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Thursday, February 13, 2020

2ND ANNUAL UMSINDO THEATRE FESTIVAL


"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.