Arts and Culture activities
In line with the department’s theme for the year 2016 as “The Year of Free State Artists” the department currently has various programmes in place in order to unearth the vast amount of talent found in the province and as stated in the 2016/17 Budget Vote, “The department will continue to expand and intensify our arts and culture programmes to maximize participation by artists and create opportunities for them to showcase their God-given talents.”
In this regard, there are various ongoing programmes that the department continues to implement and they are as follows:
Program 1 - Puppetry Program:
The department facilitated auditions for the identification of puppeteers and directors. 20 puppeteers were identified and four Directors. The script is based on the South African national symbols focusing mainly on the Flag and the National Anthem. Each district is allocated 10 performances to the identified Early Childhood Development Centres and Primary Schools. Puppeteers and Directors will be paid production fees.
The two day workshop consisted of 20 puppeteers, Directors and officials from Arts and Culture. The attendants were provided with accommodation and meals. The objective of the workshop was to give the puppeteers a sense on manipulation and presentation focusing on:
- Training in manipulation of puppets
- Animating puppets
- Finding the ideal character or voice for the puppets
- Voice coaching and projection
- Interpreting and learning the script
- Working with children
- Interpreting and responding to the audience feedback
- Challenges of live performances
Performances
22 August 2016 - 22 September 2016 in the five (5) districts of the Free State. Actual venues will be aired on community radio stations.
Program 2 - Pantsula Competitions:
Pantsula is a word derived from Zulu that means to “waddle like a duck” or alternatively to “walk with protruded buttocks," as this position characterizes the dance. Pantsula was the main form of entertainment of the rebellious youths in the township and also dominated fashion styles for township youths. Pantsula just as kwaito music was indigenous art forms developed in objection to the principles of Apartheid. The dance form requires dexterity, flat footed tap and glide steps, emphasis on fast footwork, rhythm and beat.
The Competition is open to:
1. Emerging, Semi – professional and Professional levels
2. Schools or Community as participatory audience
3. Free State groups
Prizes
1. Cash prizes will be awarded at District level
a. R15 000 per district
i. R3000 3rd Prize
ii. R5000 2nd Prize
iii. R7000 1st Prize
2. Cash prizes will be awarded at Provincial level
a. R45 000 Provincial 3 overall winners
i. R10000 3rd Prize
ii. R15000 2nd Prize
iii. R25000 1st Prize
Both the District and Provincial Competitions will take place on 27 August 2016, Frankfort at 9h00 – 20h00.
Program 3 - Homebrew Theatre and Dance District Festivals – 2 days:
Homebrew Theatre and Dance Festival is a performing arts program with its target market being the theatre practitioner; drama, comedy, poetry, musical theatre, traditional and contemporary dance who have started practicing between 1995 and 2015. The Directorate’s assessment of the situation in the Free State is such that there is glaring void at the level of informed definition of theatre and dance activities within the sector.
The debates and identity are not stimulated. The theatrical creative energies are not harnessed and channeled properly for sustainability purposes. Therefore, this called upon Performing, Visual and Craft Sub-Directorate to conceive a theatre and dance festival program with the view to building capacity in theatre producing and appreciation among the theatre practitioners of the Free State. The Directorate found it appropriate to build a program that is relevantly responsive to the needs of the theatre practitioners of the province.
Homebrew Theatre and Dance District Festivals – 2 days
A district festival will be open to all applications from groups/companies and organizations practicing/presenting drama, comedy, poetry, musical theatre and dance. All participating entities will be practitioners who are out of school and adults.
No scholars/learners must be part of the casts:
- Dance will be defined as traditional and/or contemporary and will be limited to a minimum of 45 minutes but not exceeding 60 minutes.
- Drama production will be defined as one act play and limited to a minimum of 45 minutes but not exceeding 60 minutes.
- Poets will be expected to render 4 poems but not less 2.
- Comedy will be story/theme based not jokes and limited to maximum 45 minutes.
- Musical theatre will have drama, poetry, music and dance if necessary and shall be limited to 80 minutes should there be 1 entry, if entries are more than 1 the duration will be limited to 60 minutes.
The purpose is for the Performing, Visual and Craft Sub-Directorate to be able to make selections for various exit platforms post Macufe Homebrew Theatre and Dance Festival.
Program 4 - Clap and Tap Provincial Competitions:
All the District competitions have been completed in all the districts. The provincial competitions are held as follows:
Kroonstad
Civic Theatre
28 August
Program 5 - KARI – Musical Theatre:
Moses Lechuti is one of the most renowned theatre writer and director in the Free State province. The theatre sector considers him to be one of the living legends in theatre. He is a self-taught actor/director and writer who has shared wisdom with the likes of Tony Kgorogoe, Ras Pule Hlatswayo to mention few. Current talent that can be sourced in Mangaung in the theatre sector has worked and learned from Moses Lechuti.
The script is set in the farms and the play celebrates the history and lifestyles of farm dwellers. The script tells the story of Nkoko (Gogo) who once lived in the farm called Karie with her granddaughter and Kgeola the father and husband to Nkoko. Kgeola has bad luck and misfortunes in which he must conduct a ritual to cleanse.
This ritual involves getting a white cock which unfortunately there is only one (1) that fits the specifications in the farm. With the sacrifice and death of the cock, the farm gets lost in determining time of the day because the cock played a sacred role on TIME in the farm. The production uses folk tale, indigenous storytelling, traditional music, ritual games as creative tools to address moral issues, customs, values and spirit of Ubuntu. This production is relevant families.
Performances:
Bloemfontein
Civic Theatre
26th September – 1 October
Enquiries:
Tankiso Zola
Director: Communication and IT
Cell: 082 940 2392
Tel: 051 4104742/4786/4735
Email: tankiso@sacr.fs.gov.za
