(Above: A scene from “The Tree Song”)
Drama for Life probes theatre as a tool for democracy at free online festival
Subtitled The Fire | The Fight | The Fiction?, this free virtual event is being presented by Wits University’s Drama for Life (DFL) department in partnership with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).
The 13th DFL conference and festival marks the completion of a three-year research project with NTNU and includes the launch of the latest DFL research publication – an open-access book of research findings from the Theatre in Democracy Project.
The Performing Democracy conference and festival will take the form of a number of workshops, presentations and interactive sessions, interspersed with thought-provoking performances throughout the three days, interrogating the role theatre and storytelling can play in nurturing healing, inclusion and equality in a society such as South Africa.
Says Dr Petro Janse van Vuuren, head of department for Drama for Life: “I’m so looking forward to the conference and am very excited about all the people who will come and spend time thinking and talking and innovating around how the theatre can become a democratic place again, accessible to all – and a place where things that are not usually seen become visible and are made SEEN. We invite everybody to join, because if you come, our intention is also to SEE you.”
Expect challenging performances by the likes of Bongani Nicholas Ngomane, Baeletsi Tsatsi, Muvo Hlogwana and Sanelisiwe Dlamini, as well as dance solos by The Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative learners that may be accessed via a dedicated WhatsApp line, followed by a “talk-back” session. Another performance to look out for is Paul Noko’s play Kwaito in Slaghuis.
Speakers will include Phylemon Oghiambo Okoth unpacking how puppetry and folk media has helped enhance community participation in the political process in Kenya; Tamara Shultz (Guhrs) with a performance-lecture on the intriguing notion of mycelic practice and what it means to have agency in an uncertain world; and Herbert Chibvongodze on the vital role drama therapy and storytelling can play in healing past traumas.
Also on the festival programme is PJ Sabbagha on how The Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative made its My Body My Space public arts festival accessible to all; Sarah Saddler with a presentation on industrial theatre and corporate democracy titled We are like a giant potjiekos; and Kai Crooks Chissano presenting research on how theatre can facilitate equality and contribute to effective democracy, using Grade 6 learners whose mother tongue is an African language as a case study.
Come and listen to critical conversations and witness artistic works related to issues of democracy, both historical and contemporary, as Drama for Life explores the potential of theatre (and the challenges it faces) in dealing with community-specific democratic issues.
Performing Democracy: The Fire | The Fight | The Fiction? is open to all to attend.
To book your Zoom seat for each session or event, please consult the programme or visit the “Performing Democracy” Facebook page.
More information about Drama for Life is available at https://www.dramaforlife.co.za/.
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The fight. The fiction?
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