Holiday Edition 28 December 2011

Greetings Readers.

Hope you are enjoying your holidays.

Coming up soon is the Festival of Reading New Writing.  Have you entered?


5th NLDTF / PANSA Festival of Reading New Writing: 13 january 2012 (CT, Dbn, Jhb) 
The fifth PANSA Festival of Reading of New Writing will be held in April 2012. The deadline for entries is Friday January 13, 2012.

The aims of the Festival are to generate original South African theatre works, to provide a platform for these works to reach the attention of theatre producers, and to work towards full-scale productions of the winning plays. An important component of the Festival is the discussions following the reading of each work, to encourage constructive feedback, and the debate around theatre aesthetics, functions and forms. The winning scripts in each region are re-read in the national final and are up for a Grand Prize of
R30 000.

The festivals have been a resounding success in previous years with most of the winning scripts (and numerous of those not winning as well) going on to full scale productions at a variety of theatres and festivals, both locally and internationally. Winning plays include, Salaam Stories by Ashraf Johaardien, Bungi writing finals by Finuala Dowling, Guy Willoughby’s Church Full of Light, and Mike van Graan’s Green Man Flashing and Two to Tango. More recent winners Kobus Moolman’s Stone Angel and Nicholas Spagnoletti’s London Road (Jury Runner up winner 2007) are still currently enjoying runs on the local circuit.

The scripts should be entered in one of the following categories: Comedy, Drama, 1 / 2 Hander. A panel of judges will select the five best scripts for participation in each regional Festival. Each of the selected scripts will be given a basic subsidy to fund reading rehearsals and S&T as required. The Festival will be open to writers throughout South Africa.

The basic criteria for participation are:
· All PANSA paid-up members may submit for free
· Non-PANSA paid up members will incur a R200 entry fee
· the work must be an original work
· the play must not have been published or performed before
· PANSA would have first option on producing and publishing the play (selected works may be published in a collection)
· plays should be between 70 minutes and 90 minutes long to ensure the possibility of a full-scale professional production
· there should be a maximum of 8 actors
· English should be the primary language of the play

Scripts must be typed, loose-leaf and have all pages numbered. Please include a cover page with all contact details and title of the play.

Submissions must be sent to PANSA National Office at Postnet Suite 237, Private Bag X18, Rondebosch, 7701, Cape Town by FRIDAY JANUARY 13, 2012.

Hand written submissions and those that arrive after the submission date, will not be accepted.

Writers will be notified of the outcomes by the end of February 2012. All enquiries to 021 448 3513 orinfo@pansa.org.za. 




Enjoy that Holiday and have a wonderful New Year.


From The Staff at Umhlanga Life

20 December 2011 - Auditions For Actress in Durban

Greetings dear readers.

This week we have a audition for actresses in the Durban Area.

Audtion for actresses for part of Belle in Beauty and the Beast email 
Steven Stead of Kickstart to book a time email on kickstart@letni.co.za
Auditions Fri 6 Jan 2012 between 10am and 1pm at
Playhouse Mayville Complex in Room M1
Prepare the song Home from the musical and one other song.
Looking for Professional actresses between 20 and 30 years old.
Bring backing tracks or sheet music.

Enjoy the holidays.

15 December 2011 - Mush Festival Coming Up

Good day Dear Readers.

Coming up is the Musho Festival. Looks like a wonderful line up of Theatre and
a Masterclass for Actors.

MUSHO! THEATRE FESTIVAL Of One and Two Hander Theatre

Catalina theatre, Wilson’s Wharf: 11 – 15 January

The Performing Arts Network of South Africa (PANSA) in KZN will be hosting the seventh Musho International Theatre Festival of One and Two Person Theatre, at the Catalina Theatre in Durban from 11 – 15 January 2012 featuring 16 productions over five days, all celebrating the art of the one and two-performer plays,

Musho – Zulu for an enthusiastic praise response, something similar to “Bravo!” - embraces all accepted forms of theatre: from mime to physical theatre, drama to comedy-theatre. It pays tribute to the smaller works featuring one and two performers.

After extensive research, PANSA realized that a festival early in the year staging more intimate theatrical productions is considered a useful and exciting start to the year by performers and audiences alike. Musho benefits the performers as staging their shows and collecting reviews early in the year helps them for future seasons of the production through the year. The audiences love seeing an array of fabulous theatre early in the year when calendars are quiet and when the festive flurry is over. 

