CONTEMPORARY SOUTH AFRICAN THEATRE
WORKSHOP THEATRE
- Described as “a continual process of revision”
- A process of continual editing
- An oral form: available to all people regardless of education and literacy background
Background
- Successful in South Africa during Apartheid when the white dominated government
made funds available only for ‘traditional’ European style theatre performances which
appealed to minority audiences
- Creative black performers were lacking in funding and support had to be inventive and
resourceful
- Resulting in: Authentic , unfeigned productions
Workshop Theatre properties
- Grows and develops organically
- Grows as a result of the sharing of ideas , collaborating and brainstorming
- The director and actor work together cooperatively in order to create an entirely original
production
- Ideas are pooled broadly and are not limited to the confines of the vision of a playwright
who offers a pre-written script
- Alternative theatre that does not rely on text
- Not chronological
- Described as a “communal act”
The role of the Facilitator (Director)
- Work alongside the cast
- Not in charge of the cast
- Does not accept responsibility for the cast
- Is an equal member of the team and plays a role in the creation of the production
- The responsibility for the production falls on all participants
The Role of the participants
- Participants rely on each other and trust one another to create the production
- Participants draw on each others energy and utilise unique skills and experience of the
team
- All participants must be enthusiastic,committed and highly energetic in rehearsals
- Collective energy is important for a significant and meaningful creation process
WORKSHOP THEATRE
- Described as “a continual process of revision”
- A process of continual editing
- An oral form: available to all people regardless of education and literacy background
Background
- Successful in South Africa during Apartheid when the white dominated government
made funds available only for ‘traditional’ European style theatre performances which
appealed to minority audiences
- Creative black performers were lacking in funding and support had to be inventive and
resourceful
- Resulting in: Authentic , unfeigned productions
Workshop Theatre properties
- Grows and develops organically
- Grows as a result of the sharing of ideas , collaborating and brainstorming
- The director and actor work together cooperatively in order to create an entirely original
production
- Ideas are pooled broadly and are not limited to the confines of the vision of a playwright
who offers a pre-written script
- Alternative theatre that does not rely on text
- Not chronological
- Described as a “communal act”
The role of the Facilitator (Director)
- Work alongside the cast
- Not in charge of the cast
- Does not accept responsibility for the cast
- Is an equal member of the team and plays a role in the creation of the production
- The responsibility for the production falls on all participants
The Role of the participants
- Participants rely on each other and trust one another to create the production
- Participants draw on each others energy and utilise unique skills and experience of the
team
- All participants must be enthusiastic,committed and highly energetic in rehearsals
- Collective energy is important for a significant and meaningful creation process
