New Smart Theatre in Germiston gets huge welcome

Creatives across the City of Ekurhuleni welcomed the launch of the Smart Theatre with open arms at the Dumisani Masilela Theatre.

The first of its kind in the country, this technological driven theatre was launched in Germiston recently.
Artists, theatre makers and creatives attended the event.

Pascar Dube, Dumisani Masilela Theater (DMT) manager, welcomed the initiative, noting that the city is positioning itself at the fore front of creative arts.

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“Our funding through the Public Employment Programme (PEP) allows us to provide skills training and development.

“This allows us to nurture talent within the city and equip them with necessary skills to take space in the arts economic space,” said Dube.

Tebogo Malapane, a Dawnpark resident who is a director, curator, actor, and producer, was present.

He manages his own company, Art Cave, which launched the Yes Lets Experimental Festival.

“The festival was founded in 2022. It is a vibrant space for young, emerging artists to test drive their ideas and works in progress.

This one-day festival, taking place at the Market Theatre Laboratory, showcases eight new 20-minute plays, along with a guest performance from an established artist.

“Our festival invites the audience into the creative process, fostering engagement and immediate feedback. We aim to create a space for experimenting with the wildest ideas, challenging what is known as normal and, most importantly, having fun.

“After Covid-19, the arts industry had been badly affected. The Smart Theatre allows us to explore endless opportunities and monetise.

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“Each year we have had productions from the previous year’s festival showcased to different audiences. This year we have Yangthola nominated for Naledi Theatre Awards 2025. Last year the play won the Standard Bank Ovation Awards at the National Arts Festival,” said Malapane.

Mxolisi Masilela, the founder of TX Theatre Productions (TX), explained how theatre has evolved.

TX is a performing arts company founded in 2008 by the organisation’s artistic director.

It is a registered non-profit organisation situated in Thembisa that specialises in performing arts such as drama, music, and dance.

He stated that theater did not have lighting in its original form, but when it grew into a type of indoor storytelling, individuals who performed it claimed it was not theatre since it had lights and a stage.

“When Covid-19 came, theatre moved digital and creatives critisised that too, but it survived the Covid era,” said Masilela.

“We did a project as TX where we streamed on social media platforms and one play would reach 1000 views. For us to have those numbers as a live audience it would be amazing. Through the system of a Smart Theatre those possibilities can be achieved with audiences across the globe.

“The digitalisation of theatres enables us to reach more audiences

“TX Theatre is working on an app that will archive literature, art, theatre, and plays.

“We are also working on an international project with a play called Higher, which I am both the director and producer of. The exhibition has been in Johannesburg in September, London in December, and in April and May it will be in Los Angeles (LA).

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“The drama focuses on the political concerns surrounding the fall of apartheid in 1994 and the American Civil Rights Movement, the impact of civil rights on apartheid and parallels with current events. We also have another project called Behind van Vuuren’s Farm,” said Masilela.

Brian Mazibuko from Vosloorus, founder of the Bheka Artist Foundation and a theatre artist, stated that as Ekurhuleni residents they no longer have to take their shows to other theatres.

“This technology enables us to broaden the theatre market sector.

“We listened to the project pitch and are eager to present or perform our next play, Kings Desire, here. I’ve performed here previously, but I see that the lighting and stage setup have improved. The play Kings Desire is based on the biblical narrative of King David and Uriah,” said Mazibuko.