“The first six festivals held in January annually from 2006 were astonishingly inspiring and successful with some fabulous productions and amazing support,” says Musho Festival Director, Emma Durden.

These are intimate productions that showcase the skill of theatre performance and storytelling, as well as covering a wide range of styles, from drama to comedy and physical theatre. 

This year’s festival line-up includes works by Dutch, South African and Indian performers, including the wonderful physical theatre show "Les Pigeons", the surfing spectacular "Bru", the tsotsi-story "Meet Bra Two-six" and the hit hip-hop show "Big Boys Don't Dance". 

The festival includes six Twist Theatre Development Project shows written and directed by award-winning theatre-makers such as Zwai Mgigima, Amy Jephta, Themi Venturas, Jerry Pooe and Neil Coppen. 

The festival is organised by PANSA KZN, the Performing Arts Network of South Africa, with support from The Daily News, Ethekwini Municipality, the KZN Department of Arts and Culture, Business and Arts South Africa and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. 

DATES AND TIMES: 
The Musho Festival runs from Wednesday 11 January 2012 until Sunday 15 January 2012 at the Catalina Theatre on Wilson's Wharf in Durban. 
Show times are 8 pm on week-days and 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and 8pm on weekends. The children's show is at 10 am on Saturday 14 January.

CONTACT DETAILS: For more details about the festival, you can visit the website on www.mushofestival.co.za or email kzn@pansa.org.za. For bookings, show times and details contact the Catalina Theatre on 031-3056889.
Programme

THE HORSESHOE (Drama)

The moving story of two young men who make the difficult decision to leave their families and go into exile. After the reach the border they realise that things are not what they seem and the struggle is almost over. When they return home, their paths diverge and while one man seems to fall into a life of luck, the other is left wondering what passed him by. "Passionate, energetic delivery of a poignant story" Cue.
Performed by Bheki Khabela and Bhekani Shablala, and created with Sduduzo Kawula. 55 minutes. Age 14 and up. 
Wednesday 11 January, 8 pm 

COMRADE BABBLE (Satire)

A political satire inspired by the rise and fall of Brett Kebble, a New South African randlord of mythic proportions, who proved to be one of our most formidable fraudsters, and orchestrated his own murder. The performance sees Kebble/Babble’s return from the dead in order to present the “truth” of his life.
Written and directed by Allan Kolski Horwitz. Performed by Renos Spanoudes and Lebohang Motaung. 80 minutes. Age 16 and up. 
Thursday 12 January, 8 pm.


BIG BOYS DON'T DANCE (Dance/comedy)

An award-winning comedy play that takes the audience on a wild journey of stereotypical male behaviour and extraordinary, highly entertaining dance routines. This incongruous recipe makes for a unique and fantastic experience that the entire family will enjoy. Directed by Vanessa Harris and performed by Bradley Searle and Ash Searle. 60 minutes. All ages.
Friday 13 January, 6 pm. 

MISTERO BUFFO (Satire/ physical theatre)

Andrew Buckland brings a wonderful adaptation of Nobel-Prize winner Dario FO’s controversial work, which combines the grotesque comedy of the Italian medieval performance traditions with razor-sharp contemporary satire. The play criticises the repressions of religious institutions and landowning classes throughout history. 
Written by Dario Fo (translated by Ed Emery). Adapted and performed by Andrew Buckland. 60 minutes. Age 16 and up.
Friday 13 January, 8 pm 

I-PUPPETi (Children’s theatre)

i-Puppeti is a comic show for primary and pre-primary children, with a vibrant use of the many different types of puppets, including sock, hand, stick, string, shadow and giant puppets. This story teaches children the valuable lessons of self-acceptance, friendship, and how anything is possible if you put your mind to it. 
Written by Clinton Marius, performed by Pume Mthombeni and Shika Budhoo. 60 minutes. All ages. 
Saturday 14 January. 10 am. 

