Difference between revisions of "Siyasanga South African Theatre Company"
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Siyasanga is an African Hlubi word meaning: "we embrace you or we thank you". Siyasanga is a repertory theatre company for young South African theatre workers and particularly those from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. | Siyasanga is an African Hlubi word meaning: "we embrace you or we thank you". Siyasanga is a repertory theatre company for young South African theatre workers and particularly those from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. | ||
| − | Also billed as [[Siyasanga Theatre Company]] | + | Also billed as [[Siyasanga Theatre Company]], [[Siyasanga Cape Town Theatre Company]], or simply [[Siyasanga]]. |
==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | It was founded by playwright [[Fatima Dike]] and producer/director [[Roy Sargeant]] in | + | It was founded by playwright [[Fatima Dike]] and producer/director [[Roy Sargeant]] in 2001, and officially launched in 2003. The ultimate goal is to establish a major, theatrical repertory company, which would have a stock of plays and performances that it can perform at regular intervals. Such a company would provide work for South African theatre workers on two-to three- year contracts and builds up a loyal audience because of its constant presence in the market place. Initially Siyisanga was based in Langa, putting on small plays for tourists visiting the Gugu S'Thebe Centre in Langa and at schools. In 2007, it moved to Artscape. Early productions were staged jointly with [[Artscape]]. |
Since 2005, it has also run the annual Artscape Spring Drama Season, where new work by new and established writers are shown. | Since 2005, it has also run the annual Artscape Spring Drama Season, where new work by new and established writers are shown. | ||
In 2011, [[Fatima Dike]] and [[Roy Sargeant]] were joined by fellow theatricals [[Alfred Rietmann]] and [[Anthea Thompson]]. | In 2011, [[Fatima Dike]] and [[Roy Sargeant]] were joined by fellow theatricals [[Alfred Rietmann]] and [[Anthea Thompson]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Following the Covid 19 pandemic, the company went into hibernation till late 2024 when some activities commenced under a new and stream-lined board, chaired by [[Fatima Dike]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Aims and objectives== | ||
| + | |||
| + | The main objectives of the Company are to encourage and mentor young writers and performers from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. The primary focus at present is on youth empowerment through the performing arts. Given the important role that theatre plays in the enactment of cross-cultural engagements, the projects promote an engagement with on-going challenges associated with issues of social justice. | ||
==Productions== | ==Productions== | ||
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Other productions include: | Other productions include: | ||
| + | |||
| + | * ''[[Now Now]]'' (2005) | ||
| + | |||
| + | * ''[[Isandulela (The Dawn)]]'' (2005) | ||
* ''[[A Man and a Dog]]'' ([[Nhlanhla Mavundla]], 2008) | * ''[[A Man and a Dog]]'' ([[Nhlanhla Mavundla]], 2008) | ||
| Line 26: | Line 36: | ||
* ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'' (2010) | * ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'' (2010) | ||
| + | |||
| + | * ''[[The Quiet Violence of Dreams]]'' (2010) | ||
| + | |||
| + | * ''[[Waiting for Godot]]'' (2011) | ||
| + | |||
| + | * ''[[Woza Albert]]'' (2011) | ||
| + | |||
| + | * ''[[The Birds]]'' (2011/2012) | ||
| + | |||
| + | * ''[[Nothing But The Truth]]'' (2012) | ||
* ''[[The First South African]]'' ([[Fatima Dike]], 2025) | * ''[[The First South African]]'' ([[Fatima Dike]], 2025) | ||
| Line 34: | Line 54: | ||
Robyn Cohen. 'Young SA actors are in good company with Siyasanga'. [[IOL]]. 4 April 2011. https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/young-sa-actors-are-in-good-company-with-siyasanga-1051506 | Robyn Cohen. 'Young SA actors are in good company with Siyasanga'. [[IOL]]. 4 April 2011. https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/young-sa-actors-are-in-good-company-with-siyasanga-1051506 | ||
| + | |||
| + | https://iol.co.za/entertainment/whats-on/2005-06-28-siyasangas-time-is-now/ | ||
| + | |||
| + | https://www.developmentaid.org/organizations/view/654437/siyasanga-cape-town-theatre-company | ||
== For more information == | == For more information == | ||
Latest revision as of 18:15, 10 March 2026
Siyasanga is an African Hlubi word meaning: "we embrace you or we thank you". Siyasanga is a repertory theatre company for young South African theatre workers and particularly those from historically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Also billed as Siyasanga Theatre Company, Siyasanga Cape Town Theatre Company, or simply Siyasanga.
History
It was founded by playwright Fatima Dike and producer/director Roy Sargeant in 2001, and officially launched in 2003. The ultimate goal is to establish a major, theatrical repertory company, which would have a stock of plays and performances that it can perform at regular intervals. Such a company would provide work for South African theatre workers on two-to three- year contracts and builds up a loyal audience because of its constant presence in the market place. Initially Siyisanga was based in Langa, putting on small plays for tourists visiting the Gugu S'Thebe Centre in Langa and at schools. In 2007, it moved to Artscape. Early productions were staged jointly with Artscape.
Since 2005, it has also run the annual Artscape Spring Drama Season, where new work by new and established writers are shown.
In 2011, Fatima Dike and Roy Sargeant were joined by fellow theatricals Alfred Rietmann and Anthea Thompson.
Following the Covid 19 pandemic, the company went into hibernation till late 2024 when some activities commenced under a new and stream-lined board, chaired by Fatima Dike.
Aims and objectives
The main objectives of the Company are to encourage and mentor young writers and performers from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. The primary focus at present is on youth empowerment through the performing arts. Given the important role that theatre plays in the enactment of cross-cultural engagements, the projects promote an engagement with on-going challenges associated with issues of social justice.
Productions
The company staged adaptations of school setworks that were performed at Artscape and toured to schools. Performing setworks was part of the original vision – to bring texts by Shakespeare, Samuel Beckett and other great playwrights to life for pupils.
Other productions include:
- Now Now (2005)
- Isandulela (The Dawn) (2005)
- A Man and a Dog (Nhlanhla Mavundla, 2008)
- Careful (Fiona Coyne, 2009)
- Outodidak (Schalk Schoombie, 2009)
- The Tent, (Megan Choritz, 2009)
- Romeo and Juliet (2010)
- The Quiet Violence of Dreams (2010)
- Waiting for Godot (2011)
- Woza Albert (2011)
- The Birds (2011/2012)
- Nothing But The Truth (2012)
- The First South African (Fatima Dike, 2025)
Sources
Robyn Cohen. 'Young SA actors are in good company with Siyasanga'. IOL. 4 April 2011. https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/young-sa-actors-are-in-good-company-with-siyasanga-1051506
https://iol.co.za/entertainment/whats-on/2005-06-28-siyasangas-time-is-now/
https://www.developmentaid.org/organizations/view/654437/siyasanga-cape-town-theatre-company
For more information
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