Opportunities for Local Drama in Eden District | Western Cape Government

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Opportunities for Local Drama in Eden District

9 September 2012

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) is promoting and developing local drama in communities in the Eden District, as well as providing aspiring actors with professional performance opportunities. The Eden Drama Festival resumed with a three-day drama development workshop from 7 to 9 September 2012 at the Schoemanspoort Cultural Facility in Oudtshoorn. Six groups that took part in the adjudication showcases in Knysna and Plettenburg Bay (24 August 2012) and George (1 September 2012) participated in the festival.

 

Mr Moeniel Jacobs at the Arts and Culture directorate says participants received theoretical and practical training to develop their productions to a more professional level. After development has taken place, the groups will rehearse and present their productions at the finale to be hosted by the Hessequa Municipality on Saturday, 24 November 2012.

The Eden Drama Festival has been instrumental in the lives of many aspiring actors since it started last year. A remarkable total of 12 productions have already been developed in the district. The winners of last year's event have since been exposed to the three major Western Cape drama festivals - the Baxter Theatre's Zabalaza Festival, Die Burger Suidoosterfees and the Absa Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK). The department supported this process by negotiating for opportunities to be provided on major provincial stages for winners of the Eden Drama Festival. A partnership with Danie Odendaal Productions resulted in the Best Actor and Best Actress of the Eden Festival receiving professional auditions and making guest appearances in the well-known television series "7de Laan".

George High School, Monray and Johannes, Redlight 7, Murray High School, Inferno Fusion Drama Group and Little Legends Drama Group will compete at the Hessequa finale for a spot at the 2013 Zabalaza Festival. Outstanding performers from the Eden Drama Festival and the West Coast Drama Festival stand a chance of being chosen to appear at the 2013 Die Burger Suidoosterfees. The winning group overall is expected to be assessed for a possible showcase opportunity at next year's Absa KKNK Festival with R10 000 in prize money. Through its involvement in the Eden Festival, the department is using drama to provide potentially life-changing opportunities for aspiring performers.