SEPTEMBER SURPRISES

This month the Twist groups selected two of their members to attend a directing workshop, and the groups started to rehearse their new productions with professional directors.  Our exchange project with partner group Siberia in the Netherlands is also under way.

Group Director’s Workshop
A two-day workshop was facilitated for the directors from each group by Emma Durden, who manages the Twist Project as well as being an experienced theatre director.  The workshop focused on the skills required to be a good director, and allowed for plenty of hands-on opportunities for directing practice with each other, as well as with experienced actors Bheki Khabela and Bhekani Shabalala.
Many of the workshop participants commented that it was the first time that they had attended a workshop that balanced theory and practice in an accessible way, and that the workshop had prepared them to start work on their new projects.
The workshop was held in Durban and also allowed participants to attend a performance at the Jomba Dance Festival, and a performance of Saturday Night at the Palace at the Catalina Theatre.

Mentor-Director’s Meetings with Groups
The professional directors who have been appointed to work as mentors with the groups for their new projects include the following:
Bheki Mkhwane will be working with Uthando Lwabaqulusi; Themi Venturas with Siyakha Artists; Prof Debbie Lutge with Emuhle All Artists; Jerry Pooe with Ubuntubesizwe; Vice Motshabi with Umsindo; and Edmund Mhlongo with Big Brotherhood.  The director/mentors will be working closely with the groups, many of whom are preparing their new shows for performances in October.

International Exchange
Theatre Groep Siberia in Rotterdam will open their new production, Camp Noord, at the end of September.  Jabulani Mfeka and Ntando Mncube from Durban were cast to appear in the production.
Jabulani was injured during his first weeks of rehearsals, and had to return home.  He sadly passed away, a few weeks after coming home.  We are deeply saddened by this loss of another wonderful Durban performer, and our thoughts are with his family.
We wish Ntando and Theater Groep Siberia all the best for the production run.