Market Theatre Laboratory

Market Theatre Laboratory (also known as the Market Lab or simply The Lab), is a successful training project founded in Johannesburg as an extension of the Market Theatre and was intended to cater for historically disadvantaged youth by offering a two-year course in theatre skills. It is also responsible for The Market Lab Annual Community Theatre Festival, a project intended to prepare and present the work of 50 community theatre groups and present a showcase of these in a semi-professional setting.

In 2012 its theatre was renamed the Ramolao Makhene Theatre after the late actor Ramolao Makhene.

Originally founded in 1989 by Barney Simon, John Kani and Vanessa Cooke as a training facility for performer and community theatre practitioners. It was attached to the Market Theatre as its educational arm, as a response to the needs of the community theatre sector for high quality training, and to provide a seedbed for the creation of new South African plays. Deeply embedded in the ethos of the Laboratory is its commitment to providing opportunities to talented youth from disadvantaged backgrounds who would not otherwise be able to pursue their passion for the arts.

The Lab received funds from the Rockefeller Foundation, and substantial funding later from SIDA through the Stockholms Statsteater. John Kani and Barney Simon were the founding directors and Mark Fleishman was the first administrator. Other administrators have been Tale Motsepe and Vanessa Cooke.

The Lab opened in October 1989 in a small warehouse under the highway in Goch Street, Newtown, where professional tutors ran practical as well as theoretical courses for aspiring actors. The Lab quickly became a platform for young artists to meet and engage creatively and collaboratively, first in apartheid South Africa and later in the new democracy. Gradually the success of the Drama School led to other programmes initiated by the Laboratory, including the community theatre programmes which have resulted in the annual Community Theatre Festival and Zwakala Festival, which showcase performances from around the country and which have unearthed hidden theatrical talents.

Today the Market Theatre Laboratory is based in The Bus Factory – 3 Helen Joseph Street, Newtown. It has developed into one of the premiere training facilities of its kind in Southern Africa. It has trained exceptional performers and theatre-makers including Olive Schreiner Award winner Phillip Dikotla, three Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year winners, Monageng Motshabi (2016), Prince Lamla (2013), and Mncedisi Shabangu (2014), and SAFTA award winners Harriet Manamela, Warren Masemola and Lindiwe Ndlovu. In addition, the Lab has been recognised on multiple platforms for creating excellent theatre that engages with human rights issues.

The Market Theatre Laboratory Drama School/Ramolao Makhene Drama School

The school offered an intensive practical two year course in basic theatre and performance skills for marginalised aspirant actors.

The school used professional theatre practitioners as tutors as they would impart not only the theoretical background but also give of their practical work experience. It soon became a platform for young artists to meet, interact, engage and discuss issues affecting the arts industry and creative processes.

The school was renamed the Ramolao Makhene Drama School after the passing of the renowned actor, though the title does not seem to be used much. Their theatre, the Ramolao Makhene Theatre, was also named after him.

The National Fieldwork Programme

This programme has worked with hundreds of community groups over the years and its success is evident in the annual Community Theatre Festivals and Zwakala Festivals.

The Writing Programme

With the assistance of Zakes Mda the lab started a writing workshop, which led to the development of a number of new South African plays.

Fieldworkers Festival/Market Laboratory Community Theatre Festival

The project was started to prepare and present the work of 50 community theatre groups and present a showcase of these in a semi-professional setting. The second co-ordinator Tale Motsepe initiated the Community Theatre Festival (known then as the Fieldworkers Festival). This festival became an annual event with groups coming from all the provinces.