Professional drama opportunities for youth in Oudtshoorn | Western Cape Government

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Professional drama opportunities for youth in Oudtshoorn

12 November 2014

The stage has been set for the 3rd edition of the Eden Drama Festival finale, set to take place on Saturday, 29 November 2014 at the Oudtshoorn Town Auditorium, where we are celebrating the theme “20 Years of Democracy”.

The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, in collaboration with the Oudtshoorn Municipality, will host this event in conjunction with various stakeholders, including the Baxter Theatre, Suidoosterfees, ABSA KKNK, Knysna Municipality, Hessequa Municipality, George Arts Theatre, Lunchbox Theatre and the Kairos Drama Group. Initiatives such as these provide the youth with a positive alternative with the arts and also provide them with professional opportunities to showcase their talents. Therefore, by presenting a showcase opportunity with professional resources, inclusive of professional adjudicators to provide the necessary feedback and identify exceptional talents for further opportunities, the Cape Winelands Drama Festival creates a platform to present the youth with the necessary tools to develop their talents in order for them to elevate their theatrical skills while also combatting social ills.

“I speak for our entire group when I say we are extremely excited that we made it through to the finals,” said Claude Barnes, Director for New Age Productions. “This entire programme has been a mind-blowing experience and for an amateur group, we are just happy and proud that we could have made it through to the finals. It took a lot of hard work, sweat and tears to get here and fortunately we are a very committed and disciplined group. With the help of the facilitators, we could pull through to where we are today and we are very happy and grateful for this opportunity and overwhelmed with excitement.”

The project manager from the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Moeniel Jacobs, said that the Department is proud of this initiative that has shown exceptional growth since its inception in 2013. “This year has provided outstanding talents, with the participants showing great maturity in their stories and their skills in theatre. The Department is proud of its partnerships that have elevated this festival to its current successes.”

The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, in collaboration with the various stakeholders, will continue to develop the next generation of theatre stars by creating awareness, supporting and developing emerging talents to make the future BETTER TOGETHER.

Eden Drama Festival

Media Enquiries: 

Annerie Pruis-Le Roux
Acting Head of Communication Service
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9730
E-mail: annerie.pruis-leroux@westerncape.gov.za