Soweto Theatre

The term Soweto Theatre can have two meanings, referring either to theatre as an activity and to a theatricval venue. Both are discussed below.

Referring to theatre as an activity in Soweto

Used as a general or generic term, this may refer to all the various theatrical activities in Soweto.

See the overview provided in the entry on Theatre in Soweto.

Referring to a performance space - The Soweto Theatre

Founding and management

The Soweto Theatre is a city theatre at the corner of Bolani Road and Bolani Link, Jabulani, opened on 16th May 2012 with a performance of The Suitcase by Es'kia Mphahlele, adapted and directed by James Ngcobo.

When it was completed in 2012, the Soweto Theatre became the first professionally outfitted theatre in any of South Africa’s black townships. The glittering opening ceremony included a commissioned verse work recited by Mzwakhe Mbuli, “The People’s Poet.” in honour of the building’s opening. In his words, Mbuli paid tribute to the forebears of black, liberation, and struggle theatre from Soweto who had been among the country’s important cultural figures, or who were also closely associated with the township’s cultural life.

Built in a zone of public space within the high density, mixed-use Jabulani CBD, the colourful, candy-coated building with flaring sails and cosy 436-seater auditorium, is intended to be a multi-purpose performing arts centre for theatre productions, dance, music, film and community gatherings. Known as the "cultural heart" of the suburb, it includes the existing Jabulani Amphitheatre, parkland, public art and other amenities. Residents of Soweto as well as the greater Johannesburg and surrounds will be able to enjoy professional local and international productions.

In 2013 Warona Seane was appointed as artistic director for the theatre.

In 2014 the City of Johannesburg, as part of its ongoing Institutional Review, resolved that the three civic theatres, the Joburg Theatre, the Roodepoort Theatre and the Soweto Theatre, be integrated into a single theatre management company, Joburg City Theatres (JCT), to manage the functions and services of the theatres.

History

In 2013, the Theatre initiated youth programs aimed at nurturing local talent in the arts such as Seven Colour Sundays, a food, music and lifestyle market event, and School Setworks, providing training and performance opportunities for young aspiring artists from Soweto.

In February 2023 the main venue (Red Theatre) was renamed the Gibson Kente Theatre during a renaming ceremony that included a keynote address by actress, writer and filmmaker Sibusisiwe Gugu Manqele and delivery of the inaugural Gibson Kente memorial lecture. The event also included the unveiling of the Gibson Kente Gallery, dedicated to the memory of the late playwright.

The venues

There are four venues at the Soweto Theatre:

• the Gibson Kente Auditorium (formerly the Red Theatre, capacity 436)
• the large studio (capacity 152)
• the small studio (capacity 88)
• the Jabulani Amphitheatre - an outdoor theatre situated in the Soweto Theatre complex. This refurbished 6 000 seater arena is rich with South African history as it was an integral location for secret ANC meetings during the apartheid era.

Productions

Besides The Suitcase (2012), other productions done at the theatre have incuded Masote's Dream (201*), Book of Revelations (201*),

2013: Asinamali

2014/2015: On the first anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s death, the theatre hosted special performances and events honoring the legacy of the anti-apartheid icon. Soweto Theatre’s artistic director Warona Seane hosted patrons with Thabang Ramaila’s Ndlovukazi – She Elephant, Meshack Mavuso Magubane’s One Square Mile and Eclipse by Danai Gurira.

2015: Colour Me Human

2017: The Gibson Kente Music Tribute, Gone Native

Soweto Theatre Youth Orchestra

Soweto Theatre Youth Orchestra is a dynamic programme designed to equip young musicians with both artistic and professional skills in the field of music. The orchestra is composed of 30 talented young adults from across Soweto and was established in September 2024 with a vision to create opportunities through structured music education and performance.

Awards

In 2015 the Soweto Theatre received a Lifestyle and Achievement Award from Jozi FM radio station for their work.

Sources

https://www.deseret.com/2012/5/21/20414060/s-africa-s-most-famous-township-gets-new-theater/

"Soweto Theatre seeks Marketing Manager" Artslink 06/11/2014[1]

https://www.sowetotheatre.com/about-us/

See ESAT Bibliography

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