Media Alert: DCAS Youth and Rural Drama at KKNK

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) is proud to present the Best of DCAS Youth and Rural Drama to be hosted at the Schoemanspoort Cultural Facility in Oudtshoorn during the period of the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK).

The department has for the past four years facilitated drama development for youth in the rural community. The productions featured are testimony to the Departmental programme having been successful in its co-ordination of the collaborative efforts of communities, the municipality, professional theatres and specialists in the field namely: Bongile Mantsai, Sizwe Msutu, Stuart Palmer, Ntombi Makutshi, Abduraghmaan Adams and Thami Mbongo. These festivals shaped productions that were staged at the Baxter Theatres, Zabalaza Festival, the Suidoosterfees and the Absa KKNK. This year the department plans to bring the best productions which have been produced over the past four years to the Oudtshoorn Community.

Communities from Dysselsdorp, Bongolethu and Bridgeton will be transported daily from the 08–11 April 2015, by the department to the Oudtshoorn facility, at no cost. They will be granted the opportunity to experience the following productions: Up in Smoke - Kairos Drama Group (Heidelberg), Tussen Grafte – Redlight 7 (Kraaifontein), Untitled – Langeberg Mixed (Robertson), Afvlerk – Vangnet (Bonnievale), Should I wear the shoes – Beat Drama group ( Dysselsdorp) and current festival winners Unlocked Cages – Team Bring it (Worcester) and Blomme vir Oulaas – New age Theatre (George) live on stage.

Theuns Botha, Minister for Cultural Affairs and Sport, emphasised the need for access to theatre experiences in communities. “Theatre is an important tool in bringing communities together. My department is committed to bringing theatre to rural communities, and making it accessible for everyone.” he said.

Media are invited to attend the theatre productions.