BRU (Physical theatre / comedy)

Bru takes the pursuit of happiness to the surreal levels of the extreme. Join two surfer dudes as they escape the purgatory of the concrete jungle of Jo’burg in search of the freedom of the waves. This fun romp is a high-energy physical theatre fusion with a pair of talented young actors. 
Written and directed by written and directed by Josh Martin. Performed by Sandi Dlangala and Mikey Frederick von Bardeleben. 50 minutes. Age 12 and up. 
Saturday 14 January, 6pm.

THE SLAP KOEJAWEL & OTHER TIT BITS (comedy)This absurdly funny and touching play brings two great actresses of stage and television together .The action finds two stressed-out actresses, of a certain age, in a tatty dressing room, preparing for the first preview of a new South African play... a work not without its problems! Can they pull it off without losing what's left of their marbles? 
Created and performed by Annelisa Weiland and Vanessa Cooke. Directed by Robert Whitehead. 55 minutes. Age 16 and up.
Saturday 14 January, 8pm.

MEET BRO SIX-TWO (Drama)

A hard hitting play that gives insight in to the high rate of unemployment in South Africa. An energetic, intense and intimate physical performance. Written and Directed by the Samson M. Mlambo, and performed by Wiseman Mncube. Mentored by XXXX. 50 minutes. Age 16 and up. 
Sunday 15 January, 2pm. 

DANCING ON MY GRAVE (Drama)

A moving family drama with comic elements that deals with the themes of death, mourning and the role of family in peoples’ lives. This Dutch play comes fresh from winning best production and best actress awards at the Festival International de Théâtre in Morocco.
Created by Malou van Sluis and Denise Lukkenaer. Directed by Ferry Spigt. 
Sunday 15 January, 4pm. 

LES PIGEONS (Physical theatre / comedy)

This physical theatre piece takes a startling look into the underground world of ornithological communism, from within the minds of two in-patients. Wit and excellent comic timing characterise this interrogation into the uselessness of military interventions in times of change. Created and performed by Ryan Mayne and Tristan Jacobs. 45 minutes. Age 14 and up.
Sunday 15 January, 6pm. (Closing performance, followed by awards ceremony)

MUSHO WITH A TWIST

3 DOUBLE-BILLS FROM THE TWIST THEATRE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT


TWIST 1: Saturday 15 January, 12pm 

Life in Pictures (Drama)
A journalist uncovers a deadly secret that exposes a criminal gang-lord. His faithful henchman has no choice but to turn on the man who he thought was his protector. 
Created by Uthando Lwabaqulusi with Bheki Mkhwane; based on an original script by Themba Mkhoma. 30 minutes. Ages 14 and up.

Township Life (Drama)
A vibrant song and dance performance that looks at life in the township of KwaMashu. 
Created by the Ubuntubesizwe Theatre Group with Jerry Pooe; based on an original script by Ayanda Mkhize. 30 minutes. Ages 14 and up.

TWIST 2: Saturday 15 January, 2pm

Milk Factory (Drama)Lies, deception and dynamite: This is a tale of people adapting to a way of life that is not what they are used to. How do we deal with change when it is an unstoppable force?
Created by Emuhle All Artists with Bongani Baai and Debbie Lutge; based on an original script by Simphiwe Vikalahle. 30 minutes. Ages 14 and up.

A Bull Called Bhahlangane (Drama)
The story of brothers who come together for their father’s funeral. A tale of corruption, power and brotherly love, all focused around the father’s prize bull, Bhahlangane. 
Created by Big Brotherhood productions with Neil Coppen and Edmund Mhlongo. 30 minutes. Ages 14 and up.

TWIST 3: Saturday 15 January, 4pm

Strokes of Society (Drama) 
A moving tale of a father and daughter who is not his own child. This story brings together many of the tragic consequences of society’s anti-social behaviours including, rape, abuse, and HIV and AIDS. 
Created by Siyakha Performing Artists with Themi Venturas; based on an original script by Zwai Mgigima. 30 minutes. Ages 14 and up.

Seed (Drama) 
A father leaves his family to work in the city – he comes back with a strange fruit which his wife plants ... so that the whole family can feed from the tree. This allegorical tale explores the notion of migrant labour and HIV and AIDS. Created by Umsindo theatre Group and Vice Motshabi; based on an original script by Amy Jephta. 
30 minutes. Ages 14 and up.

