Hillbrow Theatre Project
The Hillbrow Theatre Project is based at the Hillbrow Theatre; formerly known as the Andre Huguenot Theatre. The project was established to offer after-school cultural programmes to children and youth who reside or attend schools in Hillbrow and the inner city of Johannesburg.
The Hillbrow Theatre provides a safe space where children and youth can explore and discuss complex and sensitive issues pertinent to them. The participants are encouraged to express themselves through plays that deal with issues pertaining to life in the inner city. Issues such as xenophobia, landlord exploitation, drug abuse and violence havebeen the focal point of some of the plays presented in the past years. It is important that these plays not only present the problems but that creative solutions are explored and dramatized.
The drama workshops give children and youth the opportunity to develop their communication skills, self-confidence, teamwork skills and to unleash their imagination.
Drama demands empathy for different personalities, cultures, religions and ways of living.
The Hilbrow Theatre Project facilitators currently work at 11 inner city schools and conduct weekly workshops in each school with groups of learners between the ages of 12 and 19 years. Also, there are three open drama classes which are conducted in the afternoons and on Saturday mornings at the theatre. Over a 180 learners benefit from the drama workshops.
Each year the school drama groups are involved in a playmaking process to create an original play. These plays are given a platform at the Inner City High Schools Drama Festival which was initiated by the facilitators in 2005. Inner City schools that are not part of our programme are also invited to participate in this festival.
An end of year production takes place each year, bringing together children and youth from the open drama classes and the school groups.
Recent accomplishments include awards for Theatrical Excellence at the recent SANCTA Festival, and Best Supporting Actor, Best Cameo Role, Best Actor and Best Production 1st Runner Up at the EADS Festival this year.
contact
Gerard Bester on 011 720 7011 or gerardb@mweb.co.za
A Project of the Lutheran Community Outreach Foundation
The Hillbrow Theatre provides a safe space where children and youth can explore and discuss complex and sensitive issues pertinent to them. The participants are encouraged to express themselves through plays that deal with issues pertaining to life in the inner city. Issues such as xenophobia, landlord exploitation, drug abuse and violence havebeen the focal point of some of the plays presented in the past years. It is important that these plays not only present the problems but that creative solutions are explored and dramatized.
The drama workshops give children and youth the opportunity to develop their communication skills, self-confidence, teamwork skills and to unleash their imagination.
Drama demands empathy for different personalities, cultures, religions and ways of living.
The Hilbrow Theatre Project facilitators currently work at 11 inner city schools and conduct weekly workshops in each school with groups of learners between the ages of 12 and 19 years. Also, there are three open drama classes which are conducted in the afternoons and on Saturday mornings at the theatre. Over a 180 learners benefit from the drama workshops.
Each year the school drama groups are involved in a playmaking process to create an original play. These plays are given a platform at the Inner City High Schools Drama Festival which was initiated by the facilitators in 2005. Inner City schools that are not part of our programme are also invited to participate in this festival.
An end of year production takes place each year, bringing together children and youth from the open drama classes and the school groups.
Recent accomplishments include awards for Theatrical Excellence at the recent SANCTA Festival, and Best Supporting Actor, Best Cameo Role, Best Actor and Best Production 1st Runner Up at the EADS Festival this year.
contact
Gerard Bester on 011 720 7011 or gerardb@mweb.co.za
A Project of the Lutheran Community Outreach Foundation
