theatre Centre]]''' was renamed  also '''[[Artscape]]''' in March 2001.
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Today '''[[Artscape]]''' manages the theatre venues of the '''[[Artscape Theatre Centre]]''' (sometimes called the '''[[Artscape Theatre Complex]]''' by journalists and writers) and provides essential technical and specialised services on a semi-commercial basis. The emphasis is on sustainable theatre practice, education and development.
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== Departments and Programmes ==
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=== Artscape Indigenous Arts Department ===
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Established in 2007, it aims to develop, mentor and preserve South African indigenous customs through the arts . With this comes the responsibility to affirm, by providing platforms for art forms, cultures and languages that have been previously marginalised. And all the while, artistic excellence remains at the core of development. Productions include *** ''[[Children of the Mist]]'' (2010)
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=== Artscape New Writing Programme ===
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A programme that supports new and established playwrights on an annual basis through a range of activities including workshops, stage readings and full scale productions. Originally launched by [[Roy Sargeant]] in 2005 to present new plays by both new and established playwrights. It is a support programme which accepts unsolicited manuscripts for evaluation, runs Playwriting Workshops and provides editorial support for writers. It has produced numerous successful plays, staged readings and showcases over the years.
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=== Artscape Resource Centre ===
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==Sources==
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http://www.artscape.co.za/
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Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]
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== Return to ==
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Return to [[ESAT Venues A]]
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Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Venues|South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc ]]
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Return to [[The ESAT Entries]]
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Return to [[Main Page]]

Latest revision as of 13:11, 14 February 2024

NEEDS EXPANSION AND EDITING


Background

Historically the Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) was instituted in the early sixties of the twentieth century to promote the performing arts in the Cape Province. The arts councils received sufficient government subsidies to fund various art forms as well as the operational requirements of the theatre facilities. CAPAB toured the province and programmed and managed the Nico Malan Theatre Centre as a production house with four arts companies – orchestra, opera, ballet and drama. These companies had full-time artistes, technical and administrative staff.

Notes on the history from the Artscape Theatre Centre website[1]:

Artscape Theatre Centre, which belongs to the provincial administration, was opened on 19 May 1971 as the Nico Malan Theatre Centre. Inline with the new South African political dispensation and the concurrent changes the complex was renamed to Artscape in March 2001.

Historically the Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) was instituted in the early sixties of the twentieth century. The aim was to promote the performing arts. The arts councils received sufficient government subsidies to fund various art forms as well as the operational requirements of the theatre facilities.

CAPAB programmed and managed the Nico Malan Theatre Centre as a production house with four arts companies – orchestra, opera, ballet, and drama. These companies had full-time artists, technical and administrative staff.

Since 1994 government policy changed dramatically. All performing arts boards were transformed to playhouses and the various arts companies had to become independent. In 1997 the CAPAB staged its last play, The Guise, by David Mowat. It was staged as an ode to the closing down of CAPAB and the major theme of the play was the survival of theatre.

Artscape was launched on 27 March 1999 to replace CAPAB. Today it manages the theatre venues and provides essential technical and specialised services on a semi-commercial basis. The emphasis is on sustainable theatre practice, education and development.

Founding of Artscape

Since 1994 government policy changed dramatically. All performing arts boards were transformed to playhouses and the various arts companies had to become independent. Because of the immense political baggage carried by CAPAB, and more especially the Nico Malan Theatre (which had opened - to loud protest - in 1971 "for whites only" and had long been boycotted) the decision was made to change the name of the complex and its managing company. Thus Artscape was launched on 27 March 1999 to replace the old Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB).

The Artscape Theatre Centre

Soon after, in view of the history and in line with the new South African political dispensation and the concurrent changes, the old Nico Malan Theatre Centre was renamed also Artscape in March 2001.

Today Artscape manages the theatre venues of the Artscape Theatre Centre (sometimes called the Artscape Theatre Complex by journalists and writers) and provides essential technical and specialised services on a semi-commercial basis. The emphasis is on sustainable theatre practice, education and development.

Departments and Programmes

Artscape Indigenous Arts Department

Established in 2007, it aims to develop, mentor and preserve South African indigenous customs through the arts . With this comes the responsibility to affirm, by providing platforms for art forms, cultures and languages that have been previously marginalised. And all the while, artistic excellence remains at the core of development. Productions include *** Children of the Mist (2010)

Artscape New Writing Programme

A programme that supports new and established playwrights on an annual basis through a range of activities including workshops, stage readings and full scale productions. Originally launched by Roy Sargeant in 2005 to present new plays by both new and established playwrights. It is a support programme which accepts unsolicited manuscripts for evaluation, runs Playwriting Workshops and provides editorial support for writers. It has produced numerous successful plays, staged readings and showcases over the years.

Artscape Resource Centre

Sources

http://www.artscape.co.za/


Go to ESAT Bibliography

Return to

Return to ESAT Venues A

Return to South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page