Difference between revisions of "Mannie Manim"

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1941-) Lighting designer and theatre administrator. Born in Cape Town, came to Johannesburg m 1953, where he started as an usher at the [[Brooke Theatre]] in 1955 and rose through the ranks from stage hand to Managing Director of [[PACT]] Drama before going out on a limb with [[Barney Simon]] to create the  [[Market Theatre]] in Johannesburg. He has since been the Executive Director of both the [[Baxter Theatre]] and [[Fugard Theatre]] in Cape Town, while still producing and lighting his own productions.
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[[Mannie Manim]] (born 1941). Lighting designer and theatre administrator.  
  
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== Biography ==
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Born [[Manuel Manim]] in Cape Town, he began in theatre as an usher in the [[Brian Brooke Theatre]] at 15, went into stage management with [[Leonard Schach]] at the [[Hofmeyr]] in Cape Town, then managed the [[Playhouse]] for [[Leonard Rayne]] and returned to the [[Brooke Theatre]] as stage director.
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He was a co-founder and board member of the [[South African Institute of Theatre Technology]] ([[SAITT]]) in 1969 and the [[South African Association of Theatre Managements]] ([[SAATM]]) (he was also Executive Committee member). He was on the Committee for the [[National Arts Festival]] (Chairman in 2003); founder member of the Executive committee of [[Committed Artists]] and a Governor of the [[Fuba Academy of Arts]].
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== Theatre Management ==
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===PACT===
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After working for a few other companies in Johannesburg, including [[Theatre International]] (he was production and company manager for [[Stephen Sondheim]]’s musical ''[[A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum]]'' at the [[Johannesburg Civic]] in 1964), he joined [[PACT]] at the age of 26, as the technical organizer for drama at of the state funded  [[Performing Arts Council of the Transvaal]] (PACT), went on to become production manager and ultimately manager of drama,  with [[Francois Swart]] as Artistic Director. Did a brilliant job in a period still considered the golden era of [[Afrikaans]] theatre and one of the best periods in the history of the [[Performing Arts Councils]].
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===The Company/Market Theatre===
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A dynamic yet meticulous planner, with a visionary view of South African theatre, he in 1973 joined with [[Barney Simon]] to found [[The Company]]  and in 1976 they opened the [[Market Theatre]]. He was also one of the Trustees of the [[Market Theatre Foundation]]. Manim effectively ran the Market Theatre from then till he left in 1991.  With [[John Hussey]] he co-directed [[The Company]]’s production of [[Alan Ayckbourn]]’s ''[[Absurd Person Singular]]'' (the [[Market Theatre]], November 1977). He produced several productions for [[The Company]], including ''[[Sly Fox]]'' at the [[Market Theatre]] (1979).
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===University of the Witwatersrand===
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In 1991 he founded his own company ([[Mannie Manim Productions]]) (1991-) and took up the post of Director (Performing Arts Administration) at the [[University of the Witwatersrand]], effectively running the [[Wits Theatre Complex]] (1991-2000).
  
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===Baxter Theatre===
  
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= TO BE EXPANDED AND EDITED =
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In 2000 he became CEO and Director of the [[Baxter Theatre]] in Cape Town and also the Chairman of the [[Standard Bank National Arts Festival]] Board. He retired from this position in 2009, to be replaced by [[Lara Foot-Newton]].
  
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===Fugard Theatre===
  
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Then appointed Executive Director of the new [[Fugard Theatre]] in Harrington Street (2010-2012).
  
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== Biography ==
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== Lighting design==
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Marie Manim has worked extensively as a lighting designer, particularly of the first South African productions of [[Athol Fugard]]'s plays, including
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* ''[[Statements After an Arrest Under the Immorality Act]]'' (the first production staged at [[The Space]] in 1972)
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* ''[[Playland]]'' in 1992
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* ''[[Sorrows and Rejoicings]]'' ([[Baxter Theatre]], 2001)
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* ''[[Die Laaste Karretjiegraf]]'' ([[Fugard Theatre]], 2013)
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* ''[[The Shadow of the Hummingbird]]'' ([[Fugard Theatre]], 2014).
 +
 
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Manim remained a prolific and higly regarded lighting designer in South Africa and elsewhere, working all over South Africa and in places like Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, London and Stockholm over the years. Lighting design for other productions include:
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* ''[[Death of a Salesman]]'', (2001)
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* ''[[Race]]'' (Mamet, [[Grahamstown Festival]], 2012 & 2013) 
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* ''[[Die Vuurvoël]]'' ("The Firebird", 2016)
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== Awards ==
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Manim has won numerous national and international awards over the years for his lighting designs and his management skills. The South African awards include:
  
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* the [[Shirley Moss Award]] for the Greatest Practical and Technical Contribution to Theatre in South Africa (1980)
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* the [[South African Institute of Theatre Technology]] Award for Outstanding Achievement as a Theatre Technician, Administrator and Lighting designer (1981)
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* 10 [[Vita Awards]] for lighting, for contribution to the success of ''[[The War at Home]]'', a Vita Award for the most Enterprising Producer (1985)
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* numerous [[Fleur du Cap]] Awards
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* Gold medal for Theatre Development from the [[South African Academy of Arts and Science]] (1996)
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* the [[Naledi Award]] of the [[Theatre Managements of South Africa]] (2004)
  
