(Stable
Theatre)
An exciting arts development programme
titled Trendsetters is underway at Durban’s busy Stable Theatre.
Funded by the National Department of Arts
and Culture, this year-long skills-transfer pilot project, now into its fifth
month, involves nine students working together under the guidance of a seasoned
facilitator, the noted entertainment law practitioner, Johnny Dimba.
Trendsetters will follow a three-tiered
schedule over the coming months. Featured on June 13 will be the following presentations:
(Admission to both events is free)
10h00: Youth dialogue programme, titled Arts, Culture, Heritage Into Socio Economic
Development).
13h00: A freshly-conceived new musical
theatre production titled Amanzi Amnyama
(Black Water) of 45 minutes duration
A Trendsetters beautification outreach
project will follow in September 2014, when a public space to be identified
will be upgraded by the nine Trendsetters involved in the programme as an
exercise in encouraging responsible citizenship.
“We salute the National Department of Arts
and Culture for its faith in backing the Trendsetters project,” says Stable
Theatre Manager, Thanduxolo Zulu. “NDAC’s foresight in this regard has enabled
Stable Theatre to play an active role in strengthening South Africa’s Arts
industry through this invaluable skills transfer facility.”
Thanduxolo Zulu’s enthusiasm is shared by
facilitator Johnny Dimba, an expert in the field of intellectual property who
has served on advisory panels to more than one national minister of Arts and
Culture.
Dimba nurtures a passion for equipping
aspirant arts practitioners with the skills needed to run their own careers
successfully. “South African artists need not buy into the perception that a
career in the arts will inevitably lead to their being exploited, abused and
poor in material terms,” he says. “We can reverse this situation by building a
culture of self-empowerment. While formal tertiary education furnishes young
people with degrees and diplomas in performance arts, there are still glaring
gaps to fill. We need to ensure young people have a practical grasp of the arts
environment on the ground, so that they can operate as competent entertainment
law technicians.”
He cites practical areas to be covered in
order for trainees to attain independence and self-reliance in building
successful careers. These include: knowing how to draw up a legally binding
contract; gaining a sound grasp of copyright law; building language and media
communication skills; and coming to terms with sound arts administration
practice.
Eight successful Trendsetter applicants were
selected in response to advertisements inviting youth and young adults aged
between 18 and 35 with matric as a minimum qualification to submit their cv’s.
They are Sizwe Nzimande (Group Leader), Sibusiso Mbanjwa, Thobile Mngadi, Senzo
Zikalala, Sqiniseko Khumalo, Zandile Kunene, Ntuthuko Ndlovu, Zama Ngema and
Andisiwe Silangwe.
In support of its Trendsetter’s project,
Stable Theatre has also secured the involvement in an advisory capacity of
retired Ukhozi FM presenter and show business veteran, Eric Ngcobo. Working
with the team, which also includes junior facilitator Remember Hlongwane, he
will help oversee the Trendsetter theatre production. Centring on the themes of
Nation Building and Hope, the production is being workshopped by the project participants
with strong input from group leader, Sizwe Nzimande, a DUT performance studies
graduate.
A graduation ceremony will be held at the
conclusion of the Trendsetters programme early next year. For enquiries about
this and other exciting projects happening at Stable Theatre, log onto www.stabletheatre.co.za.
Alternatively call 031 309 2513, or email stabletheatre@telkomsa.net.
With
easy access off the N3 Warwick Triangle flyover, Stable Theatre is situated at
115 Johannes Nkosi Street (formerly Alice Street), and is supported by the KZN
Department of Arts and Culture, Ethekwini Municipality, the National Lottery
Distribution Trust Fund, the National Arts Council and the KZN Performing Arts
Trust.
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