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− | The aim of the ESAT encyclopaedia is to create a comprehensive database on the history and nature of South African drama, theatre and performance (including dance, oral performance and similar forms), and to make it available as a general reference work and resource for the use of researchers, students, artists, journalist and all other interested parties. This first version of the encyclopaedia was originally intended to be a formally published mini-encyclopaedia and reference work called [[A Companion to South African Theatre and Performance (COMSAT)]] and was derived from a database collated by [[Temple Hauptfleisch]] and the [[Centre for Theatre and Performance Studies]] (CENTAPS) at Stellenbosch (with the help of a large number of associates and assistants) over the course of twenty years (1990-2010) (For more on this see '''About ESAT''' below, especially the sections on ''[[Acknowledgements]]'' and ''[[Background, origins and history]]'' ). | + | The key aim of the [[ESAT]] encyclopaedia is to create a comprehensive database on the history and nature of South African [[drama]], [[theatre]] and [[performance]] (including [[dance]], [[oral performance]] and similar forms), and to make it available as a general reference work and resource for the use of researchers, students, artists, journalist and all other interested parties. This first version of the encyclopaedia was originally intended to be a formally published mini-encyclopaedia and reference work called [[A Companion to South African Theatre and Performance]] ([[COMSAT)]]) and was derived from a database collated by [[Temple Hauptfleisch]] and the [[Centre for Theatre and Performance Studies]] (CENTAPS) at Stellenbosch (with the help of a large number of associates and assistants) over the course of twenty years (1990-2010) (For more on this see '''[[About ESAT]]''' below, especially the sections on ''[[Acknowledgements]]'' and ''[[Background, origins and history]]'' ). |
− | + | This new version of [[COMSAT]], now called [[ESAT]], is intended as a means of "publishing" all that material online, and thus make the results of all existing and emerging academic and other research more readily accessible to the general reader and the theatre enthusiast nationally and internationally. In this sense the basic aim is rather to condense and collate ''available'' information on all South African theatre and performance forms (as far as they have been documented) in one place and in a handy and accessible digital format, rather than to undertake any comprehensive new research. Happily a great deal of little known and/or forgotten information has in fact come to the fore in the process, and much is still being discovered as the project grows. However, that was never - nor is it - the fundamental aim of this first version of [[ESAT]]. | |
− | Just a word of warning: In this first, experimental phase, all the material available has been put onto the web as it has been received - incomplete as it may be at this stage, | + | Just a word of warning to all readers: In this first, experimental phase, all the material available has been put onto the web much as it has been received - incomplete as it may be at this stage, often with many ''lacunae'' and even possible errors. The idea is to make it avaialble, and then invite the academic and artistic community to help in improving, editing and expanding this material. (For more on this see ''[[Updating ESAT]]'' below.) |
− | To find out more about ESAT, click on any of the following links. To go directly to the database and access the material, go to ''[[The ESAT Entries]]'' below. | + | To find out more about [[ESAT]], click on any of the following links. To go directly to the database and access the material, go to ''[[The ESAT Entries]]'' below. |
== About ESAT == | == About ESAT == |
Revision as of 09:37, 27 May 2012
Contents
ESAT: The Encyclopaedia of South African Theatre and Performance
Founder and general editor: Temple Hauptfleisch
Editorial assistant: Miriam Terblanche
Web publisher: University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
Editorial offices: University of Stellenbosch, Department of Drama
Introduction
The Encyclopaedia of South African Theatre and Performance (ESAT) is an open access, internet based interactive resource for theatre and performance researchers interested in the evolution, history and forms of drama, theatre and performance in South Africa. Deriving from the University of Stellenbosch's Libopedia, it uses the Wiki format and programmes and is published on the web with the assistance of the Drama Department (http://www.sun.ac.za/drama) and its former Centre for Theatre and Performance Studies), the J.S. Gericke Library and the division for Information Technology at the University of Stellenbosch (http://www.sun.ac.za/index.asp)
Aims of ESAT
The key aim of the ESAT encyclopaedia is to create a comprehensive database on the history and nature of South African drama, theatre and performance (including dance, oral performance and similar forms), and to make it available as a general reference work and resource for the use of researchers, students, artists, journalist and all other interested parties. This first version of the encyclopaedia was originally intended to be a formally published mini-encyclopaedia and reference work called A Companion to South African Theatre and Performance (COMSAT)) and was derived from a database collated by Temple Hauptfleisch and the Centre for Theatre and Performance Studies (CENTAPS) at Stellenbosch (with the help of a large number of associates and assistants) over the course of twenty years (1990-2010) (For more on this see About ESAT below, especially the sections on Acknowledgements and Background, origins and history ).
This new version of COMSAT, now called ESAT, is intended as a means of "publishing" all that material online, and thus make the results of all existing and emerging academic and other research more readily accessible to the general reader and the theatre enthusiast nationally and internationally. In this sense the basic aim is rather to condense and collate available information on all South African theatre and performance forms (as far as they have been documented) in one place and in a handy and accessible digital format, rather than to undertake any comprehensive new research. Happily a great deal of little known and/or forgotten information has in fact come to the fore in the process, and much is still being discovered as the project grows. However, that was never - nor is it - the fundamental aim of this first version of ESAT.
Just a word of warning to all readers: In this first, experimental phase, all the material available has been put onto the web much as it has been received - incomplete as it may be at this stage, often with many lacunae and even possible errors. The idea is to make it avaialble, and then invite the academic and artistic community to help in improving, editing and expanding this material. (For more on this see Updating ESAT below.)
To find out more about ESAT, click on any of the following links. To go directly to the database and access the material, go to The ESAT Entries below.
About ESAT
- What is ESAT?
- Contributors
- Acknowledgements
- Background, origins and history
- Basic principles in editing and using ESAT
- A Warning to Readers of ESAT
- Updating ESAT
- Guide to using ESAT
Note to all readers
This is very much a work in progress and many articles/entries are incomplete or may contain errors. Also, there may be articles missing on issues, people and institutions you know about. Should you wish to comment, alter or add to the article or to the encyclopaedia, please go to Updating ESAT.
The ESAT Entries
The entries for ESAT have been grouped in 7 categories, managed and edited by one of the research editors. To access database material on the relevant category, and choose the item by clicking on the link.
- South African Theatre/Overview
- South African Theatre Terminology and Thematic Entries
- South African Theatre Personalities
- South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc
- South African Theatre Plays
- A Chronology of South African Theatre and Performance
- A Bibliography of South African South African Theatre and Performance