Playground Fest celebrates the power of art and community in Roosevelt Park
Laughter, music and moving performances filled the Roosevelt Park Recreation Centre as Franklin Players launched a new festival celebrating inclusion through the arts.
The Roosevelt Park Recreation Centre was transformed into a celebration of creativity and inclusion as the Franklin Players hosted the inaugural Playground Fest, a two-night festival showcasing the power of the performing arts.
The festival brought together theatre groups, community organisations and independent performers, creating a platform where diverse voices could share stories, inspire audiences and spark meaningful conversations.
Read more: Franklin Players shares the magic behind community theatre
Among the highlights were uplifting performances by children from San Salvador Home, whose songs celebrated acceptance and stronger communities, a laugh-out-loud improvisation set by Assembly Improv South Africa, and a thought-provoking performance on womanhood by the Gcebile Dlamini Foundation.
Also read: Franklin Players chairperson points out why community theatre still matters
Franklin Players chairperson Khaya Dube said the festival was created to extend the organisation’s impact beyond its own productions by welcoming performers from different backgrounds and abilities.
“For me, art heals people, informs conversations and creates spaces where people can talk about things that need to change,” said Dube.
He believes theatre is a universal language capable of breaking down barriers and bringing people together through shared emotions and experiences.
“I hope people leave having conversations, feeling inspired to get involved in their communities and not being afraid to tell their own stories,” he said.
Despite concerns about drawing audiences during winter, the festival was warmly embraced, with enthusiastic crowds filling the venue over both evenings.
As a non-profit organisation, Franklin Players reinvests proceeds from its productions into future performances and community outreach, ensuring that the stage remains a place where creativity continues to connect, inspire and give every story a chance to be heard.
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