Difference between revisions of "Playhouse Company"

From ESAT
Jump to navigation Jump to search
 
(8 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
A company founded in 1995 and launched on 11/2/1995 by [[Johan Zietsman]], CEO of [[NAPAC]], to be the resident productuion company for the [[Natal Playhouse]].  
+
The [[Playhouse Company]] is a Theatre production company based at [[The Playhouse]] in Durban, and operates as an agency of the [[Department of Sports, Arts and Culture]].
  
 +
==History==
  
−
== Background ==
+
A company founded in 1995 and launched on 11th February 1995 by [[Johan Zietsman]], CEO of [[NAPAC]], to be the resident production company for [[The Playhouse]] in Durban.
  
−
Durban's Playhouse complex links the city's present with its past. The current theatre facade preserves two of the city's most famous landmarks, situated adjacent to each other in central Smith Street opposite the [[City Hall]], first conceived as cinemas, namely the glamorous [[Prince's Theatre]], which originated in 1926, and the grand, Tudor-styled [[Playhouse]], which originally opened its doors to public fanfares and capacity house in 1935.
+
===Management===
 +
Musical composer, director and producer [[Mbongeni Ngema]] was appointed head of the Musical Theatre Department. After some months his counterpart, [[Murray McGibbon]], director of drama, who had been with [[NAPAC]] since 1987, resigned and accepted a position at Indiana University, giving as a reason for his resignation that Ngema had received unfair preferential treatment in his appointment. [[Gitanjali Pather]], founder of the annual South African Women’s Arts Festival at the Playhouse, a former director of the theatre, and acting managing director of the Playhouse, also resigned after a tape recording of an executive committee meeting became public in which the chairman, Edmund Radebe and other members made derogatory racial comments about her and her abilities. Pather was subsequently appointed CEO at the [[Market Theatre]].
  
−
In the early 1980s, these two celebrated entertainment venues underwent expert renovation and conversion into a state-of-the-art, multi-venue theatre complex that faithfully preserved many of the buildings' original characteristics and archetectural features. This was officially opened in the mid '80s as The Natal Playhouse, subsequently to become known by its present-day title The [[Playhouse]], Kwazulu-Natal's premier theatre complex and home of The [[Playhouse Company]].
+
In December 2003, opera singer [[Linda Bukhosini]] was appointed artistic director of the Playhouse.
 +
 
 +
==Strategic overview==
 +
 
 +
===Vision===
 +
 
 +
Inspiring and cultivating artistic excellence and cultural diversity in the performing arts.
 +
 
 +
===Mission===
 +
 
 +
In achieving the above vision, The Playhouse Company describes its mission as:
 +
 
 +
We advance, promote and preserve the performing arts by:
 +
* Balancing the transformation agenda and commercial programming, in a manner that facilitates social cohesion and nation building;
 +
* Producing and presenting productions with artistic, entertainment and educational value;
 +
* Supporting life skills education and arts appreciation through artistic programming, and skills development for arts practitioners and training for staff;
 +
* Ensuring quality experiences for our audiences, and providing opportunities to interact across culture, race and class;
 +
* and the preservation of the historic landmark that is The Playhouse
 +
 
 +
==Finances==
 +
 
 +
In the 2004/5 financial year, the Playhouse Company in Durban received R4,5 million from the Department of Arts and Culture in KwaZulu Natal and just over R1 million from the eThekwini Municipality.
 +
 
 +
==Seasons==
 +
 
 +
===Schools Programmes===
 +
Held from February to March. This initiative reaches out to senior primary and high school learners. Presented both on tour and at the Playhouse. It includes learning aid programmes, to assist in the understanding of set works, as well as productions that highlight moral community values.
 +
 
 +
===Ingoma Competition===
 +
Held in March. The Playhouse Company’s annual Ingoma Competition is a splendid showcase for traditional Zulu dance groups to compete with each other before crowds of admirers.
 +
 
