South African Theatre Studio

The South African Theatre Studio was a bilingual English and Afrikaans drama training institution in Bloemfontein. Known as Suid-Afrikaanse Teater Studio in Afrikaans and by its acronym SATS.

Founded by Jo Gevers and Schalk Jacobsz in 1967, the studio's aim was to produce plays that were not usually done, and do so in a technically and artistically responsible way. They wanted to create opportunities for those who were not in the position to commit themselves to the theatre on a full-time basis. It was also seen as a gateway to the professional stage for amateurs and students, and a means of giving drama students at the University of the Orange Free State an opportunity to work with professional theatre-makers and bridge the gap between student theatre and professional theatre.

The studio was situated at 85 Aliwal Street, Bloemfontein and the management consisted of:

Jo Gevers (Artistic Director), Schalk Jacobz and Jan Mellet (Managing directors), Mariechen Naudé (Artistic collaborator), Annatjie Vorster (advisor on costumes and make-up) and Adam van Niekerk (Décor and properties).

Some of their productions were Speelgoed van Glas, Dagboek van 'n Gek, Die Tier en die Tiksters, Die Koning Sterf and Tango.

Sources

SATS: South African Theatre Studio 1967-1968. Brochure. (ESAT archive)

Speelgoed van Glas programme notes, 1967.

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