School and amateur drama groups will be strutting their stuff on the Rhodes Theatre main stage today and tonight, competing for prizes and awards in the much-anticipated Makana Drama Development Festival.
School and amateur drama groups will be strutting their stuff on the Rhodes Theatre main stage today and tonight, competing for prizes and awards in the much-anticipated Makana Drama Development Festival.
Ubom! Eastern Cape Drama Company proudly presents the annual festival – a programme which for the past 10 years has showcased some of Grahamstown’s finest local talents.
Throughout the year junior and senior groups are coached by Ubom!, building on their theatrical skills and expertise. These predominantly township-based drama groups are also supported by the Rhodes University Drama Department, which generously provides access to venues and much needed technical support.
The junior competition begins at 2.30pm and the seniors will take to the stage this evening at 6.30pm.
The 13 senior groups will compete for R1 000 prize money and for the highly coveted opportunity to appear in the Remix Laboratory programme at next year’s National Arts Festival. The grand cash prize for Best Production is made possible through the generous support of the Donaldson Trust and Arts Festival director Ismail Mahomed will choose who wins a spot in the Remix Laboratory. This exciting programme allows participants to perform, attend workshops and work with actors and directors from around the world.
A panel of expert judges will be on hand to provide a detailed evaluation for each group and to announce winners in the junior and senior categories of Best Production, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, among others.
This year Ubom! is delighted to secure judges of the calibre of Prof Andrew Buckland, Alex Sutherland, Nomcebisi Moyikwa, Hleze Kunju and Pumelela Nqelenga.
For more information contact Nosiphiwo Fihlani on 046 603 8771 or n.fihlani@ru.ac.za/ or Sonwabo Maqanda on 046 603 8968 or sonwabo.maqanda@ru.ac.za.
