Theatre week hosted at Moses Molelekwa Art Centre

The TX Theatre hosted the Tembisa Theatre Week at the Moses Molelekwa Art Centre, a platform that gives young budding performers an opportunity to showcase their talents. The programme ran from January 27 to 31.

The Tembisa Theatre Week, on its third week, aims to provide upcoming directors, script writers and performers, a platform to perfect their craft in theatre.

The event saw a variety of groups showcasing their crafts on stage, opening an opportunity for them to perform in some of the country’s biggest theatre houses.

Mxolisi Masilela, TX Theatre founder, said the theatre week aims to celebrate theatre in the township, and to encourage more participation in it.

“We gave a platform to 14 new plays that have not been seen or played before; we had 76 applications and we accepted 16 and put two on standby in case others pull out.

“I started to witness professional theatre when I was in Grade 10, and for me it meant I had to travel to Johannesburg or Pretoria to watch theatre performances.

“During the theatre week we try to bring professionalism and authenticity right to their doorsteps,” continued Masilela.

TX Theatre was founded in 2014, and grew to be a recognized theatre productions brand in the theatre space and have staged plays such as Walls and Pillow, Indodana and Living in Winnie Mandela, among others.

The theatre company gives skills to three directors and 10 actors through its 3/10 theatre development programme. The training programme last about 10 months.

“Through the programme, we train them so that by the end of the year they are able to participate in all of SA’s theatre festivals, and to showcase what they have learnt throughout the year in a professional play.

“We also have the National Female Festival titled Kuwamba National Women Festival to promote female productions.

“We pride ourselves because agents walk in and spot talent, and some of the talent end on television production which is great for us,” said Masilela.