MASTERCLASS

Physical theatre performer Tristan Jacobs will conduct a master-class for actors on Monday 16 January from 9.30 am until 12.00 at The BAT centre. Free for PANSA members. R 30 for others. Bookings essential: on 031-2014750

All Musho Festival performances are at the Catalina Theatre: Contact 031-3056889

PRICES
All shows R 50 per ticket
PANSA paid-members special price R 30 
OAPS and children under 12 R 30
Special all-day ticket on Saturday / Sunday - R 100 per day 

For more information, and daily reviews, see the Musho website on www.mushofestival.co.za

Wish you and yours Happy Holidays and a wonderful 2012

What's On In Durban In December

Welcome Readers

There is so much on in Durban this month.  Here are some of the events around town:

Pieter Scholtz Book Launch Invitation at St. Clements Garden Reataurant from 6:30 p.m. on Monday 12th December.

 Bookshop & Horus Publications

present the launch of Pieter Scholtz’s new novel

at St. Clements garden restaurant

Monday 12 December

6.30 for 7.00pm

RSVP Beverley 0861 341 341 or reply to this e-mail

             

           

THE TREE WHISPERER is an autobiographical fantasy. The author in the story and the author of the story are one and the same person. He writes in the preface:

'The inspiration for this story arose from some abiding memories, including,

A gnarled fig tree in the garden of the house in Eshowe where I spent my childhood.  I experienced many magical moments in the forks and hollows of that tree.

My annual visit to the Buddhist Retreat Centre near Ixopo, where I renew my acquaintance with a very special yellowwood tree.

The boardwalk over the Dlinza forest in Eshowe which lends me God's eye view of the trees.'

Angel is unusual not only for her habit of adopting different names to suit different people, she is also the 'tree whisperer' of the title.

The story is about how the author and Angel share a journey of discovery. Angel helps the author travel beyond the familiar world of fantasy which is peopled with his creations, to a world where he touches the pain and anguish of others. He discovers that the real world has many dimensions like his fantasy world, and that here really is no definitive reality.

The author helps Angel revisit the scenes of her childhood and discover how her affinity with trees was born. He also enables Angel to come to terms with the dark secret of her childhood which she has concealed from herself and from others.

MUSIC – DECEMBER 5 TO 11

RISE AT MOJOS BAR, RIVERSIDE HOTEL, DURBAN NORTH – DECEMBER 9

Durban rock electronica band Rise release their new single, I Know, at Mojo’s Bar at the Riverside Hotel on Friday December 9 at 7pm. Playing songs from both their albums the popular band will entertain with old and new dance and chill-out tunes. Entrance is free.

The Jackie Horner Pub and Grill at 47 Helen Joseph (Davenport) Road, Glenwood, hosts Graham Boyle from 6pm till late on Friday December 9.

On Saturday December 10  it’s Karaoke Party time with Spider Murch from 7pm until late.

On Sunday December 11 the “Human Jukebox” Collin Rule entertains from 1pm to 4pm and patrons can enjoy the Sunday roast special for just R49.  Call 031 202 9124 to took a table.

On Friday December 9 Origin in Clark Road, Glenwood, invites you to experience the  Labyrinth with Dutch deejays Leon Bolier and Ummet Ozcan  and P.H.A.T.T (Namibia) plus 20 local deejays. Doors open at 8pm. Tickets pre-sale (Iron Fist, Idols, Soho Stamfordhill Road and Floogy’s Takeaway) and door R120.
On Saturday December 10 international deejay Sebastian Leger shows why he is one of the most outstanding artists in the current electronic music business, an exceptionally gifted producer who is operating far beyond the French filter house clichés. Doors open at 8pm. Tickets are R80 before 9pm, R100 before 10pm, R120 after 10pm and R200 for VIP tickets.