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Born [[Manuel Manim]] in Cape Town, he began in theatre as an usher in the [[Brian Brooke Theatre]] at 15, went into stage management with [[Leonard Schach]] at the [[Hofmeyr]] in Cape Town, then managed the [[Playhouse]] for [[Leonard Rayne]] and returned to the [[Brooke Theatre]] as stage director. After working for a few other companies in Johannesburg [[Theatre International]], he joined [[PACT]] at the age of 26, as the technical organizer for drama at of the state funded  [[Performing Arts Council of the Transvaal]] (PACT), went on to become production manager and ultimately manager of drama,  with [[Francois Swart]] as Artistic Director. Did a brilliant job in a period still considered the golden era of Afrikaans theatre and one of the best periods in the history of the [[Performing Arts Councils]]. Also did freelance work, e.g. lighting the first production staged at [[The Space]] in 1972, namely [[Athol Fugard]]’s ''[[Statements After an Arrest Under the Immorality Act]]''. In fact, beginning at the [[Alexander Theatre]] in the 1970s, he has lit every one of [[Athol Fugard]]’s plays produced in South Africa for the past three decades. A dynamic yet meticulous planner, with a visionary view of South African theatre, he in 1973 joined with [[Barney Simon]] to found [[The Company]]  and in 1976 they opened the [[Market Theatre]]. He was also one of the Trustees of the [[Market Theatre Foundation]]. Manim effectively ran the Market Theatre from then till he left in 1991 to found his own company ([[Mannie Manim Productions]]) and to take up the post of Director [[Performing Arts Administration at the University of the Witwatersrand]], effectively running the [[Wits Theatre Complex]]. In 2000 he became CEO and Director of the [[Baxter Theatre]] in Cape Town and also the Chairman of the [[Standard Bank National Arts Festival]] Board. He retired from this position in 2009, to be replaced by [[Lara Foot-Newton]]. Then appointed manager of the new [[Fugard Theatre]] in Harrington Street [*?]. He was also a co-founder and board member of the [[South African Institute for Theatre Technology]] (SAITT) in 1969 and the [[South African Association of Theatre Managements]] (SAATM)?*, ***. Despite the management positions, Manim remained a prolific and higly regarded lighting designer in South Africa and elsewhere, working all over South Africa and in places like Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, London and Stockholm over the years. Has won His numerous national and international awards over the years for his lighting designs and his management skills. The South African awards include the [[Shirley Moss Award]] (1980), the [[SATI Award]] (1981), 10 [[Vita Awards]] for lighting, numerous [[Fleur du Cap Awards]], the [[Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns]] Goue Medalje ("Gold medal", 1996) and the [[Naledi Award]] of the [[SA Association of Theatre Managers]] (2004). International awards include In 1990 the French Government conferred the Chevalier des Artes et Lettres on him. He was production and company manager for [[Stephen Sondheim]]’s musical ''[[A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum]]'', which was staged at the [[Civic]] in 1964 by [[Theatre International]], who’s general manager was [[Aubrey Louw]]. [[Christopher Hewett]] directed this play starring [[Jack Harrold]], [[Joseph Corby]], [[William Le Messena]], [[Fran Stevens]] and [[Emory Bass]]. Together with [[Barney Simon]] as artistic director he formed [[The Company]] as administrative director within the [[Arena Theatre]]. It had a core company of actors – [[Aletta Bezuidenhout]], [[Vanessa Cooke]], [[Leonie Hofmeyr]], [[David Eppel]], [[Judith Cornell]], [[Janice Honeyman]], [[Sue Kiel]], [[Danny Keogh]], [[Lindsay Reardon]] and [[John Oakley-Smith]]. Together with [[John Hussey]] he co-directed [[The Company]]’s production of [[Alan Ayckbourn]]’s ''[[Absurd Person Singular]]'', designed by [[Anthony Farmer]] and starring [[Diane Appleby]], [[Graham Armitage]], [[Naomi Buch]], [[Wilson Dunster]], [[Kerry Jordan]] and [[Gay Lambert]] at the [[Market Theatre]] in November 1977. He staged [[Larry Gelbart]]’s ''[[Sly Fox]]'' for [[The Company]] at the [[Market]] in 1979. It was directed by [[Pieter-Dirk Uys]] and starred [[Patrick Mynhardt]], [[Graham Armitage]] and [[Peter J. Elliott]]. He resigned from the [[Market]] in March 1991 to become the director of the [[Performing Arts Administration at Wits University]]. In 200*. ''[[Death of a Salesman]]'', [[Arthur Miller]], Director:  [[Bobby Heaney]] ,2001. [[Bill Flynn]], [[Frantz Dubrowsky]], [[Dale Cutts]], [[Martin le Maitre]], [[Gideon Emery]],  [[Langley Kirkwood]], [[Michelle Maxwell]], [[Joda Silva]], [[Justin Strydom]], [[Nathalie G’Mure]] & [[Leona Loseby]]. Lighting design:  [[Mannie Manim]].  Music: [[Janine Neethling]],  Set design: [[Stan Knight]]. [[Baxter Theatre]]. ''[[Sorrows and Rejoicings]]'', [[Athol Fugard]], [[Baxter]], 2001.  [[Marius Weyers]], [[Denise Newman]], [[Jennifer Steyn]] & [[Amrain Ismail-Essop]].  Mederegie saam met [[Athol Fugard]], [[Susan Hilferty]].  Lighting:  [[Mannie Manim]]. ''[[Die Laaste Karretjiegraf]]'' (2013).
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International awards include:
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* In 1990, the French Government conferred the ''Chevalier des Artes et Lettres'' on him.
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* In 2002, he received Best Lighting Design for ''[[The Island]]'' in Toronto
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==
  
