Zabalaza to bring the best out of aspiring thespians
THE Zabalaza Theatre Festival is a proving ground. It is a space where young undiscovered talent can make their mark and blossom into stars of the stage.
Now in its seventh year, the Zabalaza Theatre Festival finds 56 different productions and 300 artists from across the country heading to Cape Town to take participate.
Participants from Knysna, Wellington, Oudtshoorn, Swellendam, Bredasdorp and Paarl form the biggest part of the programme, while there are two productions each from the Eastern Cape, Johannesburg and Pretoria and one from Durban.
Six different languages will also be represented at festival. In addition to English and Afrikaans, theatregoers will also be able to enjoy productions in IsiXhosa, IsiZulu, Sesotho and Setswana.
The participants for the festival are chosen from smaller festivals in Worcester, Nyanga East, Khayelitsha, Delft, the Eden Drama Festival, the Cape Winelands Festival and the Overberg Drama Festival.
The festival also plays host to multiple genres. In addition to the traditional theatre disciplines, this year will see the introduction of reggae in the musical theatre category.
The team behind this uplifting festival are artistic director Thami Mbongo, co-ordinator Zoleka Helesi, executive manager Bongile Mantsai, administrator Akhona Shinga and audience development officer Monde Myataza.
The full name of the festival, Zabalaza Intsika eBaxter Theatre, means two things: striving towards being a pillar of the Baxter Theatre Centre and striving towards success.
That spirit is evident in the awarding of the Best of Zabalaza title, in which the most deserving production is given access to an invaluable mentorship that will raise the standard of their craft. They will then be able to re-stage their work in a fully professional setting at the Baxter theatre.
Similarly, actors that are deemed worthy also get nominated to audition for the popular TV productions 7de Laan and Suidooster. In 2016 all the actors who auditioned were awarded cameo roles in these South African soapies. These young thespians include William Michaels, Robyn September and Llewellyn Bond, who appeared in the series Suidooster.
The Zabalaza Festival has proved to be a huge stepping stone for young theatre talent
Khayalethu Anthony, who won the 2014 Best Production of Zabalaza Festival performed the coveted role of Solomon opposite Dame Janet Suzman in Solomon and Marion, for which he received a Naledi award for Best Newcomer. His production of The Champion which won the 2014 Best of Zabalaza award, went on to win a coveted Naledi Award, as well as a Fleur du Cap for his subsequent work.
Poseletso Sejosingoe, hailed as the Zabalaza Best Actress in 2012, is currently touring internationally with the musical The Lion King.
“We are deeply thankful for the continued support and partnership of the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport,” says Thami Mobongo.
“Zabalaza is way more than just an annual festival to showcase the works of talented artists who would never have had access to such opportunities. It is about building a community of theatre-makers, guiding them and caring for their development every step of the way. Every year I am encouraged by not only the work but also the support and faith that these artists have in us. This allows us to expand the programme for artists and audiences so that we are able to build a community and live the spirit of Zabalaza.”
Tickets for the festival are R30 and bookings can be made through Computicket on 0861 915 8000, online at www.computicket.com or at any Shoprite/Checkers outlet. For discounted corporate, schools or block bookings, charities or fund-raisers, contact Sharon on 021 680 3962, e-mail sharon.ward@uct.ac.za or Carmen on 021 680 3993, e-mail carmen.kearns@uct.ac.za.