THEATRE  DECEMBER 5 TO 31

December 5 to December 31

Hillcrest’s Heritage Theatre presents its festive season show, Boep Idles, which was such a hit with audiences last year. Featuring crowd favourites the Gee Jays – Grant Bell, John Didlick and Gary McKenzie - the musical takes a lighthearted look at the idols of yesteryear from Cliff Richard, Elvis Presley and the Beatles to Roy Orbison, Tom Jones and Billy Joel. Tickets for the show only are R100. Tickets including a two-course meal are R165 on Tuesday at 7pm and Sunday at 12.30pm and R190 from Wednesday to Saturday at 7pm. To book call  031 765  4197 or online at www.heritagetheatre.co.za

At The Catalina

www.facebook.com/catalinatheatre

Cine Catalina - Mini Film Festival

8 - 18 Dec

Shannon Hope At The Catalina

22 - 24 Dec

www.catalinatheatre.co.za

www.shannonhope.co.za

For More Details on these events contact the Catalina 

Contact the Catalina Theatre:

 (031) 305 6889 
catalintheatre@zamail.co.zaVisit our website: www.catalinatheatre.co.za

Whew So Much On Around Town.

Ain't Durban Grand :) 

The only event to go to next week #DCMC

A warm welcome to everyone and to the #COP17 Delegates from here and afar.
Hope you are enjoying our lovely city Durban.

Next week we have a wonderful marketing conference coming up for Durban.
I must say just looking at the speakers this event seems to be the one to attend.

Jeremy Maggs @maggsonmedia of the show Maggs On Media from etv will be hosting it.

There will be some wonderful speakers talking about everything from technology to the
environment to the new Consumer Protection Act.  The conference focusses on
strategic marketing and is brought to you by The Durban Chamber of Commerce and
Marketing Matters.

Fred Felton of Falcon's Cove has also been asked to help with the
Social Media Marketing, Strategy, Advertising and Branding and there will be
some wonderful prizes on offer for anyone checking in at the conference using
FourSquare.  There is also a chance to win prizes if you Tweet, upload pics
to Twitpic, Lockerz or Instagram or even upload a video of the event to YouTube.

Follow @fredfelton on Twitter to stay updated about the conference and follow his live tweets
at the conference.  

If you are on Twitter join their official page @marketingconf and Tweet about it
using the hashtag #DCMC

It will be at Suncoast Casino, Durban on December 6th.

For more details and to book email Jane at the Chamber on pillayj@durbanchamber.co.za

www.durbanchamber.co.za
www.marketingmatters.co.za
www.falconscovesa.blogspot.com

29 November 2011 Events To Go To At #COP17

COP17 is in town and here are some interesting events worth going to.

“Food Security and Sustainable Urban Agriculture in times of Climate Change”

Wednesday, 7th December 2011, 12h00-13h30
Local Government Pavilion, Meeting Room 1, COP17 Climate Change Response Expo(The expo is situated at Centrum Car Park, Bram Fischer Road, within 300 metres of the International Convention Centre, directly between the COP 17 transport hub and the formal COP 17 negotiating space in the Convention Centre.)

Moderator: Dr Rama Naidu, DDP

Panelists: 

• Russell Galt, ICLEI
• Dr Christoph Trusen, GITEC GmbH
• Vanessa Black, Agroecology Programme of the eThekwini IMS Department
• Stanley Visser, City of Cape Town
• Paula Osborne, Newlands Mashu Community Development Foundation
• Dr Ilse Trautmann, Provincial Government of the Western Cape

Background: The urban agricultural sector in Sub-Saharan Africa faces immense challenges from growing population numbers and decreasing resources. The panelists discuss innovative models and sustainable solutions.

“Sustainable Mega-Events in Developing Countries:

Experiences and Insights from South Africa, India and Brazil”
Thursday, 8th December 2011, 15h00-16h30
German Stand, Quinine Tree Marquee, COP17 Climate Change Response Expo
(The expo is situated at Centrum Car Park, Bram Fischer Road, within 300 metres of the International Convention Centre, directly between the COP 17 transport hub and the formal COP 17 negotiating space in the Convention Centre.)

Moderator: Christian Huebner, KAS

Panelists:

• Andreas Jung, MdB
• Mark Borchers, Sustainable Energy Africa (South Africa)
• Shailly Kedia, TERI (India)
• Dr Christoph Trusen, GITEC GmbH (Brazil)

Background: How can Mega-Events, such as the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup™ in South Africa, the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India as well as the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, be used as catalysts for sustainable urban development? The authors of a new KAS manual will share practical insights and scientific research findings. 