 +
===Community Arts Mentorship Programme===
 +
Run in March - April. A holistic learning aid process stretching over two months offers young artists entering the profession the opportunity to engage with high end mentors and seasoned professional arts practitioners in the fields of vocal coaching, script development, acting, direction, movement, and arts administration. At the end of the programme, the mentees get to present the productions they have created before an audience
 +
 
 +
===New Stages===
 +
Held in May. It is a platform to showcase new South African theatre works.  The primary focus is on the development of works that reflect contemporary South Africa’s artistic and diverse heritage. It is also offered as the Company’s salute to Africa Month.The season also celebrates Africa Month.
 +
 
 +
===SA Women’s Arts Festival===
 +
Held in August. This flagship festival artistic works that highlight contributions made by women in society. The curation of stage productions showcases established female arts practitioners in the fields of drama, music and dance, also giving a platform to their new generation peers. Auxiliary features of the festival include beadwork expos and art exhibitions, as well as free Community Conversation sessions led by artists, community leaders and businesswomen.
 +
 
 +
===Isicathamiya Competition===
 +
Held in September. The Playhouse Company presents this unique a-cappella song-and-dance phenomenon annually as part of indigenous arts performances.
 +
 
 +
===Community Arts Festival at the Playhouse===
 +
Held in October. Up and coming arts practitioners are given an opportunity to showcase their works.
 +
 
 +
===Christmas Season===
 +
In December. Large-scale live productions promoting an enriching spirit of holiday cheer among the audiences.
 +
 
 +
===Okwethu Community Arts Festival (outreach)===
 +
In December. This outreach initiative allows entry level arts practitioners the chance to benefit of from professional skills sharing that is extended to them by the Playhouse team and its associates.
 +
 
 +
===Community Conversations===
 +
Held quarterly. Regular stakeholder consultative forums with the arts community.
 +
 
 +
===Sundowner Concerts and Poetry Sessions===
 +
Held monthly. These free events, held on the first Friday of the month, offer poetry and jazz enthusiasts the opportunity to unwind at the end the day in the convivial surroundings of [[The Playhouse]]’s main foyer.
 +
 
 +
===Test Driving the Arts Concerts===
 +
Monthly. Conceived as a performance opportunity for upcoming young artists to perform in front of an audience, these free lunch concerts feature isipantsula, hip-hip, kwaito, kathak, indlamu, and gospel among other genres.
 +
 
 +
==Productions==
 +
 
 +
1995: ''[[Mama]]''; ''[[The Wiz]]''
 +
 
 +
2006: ''[[My Fair Lady]]''
 +
 
 +
2009: ''[[My Fair Lady]]''
 +
 
 +
2013: ''[[Evita]]'' (with  [[Durban University of Technology]])
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==
Line 13: Line 84:
  
 
http://www.playhousecompany.com/
 
http://www.playhousecompany.com/
 +
 +
[[Johann van Heerden]]. 2008. ''Theatre in a new democracy. Some major trends in South African theatre from 1994 to 2003.'' D.Phil Thesis. [[University of Stellenbosch]].
  
 
== For more information ==
 
== For more information ==
−
 
  
 
== Return to ==
 
== Return to ==
−
 
  
 
Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Venues|South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc ]]
 
Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Venues|South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc ]]

Latest revision as of 18:26, 8 March 2025

The Playhouse Company is a Theatre production company based at The Playhouse in Durban, and operates as an agency of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.

History

A company founded in 1995 and launched on 11th February 1995 by Johan Zietsman, CEO of NAPAC, to be the resident production company for The Playhouse in Durban.

Management

Musical composer, director and producer Mbongeni Ngema was appointed head of the Musical Theatre Department. After some months his counterpart, Murray McGibbon, director of drama, who had been with NAPAC since 1987, resigned and accepted a position at Indiana University, giving as a reason for his resignation that Ngema had received unfair preferential treatment in his appointment. Gitanjali Pather, founder of the annual South African Women’s Arts Festival at the Playhouse, a former director of the theatre, and acting managing director of the Playhouse, also resigned after a tape recording of an executive committee meeting became public in which the chairman, Edmund Radebe and other members made derogatory racial comments about her and her abilities. Pather was subsequently appointed CEO at the Market Theatre.

