The University of Stellenbosch Drama Department, with the support of the ATKV and NATi is once again hosting Première: a theatre festival for new and emerging artists. This festival was launched in 2018, and after having to take a break in 2020, and presented in an online format in 2021, is ready again to welcome audiences in the theatre.
Première is an exciting theatre festival unique to Stellenbosch where original productions are developed and performed by young, innovative theatre makers from Stellenbosch University's Drama Department. This year, more than 60 students are involved with Première: directors, writers, designers, stage managers and actors.
In March, 25 production proposals were submitted to a panel of theatre experts. Twelve of these proposals were eventually selected to participate in the festival. These twelve productions represent a broad spectrum of styles, languages, topics and themes.
From 19 - 22 July, three productions will be performed every evening in the Lab Theater at the Adam Small Theatre Complex in Stellenbosch, after which a panel of competent judges will respond. The judges for 2022 are
- Saartjie Botha, head of the Toyota US Woordfees,
- Cornelia Faasen, CEO of the National Afrikaans Theatre Initiative (NATi).
- Prof. Petrus du Preez, chair of the Stellenbosch University Drama Department,
On Saturday, July 23, the top three productions are invited back to play at the Première Curtain Call. After the evening, various prizes will be awarded and the winning production of this year's festival will be announced. The prizes include
- Best Director
- Best Actor (Male and Female)
- Best Actor in ʼn Supporting Role (Male and Female)
- Best New Text
- Best Ensemble
- Best Overall Technical Care and Design
- Best Stage Management and
- Best Overall Technical Achievement.
Each individual winner receives R2 000. The winning production receives a cash prize of R20 000. This production also receives a performance opportunity at the 2022/3 Toyota Woordfees. Furthermore, the best actor, best actress, and the complete company of the winning production receive personal portrait photography from Nardus Engelbrecht - well-known photographer and theater lover - for their professional portfolios.
The organizers of the festival, dr. André Gerber and Elana-Marié Snyman, describe Première as a celebration of the young, energetic theater talent of Stellenbosch. “A huge part of the professional industry comes from the Stellenbosch University Drama Department. There is always a creative spirit among the students. We strive to introduce this young talent to Stellenbosch. "
At only R50 per production, audiences can be entertained and challenged by these young theater makers' unique and diverse productions. Audiences are also welcome to listen to the judges' feedback after the three productions.
Festival Mentoring & Education
An important aspect of Première is the training opportunities given to the students. Première hired mentors who helped with some production aspects such as script development, directing, and marketing. The mentors for this year were:
- Wynand Kotze, renowned theater practitioner and writer - had the texts of the productions before their rehearsals and helped to refine and edit them.
- Nardus Engelbrecht, serves as the official festival photographer and has provided mentorship for the directors on their visual marketing language.
Première has also appointed an overall festival mentor - the award-winning theater director Marthinus Basson. Basson is regarded as one of the best directors and designers in the South African theatre industry and has more than 40 years of experience. He attended three rehearsals of each production and provided constructive advice and feedback. He also oversees the design and technical aspects of the productions.
Festival information
Dates
- Premiere - three productions per night: 19 - 22 July at 18:00, 19:00, and 20:00.
- Première Curtain Call - the best three productions of the week: 23 July at 18:00.
Tickets
- Première (19 - 22 July) - R50 per production.
Première Curtain Call (23 July) - R120 (includes all three top productions and the prize giving).
Production List
Tuesday | 19 July
- Begrafnis op Beaufort-Wes; 18:00
- vier ore, vier bene, vier oë; 19:00
- Jantjies and the Pearls!; 20:00
Wednesday | 20 July
- On Display; 18:00
- Rakel en Klara versus die Wêreld; 19:00
- Stroop.; 20:00
Thursday | 21 July
- A Cat and a Brush with Destiny; 18:00
- Bopha!; 19:00
- Wannabe Keisers; 20:00
Friday | 22 July
- Afval; 18:00
- ʼn Gek vir jou; 19:00
- Double Strike; 20:00
