Soweto Theatre sets the stage for new actors
25 January 2016
Some of the country’s most successful television actors honed their skills in theatre. It is against this background that Soweto Theatre, one of the City of Johannesburg’s most preferred entertainment hubs, has for the past two years been running a development programme for aspirant young actors.
The highly successful programme, called the Lits’omong Children’s Theatre, teaches youngsters the art of acting, directing, stage design, movement and sound.
The theatre is now calling on young people aged between seven and 21 to come forward and audition for the 2016 classes.
“This programme was suggested by the community. It started in 2014 as a way of not only giving back to the community but also teaching children about theatre from an early age,” says Soweto Theatre’s Mimi Fihla.
This year’s auditions will be held on Saturday January 30. Aspirant actors can register for the auditions at the Soweto Theatre during office hours from Monday January 25.
“This programme is also a great opportunity to groom kids and nurture their talents,” says Fihla.
Lits’omong Children’s Theatre had an intake of 87 children last year. This year it is planning to increase the number to 100.
Fihla says successful candidates will attend classes on Friday afternoons after school and on Saturdays.
Research shows that mathematics and the arts are inter-related. Mathematics can be discerned in music, dance, painting, architecture and textiles.
Fihla says the theatre has noticed a significant improvement in the children’s grades as a result of taking part in acting classes. Their concentration levels have also improved, she adds.
“The development programme is a win-win. We’re giving the children the tools to fend for themselves in the world and to have more career options,” says Fihla.
Who knows, maybe your little pumpkin could be the darling of the small screen or a Tony-award-winning actor on Broadway soon.
For more information contact the Soweto Theatre on (011) 930-7461/2/3.