“Sustainable Mega-Events in Developing Countries:

Experiences and Insights from South Africa, India and Brazil”
Thursday, 8th December, 17h00-18h30

Climate Smart Cape Town Stand, COP17 Climate Change Response Expo

(The expo is situated at Centrum Car Park, Bram Fischer Road, within 300 metres of the International Convention Centre, directly between the COP 17 transport hub and the formal COP 17 negotiating space in the Convention Centre.)

Moderator: Christian Huebner, KAS
 

Welcoming & Opening Remarks: 

• Dr Werner Boehler,KAS
• Frank Spengler,KAS 

Speakers:

• Mark Borchers, Sustainable Energy Africa (South Africa)
• Shailly Kedia, TERI (India)
• Dr Christoph Trusen, GITEC GmbH (Brazil)

Please note that Norbert Roettgen, German Federal Environment Minister will attend this event.

Background:
How can Mega-Events, such as the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup™ in South Africa, the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India as well as the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, be used as catalysts for sustainable urban development? Based on three country case studies the authors analyze challenges and opportunities that come with such events. The aim of the manual is to assist future host cities, particularly in a developing country context, and promote the hosting of such events in an environmentally as well as economically and socially sustainable manner. 

22 November 2011 Art and Music Coming Soon in Durban

DBG ARTWORKS

Exhibition of original art 

 in the Durban Botanic Gardens

Sunday 27 November 2011 9am to 4pm

An exhibition of original art by highly talented South African artists will be on display under the palm trees at the lake on Sunday 27 November.  The artists are members of various art groups from the south coast, the Midlands, the north coast and greater Durban.  All the artwork will be for sale. 

More than 40 local artists will be exhibiting offering a wide range of styles and subject matter.  Many of the artists have exhibited both locally and overseas and their work can be found hanging in private homes, hotels, galleries and offices around the world. 

A personal gift of an original piece of artwork makes a very special personal gift.  Christmas is around the corner and what a wonderful opportunity to support local artists.

Short interludes of easy listening musical entertainment will add to the relaxed ambience during the day.  Why not visit the Tea Garden and enjoy a real treat of homemade scrumptious scones and syrupy crumpets.  The cheerful volunteers give generously of their time to raise funds for the South African Tuberculosis Association, another of South Africa’s worthy institutions.   

The Information Centre can assist you with any information about the Durban Botanic Gardens  -  031 3224021.

Visit our website www.durbanbotanicgardens.org.za

15 November 2011 - Writing Competition

In This Issue More Details on the 

St Clements Writing competition.

        Mondays at St. Clements

Short Story Competition 2012

Precisely 100 words

  (no more, no less)

Our short-story competition earlier this year attracted over 100 submissions. We have therefore decided to make this an annual event to coincide with the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere.

In celebration of the shortest day of the year which falls on the 20 June in 2012, Mondays at St. Clements is celebrating National Short Story Day. We follow the lead of a UK-wide celebration with the same name, an initiative aimed at promoting fiction in its succinct form, focusing on South African writing that lends itself to this tradition.

                                      Short Story Competition

                                                                Rules

•  length: 100 words (excluding title)
• entries by email to kwasuka1@mweb.co.za
• state author’s name and wordcount
• use large font: eg. Times New Roman, 14 pt.
• author of winning story will receive a presentation box of Wildekrans Estate wine
• stories will be adjudicated by 3 judges
• author’s names will be deleted for adjudication
• closing date: Monday 28 May
• all stories will be read at St. Clements on Monday 18 June followed by the presentation.

Good luck!

8 November 2011

 Performing Arts Bursaries Available

Durban – November 2011

Rising Star Performing Arts Academy

Andrea Nel 0829940984

andrea@risingstaracademy.co.za

www.risingstaracademy.co.za

Performing Arts Bursary Applications Open

Rising Star Performing Arts Academy have opened their annual Performing Arts bursary application process.  20 bursaries are on offer, one per studio per class taught, totalling R 44,000. Each bursary covers a year’s tuition at one of their many studios. Studios are located in the following areas Ballito, Umhlanga, Durban North, Berea, Glenwood, Westville, Pinetown, Amanzimtoti and Hillcrest. Each studio runs a Juniors Stars– Grade 0-3 and Seniors Stars Grade 4-7 with Durban North and Westville featuring a High School Stars class catering for Grade 8+ learners.

