H.B. Thom Teater
The H.B. Thom Teater is the name of a purpose built University theatre in Stellenbosch.
Also found as H.B. Thom Theatre in English.
History
Originally built for the University of Stellenbosch Drama Department in 1966 at the behest of the then head of the department, Prof Fred Engelen, the venue was named after the incumbent rector and vice-chancellor of the University, Prof H.B. Thom[1], in recognition of his support.
From 1966 till 1995, productions starring staff members and professional actors alongside students were billed as Universiteitsteater Stellenbosch, to distinguish such productions from smaller scale, student only, training productions. This changed when the department largely ceased the practice of involving professional actors, and mostly used students only. After this no distinction was made and all productions were billed as Departement Drama/Drama Department.
In 2016-2017 the theatre complex was revamped and enlarged, and in 2018 it was renamed the Adam Small Theatre Complex, after the South African poet, playwright and academic, Adam Small.
For more information on the management and activities of the venue, , see the entry Stellenbosch University Drama Department
Sources
Brochure on the H.B. Thom Theatre, University of Stellenbosch, prepared for the inauguration ceremony of the theatre in 1966.
File of documents on HB Thom Productions, found in the Stellenbosch Drama Department's theatre archives and now held in the Performing Arts Research Collection (PARC) at the Africa Open Institute for Music, Research and Innovation, with offices at Pieter Okkers House, 7 Joubert Street, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
See the Departmental website at http://www.sun.ac.za/Drama
PICS: Stellenbosch University to name theatre complex after Adam Small, IOL News, 29 August 2018[2]
"Totsiens Thom", Die Matie, Vol 77, no 10: 5 September, 2018.
Programme for the inauguration ceremony of the Adam Small Theatre Complex, 23 November 2018.
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