‘Vote For Me’ probes self-rule

DIRECTOR: ‘WE ALL HAVE RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE DEMOCRACY KEEPS SUCCEEDING’

Play develops conversation on leadership and audience engages with actors.

It’s an election year in South Africa and even the theatre world is coming to the party with a new stage play exposing young people to democracy, leadership and the value of using our votes responsibly.

The title also refers to the idea of voting on behalf of the youth. This is because who parents vote for will also have implications for their children.

To be staged at the National Children’s Theatre (NCT), it aims to conscientise teenagers and their families in the build-up to the next national elections.

The play is a collaboration between the Kwasha! Theatre Company, the Windybrow

Arts Centre, the

Market Theatre Foundation and NCT.

“Vote For Me is about unpacking the idea of leadership,” said director Lesedi Job. “With South Africa approaching elections, and 30 years since democracy, many of us are still coming to grips with what we require from leaders.

“Many of our cast members are young people who will be voting this year.

“The play is in part a conversation with them around leadership. We extend that conversation further – to an even younger generation – saying ‘you can’t vote right now.

“But when the time comes, what kind of people would you vote for?”

The play is an unconventional production that walks a journey from the past to the future, while developing a conversation around leadership, and allowing the audience to engage with the actors.

During each show, the cast works with the audience to try to assemble their idea of the ideal leader, someone who will serve the people, and plot a way forward for the next generation.

Vote For Me is co-produced by The Windybrow Arts Centre and National Children’s Theatre, written by Ameera Patel, and directed by Job, who has also workshopped the play with the cast during rehearsals, coming up with a range of ideas, structures and scenarios to bring the story to life. The play is choreographed by Julia Burnham, sound design by Sne Dlala and set and costumes are designed by Thando Lobese.

This exciting, experimental play has a cast of five, and is aimed at teenagers, from Grade 7 to Grade 11.

The play is a great way for schools and parents to prepare children to become active citizens in the future.

Job earned a drama honours degree at Wits University, then worked as an actress for about 15 years before becoming a theatre director. In 2017 she won a Best Director Naledi award for her directorial debut, When Swallows Cry.

She has also won awards for Best New South African Script and Best Production, and is a recipient of the Sophie Mgcina Emerging Voice Award, and the Mbokodo Women in Arts Award for Theatre.

“What drew me to this production was the opportunity to create new South African work that is perfectly relevant to our society,” said Job.

“We all have a responsibility to ensure that this democracy continues to be a success. Plays like Vote For Me are a way of doing that – for ourselves and for the next generation.” –