Rising Star Performing Arts Academy is a well-established drama academy with a very successful track record in the performing arts. Students have achieved distinctions in international exams, been cast in international movies, gone on to be accepted into the National School or the Arts, Johannesburg and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Los Angeles.

All applicants must send a letter of motivation explaining why they are the worthy recipient of the bursary, the studio they would like to attend, a clear photo and any references/achievements in the dramatic field. Rising Star Academy ONLY want candidates who have passion for the Arts, candidate who are dedicated, committed and motivated to attend ALL classes. If you are NOT of this calibre please do not apply for this bursary.

The closing date for applications is on 30 November 2011. All successful applicants will be contacted and then undergo an interview process. After the interview the directors of the academy – Andrea Nel and Gillian Brunings will select the successful candidates. Should you wish to apply for this bursary please email andrea@risingstaracademy.co.za with BURSARY 2012, as the subject.

For more information on our academy please visit www.risingstaracademy.co.za

28 October 2011 Arts, Directing, Writing in this weeks magazine

Pansa just sent us this release.


PANSA National
Call for Entries for PANSA 5th Festival of Reading of New Writing: 14 December 2011
PANSA is proud to announce the 5th PANSA Festival of Reading of New Writing with generous sponsorship from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) to be held in April 2012. The aims of the Festival are to generate original South African theatre works, to provide a platform for these works to reach the attention of theatre producers, and to work towards full-scale productions of the winning plays. 
The deadline for entries is Wednesday December 14, 2011.
The full article is on the PANSA web site www.pansa.org.za

PANSA KZN
Director's Workshop: 7 - 11 November 2011
The course run by Graduate Connection is for 18 participants, 2 from each province. We Already have 7 so there are 11 places left.
It will last for 5 days.
It will be held at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square in JHB
The workshop will be conducted by 4 of SA's leading professional theatre directors and is sponsored by the NLDTF. Workshop leaders include award winning director's Themi Venturas, Mpho Molepo, Charmaine Weir-Smith and others.

Successful candidates will be flown to JHB and accommodated for the duration of the workshop. The KZN and EC places have already been filled. We seek WC, North West, and Free State, Limpopo and Mpumalanga candidates.

Further enquiries can be directed to Themi Venturas who is the workshop co-ordinator ont74@mweb.co.za or to Lerato Molemong on graduateconnections@gmail.com

19 October 2011

Newsflash

PANSA KZN (Performing Arts Network of SA, KZN chapter) &

VANSA KZN (Visual Arts Network of SA, KZN chapter) &

 Centre for Fine Art, Animation and Design (CFAD)

Present

An Arts Savvy day long workshop

HOW TO THINK LIKE A GENIUS

Presented by Greg Streak

CFAD:  Saturday 22 October

Multi award winning, internationally-acclaimed South African contemporary visual artist Greg Streak is hosting an intensive day-long workshop aimed at developing creative thought and critical thinking, at the Centre for Fine Art, Animation and Design (CFAD) in Morningside, on Saturday 22 October, as part of the ongoing Arts Savvy workshop series hosted jointly by PANSA KZN (Performing Arts Network of SA, KZN chapter), VANSA KZN (Visual Arts Network of SA, KZN chapter) and CFAD.

Streak has lectured on this topic over the years at DUT Department of Fine Arts and VEGA school of brand innovation. This component has always been in such demand, that Streak has formulated years of practice and experience into a one day hands-on workshop.

Greg Streak is an interdisciplinary practitioner working in sculpture, video, installation and documentary film-making. He is the creative director at Source Creative which looks to facilitate meaningful dialogue between corporates, businesses, city planners and the visual arts.

The workshop will be held in three parts: firstly the need for flexibility in which Streak examines the current environment of rapid change and new technology.

Critical thinking is essential before applying creative thinking.  The second module looks at how one thinks critically. We will look at numerous examples of why it is necessary to be able to think critically, from the tricks of food advertising to the gritty and real realities of social networking and general politics.

The main thrust of this workshop is the third module, which is Creative Thinking or how to think like a genius.

