Final leg of DCAS Drama Festival reveals outstanding talent

The Franschhoek community was pleasantly surprised at the showcase of local talent at the final adjudication leg of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) Drama Festival. This event took place at the Franschhoek Town hall during the weekend of 16 September 2017.

DCAS, in partnership with Stellenbosch and Cape Winelands Municipalities, the Baxter Theatre Centre and the Zabalaza Festival aims to discover potential artists from local communities to groom their outstanding talent. Seven drama groups from Paarl, Villiersdorp, Devonvalley, Idas Valley and Franschhoek participated in the Festival, in the hope of becoming finalists in the 2018 big DCAS Drama Finale.

The Festival saw its very first puppetry showcase performed by Kaleidoscope with their TIK TIK TOK TOK educational story. Soapie writer and Stellenbosch University Drama Lecturer Christine Truter and award winning artists, Lauren Hannie and Khayelethu Anthony (both previous winners of the Zabalaza Festival) served on the adjudication panel.

Councillor Xoliswa Mdemka from the Stellenbosch Municipality shared some inspiring words with the youth when she officially opened and welcomed the audience and participants. First time adjudicator Christine Truter was touched by the emotional stories that were written by the young talent. She encouraged the young artists to keep sharing their stories.

Other amazing productions include Revelations with their play Skuld, Simplicity for Change with their play Ons Se Nee and MCM with their production Hanne innie lig.

All the finalists are to partake in a production development workshop facilitated by a team of professional artists from the Zabalaza Festival. The transferred skills will prepare the aspiring artists for their final showcase in February 2018.

DCAS provides opportunity to identify talent in communities. Let us continue to develop excellence in the arts BETTER TOGETHER.