Training of theatre practitioners

Also referred to as Theatre training or Drama training

General concept

The majority of Universities have always offered some basic training in the technical aspects of theatre to their drama students - some more formally, others more informally. Thus a few Universities appointed specialist teachers in aspects such as design or make-up (e.g. Natal Durban, Witwatersrand, Rhodes). From this a few gradually evolved certain more formal courses, the most elaborate most probably being the one devised and offered by the University of Stellenbosch. It had from the beginning had a diploma in stage management and technology, which by the end of the 1980s had become a full graduate and post-graduate teaching programme leading on to doctorate level in the field. However, since 1975 technicians for the theatre and related industries have also been given specialist training in these fields - and certainly advanced technical training - by Technikons through comprehensive hands-on courses. The Technikon Pretoria initiated such a focussed technical course in that year and Technicon Natal followed some years later. The courses offered by the Technikons made provision for various exit levels. A National certificate could be issued at the end of the first year, a Higher Certificate at the end of the second year and a National Diploma at the end of the third year. The B tech Degree is issued at the end of the fourth year and a M Tech Degree at the end of the fifth year. After an introductory period of six months, first-year students must choose two practical major subjects in which they will then specialise for the duration of the course. These subjects are Lighting, Sound, Decor Painting, Costumes, Make-up and Properties. Theatre History and Stage technology are compulsory subjects in the first three years. (JN)

History of training in South Africa

University training in the colonial period

The oldest tertiary establishment in South Africa was the University of Cape Town (1829), followed by the Universities of Stellenbosch (1866), Potchefstroom (1869), South Africa (1873), Witwatersrand (1896), Rhodes (1904) and the Orange Free State (1904), Pretoria (1908), Natal (1910) and Fort Hare (1916).

University training in the Apartheid period

Later, in the 1950s and 1960s a number of other Universities would be founded, to accommodate the various ethnic groups as defined by Apartheid policy. Eventually, by 1988, there were eleven drama departments in the country.

University training in the new South Africa

The system was dismantled and the University system greatly restructured in the period after 1994.

For specific details of all training institutions

See individual entries under Venues, where they are listed under the name of the particular University, College, Technikon, NGO, etc. - E.g Rhodes University Department of Speech and Drama, University of Stellenbosch Department of Drama, University of the Witwatersrand School of Dramatic Art, Technikon Pretoria Department of Drama, etc).

Training for technicians and stage managers

The majority of Universities have always offered some basic training in the technical aspects of theatre to their drama students - some more formally, others more informally. Thus a few Universities appointed specialist teachers in aspects such as design or make-up (e.g. Natal Durban, Witwatersrand, Rhodes). From this a few gradually evolved certain more formal courses, the most elaborate most probably being the one devised and offered by the University of Stellenbosch. It had from the beginning had a diploma in stage management and technology, which by the end of the 1980s had become a full graduate and post-graduate teaching programme leading on to doctorate level in the field. However, since 1975 technicians for the theatre and related industries have also been given specialist training in these fields - and certainly advanced technical training - by Technikons through comprehensive hands-on courses. The Technikon Pretoria initiated such a focussed technical course in that year and Technicon Natal followed some years later. The courses offered by the Technikons made provision for various exit levels. A National certificate could be issued at the end of the first year, a Higher Certificate at the end of the second year and a National Diploma at the end of the third year. The B tech Degree is issued at the end of the fourth year and a M Tech Degree at the end of the fifth year. After an introductory period of six months, first-year students must choose two practical major subjects in which they will then specialise for the duration of the course. These subjects are Lighting, Sound, Decor Painting, Costumes, Make-up and Properties. Theatre History and Stage technology are compulsory subjects in the first three years.

By 2000 most of the Techikons had been converted to Universities of Technology, and were awarding degrees. **

(Jan Nel)

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