Youth and Community Development


YOUTH AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Soweto Theatre aims to offer creative experiences that will foster a positive identity, theatre skills and a sense of belonging to our youth. By having a Youth & Community Development department – it seeks to create structured & professional opportunities to aspirant artists and new theatre audiences.

Through the development programmes, the theatre provides knowledge, performance and technical skills and resources for artistic development. Ensuring that youth in Soweto get to experience the theatrical culture before matriculating. OUR CURRENT PROGRAMMES INCLUDE:

1. MTP – MUSIC TUTORIAL PROGRAMME
Is dedicated to the expansion and improvement of music education by training instruments players to expand their skills as creative musicians. The youth in Soweto have access to music education, paving the way for musical greatness and an authentically Sowetan sound. Creating well-rounded youth with a common passion for music and future skilled adults.

PROUD MOMENTS FOR MUSIC TUTORIAL PROGRAMME
• MTP only gives the best to our players – with expert and famous facilitators conducting the workshops such as Zakes Bantwini , Afro-folk sound singer and musician Bongeziwe Mabandla, 2019/20 “Standard Bank Young Artist of the year” Mandla Mlangeni and the ever-impressive classical artist, Gabi Motuba.
• Completed a visit from an American junior orchestra known as the Kalamazoo Junior Orchestra, as part of their cultural exchange programme.

2. LITS’OMONG – DRAMA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Lits’omong is a theatre development program for children and youth. Provided in partnership with the internationally acclaimed children’s theatre organisation ASSITEJ SA, and gives children the space to explore their talents for the arts. Cutting across various disciplines that support learners’ cognitive, emotional, social and physical development as well as create equitable opportunities for learning.
. The aim of the programme is to use theatre as a learning tool and a means of emotional and physical development for young people 7 to 21 years of age.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM LITS’OMONG:
• To introduce learners to basic technical skills of theatre.
• To provide a safe space where the youth can explore social issues through theatre.
• To create a platform for learners who have an interest in the Performing Arts.

HOW TO BE PART OF LITS’OMONG AND MTP PROGRAMMES?
• To participate one must go through an audition process.
• Registration for auditions open in November every year
• Auditions take place in January every year.

OUR ANNUAL YOUTH PROGRAMMES
Soweto Theatre has a number of ways to get young people creative. Whether drama, music, producing or watch shows but wait there is more!
We have programme exclusively for the youth which runs throughout the year, in effort to create an artistically cultured and theatre loving society. Our goal is to see young people visit the theatre at least three times before the age of 18. We work with schools in and around Soweto to get students to come and enjoy the theatrical experience.

ANNUAL PROGRAMMES
– The Holiday Fun Fest: June/July
– School Set-works Festival
– Be part of PLATINUM SCHOOLS ROYALTY REWARDS

THE HOLIDAY FUN FEST
The Winter Holiday programme is a means of engaging the youth and getting them off the streets during their longest holiday in the June/July holiday season. The season features children’s productions focused on early development age groups.
Movement and dance theatre with daily workshops for those that love to dance, as well as creative workshops with an emphasis on creative and fun activities.

SCHOOL SETWORKS FESTIVAL
The School Setworks Festival is a festival aimed at being a teaching aid to the grade 11 – 12 setwork. A professional company is assigned the task of bringing the setwork to life and thus assisting the students to see another side to the text that has been prescribed.
There is also the short stories festival where each school puts on a short story with the assistance of a professional director. This theatre forms an interschool drama festival where the front of stage and backstage participants are made up mainly of the students.

BE A PART OF PLATINUM SCHOOLS REWARDS
Experience the Theatre Culture.
The Platinum Schools Rewards is a programme that rewards schools for actively visiting the Theatre to watch shows and getting learners to experience the culture.

WHAT IS YOUR REWARD?
• Get a venue worth R40 000
• Use it for your graduation, award ceremonies or concerts

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO?
• Visit Soweto Theatre three times in one year and
• Purchase a minimum of 250 tickets in those three visits

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Youth and Community Development Manager: Makhosazana Hlatshwayo
Soweto Theatre – 011 930 7461

Youth Development Interns:
Neo Letsoalo

Ntokozo Vilakazi