Exciting times have dawned for theatre enthusiasts in Gauteng with the return of the Ishashalazi Theatre Festival, currently lighting up stages across the province with dazzling performances from development groups, organised by the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation.
The festival, which started on the 17th of September and is scheduled to run until March 2012, is a culmination of auditions held by the department across Gauteng since May this year.
Ishashalazi is aimed at unearthing, developing and nurturing talent in theatre, and providing a platform for performers to showcase their talent, this is done in partnership with the Gauteng Theatre Practitioners Committee.
The programme has successfully provided theatre groups with the chance to hone their skills through advance training and has also handed a number of others with opportunities to participate in major events such as the Grahamstown National Arts Festival.
Adding to the excitement for this year, 6 high profile productions will also be participating as commissioned productions in the festival, including Sizwe Banzi Is Dead by the Market Theatre.
The festival will culminate to Gauteng Ishashalazi Theatre Awards 2012 to be held at the Soweto Theatre on the 27th of March 2012.
The schedule of the festival is as follows:
| Date | Venue | Company | Production |
| 17 September 2011 |
Ekangala | Magnificat Performing Artists | Dialogue |
| 17 September 2011 | Ekangala | Nwalungu Arts and Culture Network | June 13 |
| 17 September 2011 | Ekangala | Tembisa Young Generation | The Bar |
| 17 September 2011 | Ekangala | Mthakathi Theatre | Sins of a Man |
| 18 September 2011 | Ekangala | Rutanang Community Theatre Project | Stop the Rod |
| 18 September 2011 | Ekangala | Arts Cousins Theatre | The Moment When Love Hurts |
| 18 September 2011 | Ekangala | Abangani Theatre | Shattered Dreams |
| 25 September 2011 | Rhu Hlatshwayo | TX Production | After Tears |
| 25 September 2011 | Rhu Hlatshwayo | Ubizo Ma-Afrika | Sibongile’s Death |
| 25 September 2011 | Rhu Hlatshway | Children of Light | It’s enough |
| 25 September 2011 | Rhu Hlatshwayo | Monnyth Art House | Next Sunday |
| 25 September 2011 | Rhu Hlatshwayo | Victory Sonqoba | uShaka Zulu |
| 1 October 2011 | Carletonville CC | Teleios Korban | Him 23 |
| 1 October 2011 | Carletonville CC | Flowers of the Nation | Etoilet |
| 1October 2011 | Carletonville CC | Black Child Theatre | Silo Ledipogiso |
| 1 October 2011 | Carletonville CC | African Golden Horns | Fleshes in His Soul |
| 1 October 2011 | Carletonville CC | Digkolo Ditaba Arts Productions | Bound By Love |
| 2 October 2011 | Uncle Tom’s Hall | Kharifatane Theatre | Rock, Paper, Scissors |
| 2 October 2011 | Uncle Tom’s Hall | Tswelopele Performing Artists | Fornication |
| 2 October 2011 | Uncle Tom’s Hall | Africa Entle | The Calabash Runs Dry |
| 2 October 2011 | Uncle Tom’s Hall | Diarora Perfoming | Lavas |
| 2 October 2011 | Uncle Tom’s Hall | Diarts Konageng | Sizwe Banzi is Dead |
| 17 March 2012 | Vereeniging CC | Isinamuva Theatre | Too Late |
| 17 March 2012 | Vereeniging CC | The Living News | Paper Conclusion |
| 18 March 2012 | Vereeniging CC | Mzini Dramatic Arts | Seipati |
| 27 March 2012 |
Soweto Theatre | World Theatre Day | Ishashalazi Awards |
Enquiries:
Nomazwe Ntlokwana
Tel: 011 355 2578
Cell: 083 507 8068
E-mail: nomazwe.ntlokwana@gauteng.gov.za
