Drama for Life Creative Research Hub goes mobile at the National Arts Festival

It’s all systems go for Drama for Life as they make their way to the National Arts Festival, the biggest annual celebration of the arts in Africa

The Drama for Life Creative Research Hub, in partnership with the National Arts Festival, will premiere a variety of original, new performances for children, families and older youth, experiential workshops for artists and community-practitioners; and the highly competitive REMIX Laboratory programme for selected community-based theatre practitioners from across South Africa. The REMIX Laboratory offers community-based artists an opportunity to experience the Festival ‘In Residence’ under the guided mentorship and leadership of Drama for Life professionals. 

This year, the Drama for Life Creative Research Hub will be launching its Arts in Conversation series of critical conversations in partnership with National Arts Festival’s THINK!FEST. Facilitated by expert Applied Arts Facilitators, these conversations seek to explore the construction of new performance terrains, methods and content in the South African landscape. The conversations, curated by Drama for Life’s Warren Nebe, will draw together emerging thought leaders and artists to grapple with complex questions about re-imagining the South African arts and culture landscape. Be prepared for engaged, active dialogues that will seek to disrupt the current status quo!

In addition to its home base at the newly renovated Public Library, the Drama for Life Creative Research Hub will reach out to children and youth across the Makana Municipality with applied arts workshops which aim to provide meaningful, playful and informative performances for children, youth and adults

The Drama for Life Creative Research Hub, in partnership with the National Arts Festival will include:

Mainane! - a magical journey, a rite of passage, about a group of children who overcome seemingly insurmountable struggles in a land of on-going strife, anguish and outright conflict.  Mainane! is directed by Warren Nebe and presented by Drama for Life Theatre Company in partnership with Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project. Mainane! will show at the Library Hall daily from 3-8 July at 16h00. The performance on 7 July will be followed by a post-show discussion.

Insta-Grammar – is a heart-wrenching story about speaking and keeping love in the whirlwind of the Instagram and SnapChat era. Insta-Grammar is directed by Hamish Neill in collaboration with the Drama for Life Theatre Company. Insta-Grammar is aimed at 15+ year old and is presented by Drama for Life Theatre Company in partnership with Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project. Insta-Grammar will be performed daily at the Library Hall at 10h00 from 3-8 July with a post-show discussion following the 10h00 show on 4 July.

Space Rocks - a new play aimed at audiences between the ages of 5 and 8 years old. It combines science, technology and mythology to create an innovative and playful theatrical experience about early childhood development and emotional growth. This beautifully crafted play is written by Tamara Schulz and directed by Craig Morris. Space Rocks shows daily from 3-8 July at 13h00, a post-show discussion will be held after the 13h00 performance on 6 July.

Kasi Stories: Stories not Often Told - Kasi Stories asks pertinent questions about the failure of the father figure in the South African context. Kasi Stories: Stories not Often Told is directed by Benjamin Bell and features Lebogang Mphahlele and Thulani Mtsweni. Kasi Stories: Stories not Often Told will show daily at 18h00 from 3-8 July. A post-show discussion will be held after the 18h00 performance on 6 July.

Following last year’s successful REMIX Laboratory programme, Drama for Life will again be offering two Wits accredited short courses in Grahamstown, namely The New Consciousness in Cultural Leadership and The Stories of Identities.

For further information visit the Drama for Life Creative Research Hub at the Library Hall or see the National Arts Festival programme.

About Drama for Life

Drama for Life, based at the University of the Witwatersrand, is an arts centre for social transformation and healing. It is dedicated to transforming arts, culture and heritage research, education and practice in Africa. Our commitment toward South Africa is found in our academic, short course and community engagement programmes and projects throughout the country. This commitment is embedded in a belief that the performing arts have the ability to give voice, respect and dignity to all who live in our country. The arts enable us to imagine new narratives and to experience a new consciousness.

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