In December 2003, opera singer Linda Bukhosini was appointed artistic director of the Playhouse.

Strategic overview

Vision

Inspiring and cultivating artistic excellence and cultural diversity in the performing arts.

Mission

In achieving the above vision, The Playhouse Company describes its mission as:

We advance, promote and preserve the performing arts by:

  • Balancing the transformation agenda and commercial programming, in a manner that facilitates social cohesion and nation building;
  • Producing and presenting productions with artistic, entertainment and educational value;
  • Supporting life skills education and arts appreciation through artistic programming, and skills development for arts practitioners and training for staff;
  • Ensuring quality experiences for our audiences, and providing opportunities to interact across culture, race and class;
  • and the preservation of the historic landmark that is The Playhouse

Finances

In the 2004/5 financial year, the Playhouse Company in Durban received R4,5 million from the Department of Arts and Culture in KwaZulu Natal and just over R1 million from the eThekwini Municipality.

Seasons

Schools Programmes

Held from February to March. This initiative reaches out to senior primary and high school learners. Presented both on tour and at the Playhouse. It includes learning aid programmes, to assist in the understanding of set works, as well as productions that highlight moral community values.

Ingoma Competition

Held in March. The Playhouse Company’s annual Ingoma Competition is a splendid showcase for traditional Zulu dance groups to compete with each other before crowds of admirers.

Community Arts Mentorship Programme

Run in March - April. A holistic learning aid process stretching over two months offers young artists entering the profession the opportunity to engage with high end mentors and seasoned professional arts practitioners in the fields of vocal coaching, script development, acting, direction, movement, and arts administration. At the end of the programme, the mentees get to present the productions they have created before an audience

New Stages

Held in May. It is a platform to showcase new South African theatre works. The primary focus is on the development of works that reflect contemporary South Africa’s artistic and diverse heritage. It is also offered as the Company’s salute to Africa Month.The season also celebrates Africa Month.

SA Women’s Arts Festival

Held in August. This flagship festival artistic works that highlight contributions made by women in society. The curation of stage productions showcases established female arts practitioners in the fields of drama, music and dance, also giving a platform to their new generation peers. Auxiliary features of the festival include beadwork expos and art exhibitions, as well as free Community Conversation sessions led by artists, community leaders and businesswomen.

Isicathamiya Competition

Held in September. The Playhouse Company presents this unique a-cappella song-and-dance phenomenon annually as part of indigenous arts performances.

Community Arts Festival at the Playhouse

Held in October. Up and coming arts practitioners are given an opportunity to showcase their works.

Christmas Season

In December. Large-scale live productions promoting an enriching spirit of holiday cheer among the audiences.

Okwethu Community Arts Festival (outreach)

In December. This outreach initiative allows entry level arts practitioners the chance to benefit of from professional skills sharing that is extended to them by the Playhouse team and its associates.

Community Conversations

Held quarterly. Regular stakeholder consultative forums with the arts community.

Sundowner Concerts and Poetry Sessions

Held monthly. These free events, held on the first Friday of the month, offer poetry and jazz enthusiasts the opportunity to unwind at the end the day in the convivial surroundings of The Playhouse’s main foyer.

Test Driving the Arts Concerts

Monthly. Conceived as a performance opportunity for upcoming young artists to perform in front of an audience, these free lunch concerts feature isipantsula, hip-hip, kwaito, kathak, indlamu, and gospel among other genres.

Productions

1995: Mama; The Wiz

2006: My Fair Lady

2009: My Fair Lady

2013: Evita (with Durban University of Technology)

Sources

Mervyn McMurtry

http://www.playhousecompany.com/

Johann van Heerden. 2008. Theatre in a new democracy. Some major trends in South African theatre from 1994 to 2003. D.Phil Thesis. University of Stellenbosch.

For more information

Return to

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

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page

Retrieved from "https://esat.sun.ac.za/index.php?title=Playhouse_Company&oldid=274084"