“Just to be sure: I cannot make you a Genius!” smiles Streak, “But what this aspect of the workshop deals with is an understanding of how the brain really works, and with that the realization that the brain is not actually designed in a way to think creatively. What we will address in this component is not only a basic background to thinking creatively, but we will look at various techniques that have been recognized as methods and means used by genius types to produce,”

The workshop examines the difference between reproductive and productive thinking, learning to see what no-one else is seeing;  making your thoughts visible and tangible in the world; connecting that which needs to be connected and looking at various other options, understanding the strength of group interaction to achieving complete problem solving. 

“By expanding on each of these aspects, a holistic and tangible set of examples are provided to facilitate in opening up your own ability to creatively solve any number of problems that get thrown up at you, be they personal dilemmas, company problems or the need to purely innovate,” explains Streak.

The workshop is suitable for practioners in the creative industries, entrepreneurs, innovators, educators and mangers.

As this day long workshop is partnered by PANSA, VANSA and CFAD, the workshop is available at R350 per person. The workshop starts at 8.30am for 9am prompt, and runs until 5pm.

PANSA and VANSA are the national umbrella civic networking organisations serving the performing and visual arts communities respectively. They are made up of industry volunteers who campaign, lobby and network on behalf of the performers and artists in KZN and facilitate projects and initiatives to improve the arts industry.

Arts Savvy is an initiative of the PANSA / VANSA KZN as a support project for their ongoing internship programme supported by Africalia to empower emerging arts practioners and encourage sustainable self-sufficiency. 

The workshop will be held at the CFAD new campus on the Berea: Portview, 183 Cowey / Problem Mkhize Road. This 100-year-old building is an Edwardian Villa with beautiful gardens and a charming authentic feature fountain and is a national monument.  

Booking is necessary for planning purposes – contact PANSA KZN administrator: Kovilen Moodley. Tel 082 569 4239 / kzn@pansa.org.za /www.pansa.org.za or VANSA KZN administrator: Thembeka Teekay Ngcemu. Tel 073 469 6407 / 031 303 4891 / kznadmin@vansa.co.za /www.vansa.co.za

For more info on the workshop visit www.sourcecreative.co.za/workshops/ and download the pdf. For more info on Greg Streak visitwww.gregstreak.com

All are welcome!!!

12 October 2011 - Auditions

Just received this press release some Auditions coming up:

Press release from the Gay & Lesbian Network, Pietermaritzburg

The Gay & Lesbian Network wants to find new and exciting acting talent, which we feel exists in and around the Pietermaritzburg area, to form part of an Award winning Youth Theatre Company that has exciting plans for 2012.

The Network will be hosting drama auditions to identify acting or performing skills and to see what aspirant actors can bring to the group and future performances.

The Network is looking for actors who have a real passion for acting and sharing their skills with other young actors.

The following are the criteria to participate in the auditions:

1.    Preparing for the Audition:  participants should bring along a speech/monologue that has been prepared and learned by heart. This will be presented to the auditioning panel and other young members of the group. This can be a speech taken from a text or it can be something written by the participant.

It should be presented in ENGLISH and should be a maximum of three minutes in length.

2.    Bring a song or a poem to present to your audience.

This does not necessarily have to be in English, it can be in the home language of the participant.

3.    If the participant has a special talent such as dance/ mime or play a musical instrument, this could be demonstrated at the audition. The participant will need to inform the panel beforehand.

AT THE AUDITION: As well as the presentations indicated above, participants will be given a short two person scene where they will have twenty minutes to prepare with another actor.

This will show the ability at being able to work and interrelate with another actor on stage.

Participants will also participate in a thirty minute improvisation workshop with the whole group. This will demonstrate one’s ability to be creative, spontaneous and to be able to “think on your feet”, as well as being able to work in a larger group.

Finally, there will be an interview session where participants will be questioned on their passion and commitment to acting/performing and to being part of the Drama group, and their willingness to accept the strict rules governing punctuality and attendance at Workshops and Rehearsals.

This ensures that the group achieves the high professional standards expected in order to present continuing high quality performances.

The following are details of the drama auditions:

DATE OF AUDITIONS:      Saturday, 5 November 2011

TIME:                                     2PM

VENUE:                                 Studio Theatre, Hexagon University of KZN, Golf Rd, PMB

For more information please contact Ponie Ngcobo at 033-3426165 or email: info@gaylesbiankzn.org or visit our office at 185 Burger Street,pmb