 
Programme, ''[[Die Laaste Karretjiegraf]]'' (2013)
 
Programme, ''[[Die Laaste Karretjiegraf]]'' (2013)
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''[[Playland]]'' programme notes, 1992.
  
 
http://www.sahistory.org.za/people/mannie-manim
 
http://www.sahistory.org.za/people/mannie-manim
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http://www.theatrearchive.co.za/interviews_theatre_lighting_archive.php
 
http://www.theatrearchive.co.za/interviews_theatre_lighting_archive.php
  
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Tucker, 1997
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([[NELM]]:[Collection: MANIM, Mannie]: 2010. 38. 13. 4. 1. 2.).
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[[ESAT Bibliography Tra-Tz|Tucker]], 1997.
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[[National Arts Festival]] Souvenir Programme, 2003
  
  

Latest revision as of 16:33, 12 January 2024

Mannie Manim (born 1941). Lighting designer and theatre administrator.

Biography

Born Manuel Manim in Cape Town, he began in theatre as an usher in the Brian Brooke Theatre at 15, went into stage management with Leonard Schach at the Hofmeyr in Cape Town, then managed the Playhouse for Leonard Rayne and returned to the Brooke Theatre as stage director.

He was a co-founder and board member of the South African Institute of Theatre Technology (SAITT) in 1969 and the South African Association of Theatre Managements (SAATM) (he was also Executive Committee member). He was on the Committee for the National Arts Festival (Chairman in 2003); founder member of the Executive committee of Committed Artists and a Governor of the Fuba Academy of Arts.

Theatre Management

PACT

After working for a few other companies in Johannesburg, including Theatre International (he was production and company manager for Stephen Sondheim’s musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at the Johannesburg Civic in 1964), he joined PACT at the age of 26, as the technical organizer for drama at of the state funded Performing Arts Council of the Transvaal (PACT), went on to become production manager and ultimately manager of drama, with Francois Swart as Artistic Director. Did a brilliant job in a period still considered the golden era of Afrikaans theatre and one of the best periods in the history of the Performing Arts Councils.

The Company/Market Theatre

A dynamic yet meticulous planner, with a visionary view of South African theatre, he in 1973 joined with Barney Simon to found The Company and in 1976 they opened the Market Theatre. He was also one of the Trustees of the Market Theatre Foundation. Manim effectively ran the Market Theatre from then till he left in 1991. With John Hussey he co-directed The Company’s production of Alan Ayckbourn’s Absurd Person Singular (the Market Theatre, November 1977). He produced several productions for The Company, including Sly Fox at the Market Theatre (1979).

University of the Witwatersrand

In 1991 he founded his own company (Mannie Manim Productions) (1991-) and took up the post of Director (Performing Arts Administration) at the University of the Witwatersrand, effectively running the Wits Theatre Complex (1991-2000).

Baxter Theatre

In 2000 he became CEO and Director of the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town and also the Chairman of the Standard Bank National Arts Festival Board. He retired from this position in 2009, to be replaced by Lara Foot-Newton.

Fugard Theatre

Then appointed Executive Director of the new Fugard Theatre in Harrington Street (2010-2012).

Lighting design

Marie Manim has worked extensively as a lighting designer, particularly of the first South African productions of Athol Fugard's plays, including

Manim remained a prolific and higly regarded lighting designer in South Africa and elsewhere, working all over South Africa and in places like Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, London and Stockholm over the years. Lighting design for other productions include:

Awards

Manim has won numerous national and international awards over the years for his lighting designs and his management skills. The South African awards include:

International awards include:

  • In 1990, the French Government conferred the Chevalier des Artes et Lettres on him.
  • In 2002, he received Best Lighting Design for The Island in Toronto

Sources

Programme, Die Laaste Karretjiegraf (2013)

Playland programme notes, 1992.

http://www.sahistory.org.za/people/mannie-manim

http://www.theatrearchive.co.za/interviews_theatre_lighting_archive.php

(NELM:[Collection: MANIM, Mannie]: 2010. 38. 13. 4. 1. 2.).

Tucker, 1997.

National Arts Festival Souvenir Programme, 2003


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