Playhouse Company
The Playhouse Company is a Theatre production company based at The Playhouse in Durban, and operates as an agency of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.
Contents
- 1 History
- 2 Strategic overview
- 3 Finances
- 4 Seasons
- 4.1 Schools Programmes
- 4.2 Ingoma Competition
- 4.3 Community Arts Mentorship Programme
- 4.4 New Stages
- 4.5 SA Women’s Arts Festival
- 4.6 Isicathamiya Competition
- 4.7 Community Arts Festival at the Playhouse
- 4.8 Christmas Season
- 4.9 Okwethu Community Arts Festival (outreach)
- 4.10 Community Conversations
- 4.11 Sundowner Concerts and Poetry Sessions
- 4.12 Test Driving the Arts Concerts
- 5 Productions
- 6 Sources
- 7 For more information
- 8 Return to
History
A company founded in 1995 and launched on 11th February 1995 by Johan Zietsman, CEO of NAPAC, to be the resident production company for The Playhouse in Durban.
Strategic overview
Vision
Inspiring and cultivating artistic excellence and cultural diversity in the performing arts.
Mission
In achieving the above vision, The Playhouse Company describes its mission as:
We advance, promote and preserve the performing arts by:
- Balancing the transformation agenda and commercial programming, in a manner that facilitates social cohesion and nation building;
- Producing and presenting productions with artistic, entertainment and educational value;
- Supporting life skills education and arts appreciation through artistic programming, and skills development for arts practitioners and training for staff;
- Ensuring quality experiences for our audiences, and providing opportunities to interact across culture, race and class;
- and the preservation of the historic landmark that is The Playhouse
Finances
In the 2004/5 financial year, the Playhouse Company in Durban received R4,5 million from the Department of Arts and Culture in KwaZulu Natal and just over R1 million from the eThekwini Municipality.
Seasons
Schools Programmes
Held from February to March. This initiative reaches out to senior primary and high school learners. Presented both on tour and at the Playhouse. It includes learning aid programmes, to assist in the understanding of set works, as well as productions that highlight moral community values.
Ingoma Competition
Held in March. The Playhouse Company’s annual Ingoma Competition is a splendid showcase for traditional Zulu dance groups to compete with each other before crowds of admirers.
Community Arts Mentorship Programme
Run in March - April. A holistic learning aid process stretching over two months offers young artists entering the profession the opportunity to engage with high end mentors and seasoned professional arts practitioners in the fields of vocal coaching, script development, acting, direction, movement, and arts administration. At the end of the programme, the mentees get to present the productions they have created before an audience
New Stages
Held in May. It is a platform to showcase new South African theatre works. The primary focus is on the development of works that reflect contemporary South Africa’s artistic and diverse heritage. It is also offered as the Company’s salute to Africa Month.The season also celebrates Africa Month.
SA Women’s Arts Festival
Held in August. This flagship festival artistic works that highlight contributions made by women in society. The curation of stage productions showcases established female arts practitioners in the fields of drama, music and dance, also giving a platform to their new generation peers. Auxiliary features of the festival include beadwork expos and art exhibitions, as well as free Community Conversation sessions led by artists, community leaders and businesswomen.
Isicathamiya Competition
Held in September. The Playhouse Company presents this unique a-cappella song-and-dance phenomenon annually as part of indigenous arts performances.
Community Arts Festival at the Playhouse
Held in October. Up and coming arts practitioners are given an opportunity to showcase their works.
Christmas Season
In December. Large-scale live productions promoting an enriching spirit of holiday cheer among the audiences.
Okwethu Community Arts Festival (outreach)
In December. This outreach initiative allows entry level arts practitioners the chance to benefit of from professional skills sharing that is extended to them by the Playhouse team and its associates.
Community Conversations
Held quarterly. Regular stakeholder consultative forums with the arts community.
Sundowner Concerts and Poetry Sessions
Held monthly. These free events, held on the first Friday of the month, offer poetry and jazz enthusiasts the opportunity to unwind at the end the day in the convivial surroundings of The Playhouse’s main foyer.
Test Driving the Arts Concerts
Monthly. Conceived as a performance opportunity for upcoming young artists to perform in front of an audience, these free lunch concerts feature isipantsula, hip-hip, kwaito, kathak, indlamu, and gospel among other genres.
Productions
2006: My Fair Lady
2009: My Fair Lady
2013: Evita (with Durban University of Technology)
Sources
http://www.playhousecompany.com/
Johann van Heerden. 2008. Theatre in a new democracy. Some major trends in South African theatre from 1994 to 2003. D.Phil Thesis. University of Stellenbosch.
For more information
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