"Bringing theatre to the people".
Running for the second edition this year, the Umsindo Theatre festival takes
place in the heart of the vibrant kasi Umlazi on February 22, 2020.
It kicks off with an essential fundamental for
every developing artist who seeks to be regarded as a professional one day,
which is to get involved and engaging in developmental-based workshops. A full
two days will solely be for Master classes in Dance, Music, Theatre and Visual
Arts conducted by industry experts.
Musawenkosi Shabalala, CEO of Umsindo theatre
projects explains: “The festival doesn't only seek to expose artists to quality
training, improve their artistic knowledge network and encourage collaboration
and cultural exchanges. It also aims to largely expose the people of Umlazi and
surrounding areas with an experience of theatre undertaking the opportunity to
address pressing social ills we are currently undergoing as a People, using
performing arts as a tool.”
Who better to provide this platform to the
theatre community groups than Umsindo Theatre Projects who, like those groups who
came from humble beginnings, have gone to grow strength to strength. The
organisation was formulated in 2002 by award-winning theatre writers, Directors
and performing artists Musawenkosi Shabalala and the late Bongumusa Shabalala.
Since its inception, the company has successfully produced several educational
plays which extensively toured schools and community halls around Umlazi and
Durban.
The Company has also trained and developed a
number of artists who are now recognised professionally and work abroad in The Lion
King, uZalo & Mzansi Magic
drama series eHostela just to mention
a few. UTP has worked with highly recognised art organisations and departments
such as The Playhouse Company, Eager Artists productions, Theatre Groep Siberia
(Holland), Stut Theatre (Holland), Stable Theatre, Wushwini Arts and Heritage
Centre, Ekhaya Multi Art Centre, Thambo theatre producers, Department of Arts
and Culture, Department of Education, Ethekwini Municipality and many more.
The Umsindo 2nd Annual Theatre festival 2020
will take place from February 18 to 19 with Master classes and workshops at W
section Umlazi Cinema Hall from 09h00 to 16h00 and close off with community
theatre groups showcasing their plays at D section Umlazi Hall on the February 22
from 09h00 to 18h00.
All interested community theatre groups should
send their full details including two contact details, name of group, name of
the play and email address to Festival Director Goso on 065 862 3920 or Arts
co-ordinator Gugu 073 806 7712
The festival is made possible by the generous
partnership of eThekwini Municipality through their Arts and Living Cultures
Department and Wushwini Pan African Centre.
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