A group of five theatre artists from the Free State have made the cut to feature in the second Yarona Arts Festival, set to take place in January.
This is a flagship development initiative of the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (Pacofs). Next year’s festival is scheduled to take place from 30 January to 1 February at the Pacofs Theatre in Bloemfontein.
The chosen community theatre production groups being offered the opportunity to showcase local talent on a professional stage are: Boitelo Theatre Production from Botshabelo, the Usung Artist Foundation from Welkom, the Happy Soul Theatre Movement from Sasolburg, Bapala Creative Arts from Qwaqwa, and Modumo Creative Production from Smithfield.
The groups’ selection was the culmination of a boot camp conducted at Pacofs in August.
Maseeta Makgabane, artistic director, said the groups were selected through auditions conducted in all five Free State districts.
“The selected groups have now been attached to a mentor or facilitator.
“These mentors have been working with the selected theatre groups for the past two months, imparting skills and knowledge, ensuring the productions are ready to go on commercial stages,” explained Makgabane.
“The incubator programme includes artistic activities that improve awareness and identity, as well as developing talent, and facilitate employability to enhance the quality of the lives of artists, while also contributing to the realisation of their dreams and aspirations.”
According to Makgabane, the audition process afforded more than 100 artists in the Free State the opportunity to showcase and examine their artistic works.
“Safe spaces were created for creativity and innovation. This was done by injecting financial assistance and transferring skills, and providing support for various developmental productions.”
Makgabane said the incubator programme was driven by multiple stakeholders and playhouses nationally.
It aims at fostering the growth of multi-disciplined artists in drama, music and dance.
