Theatre company focuses on environmental issues
Kyla Davis wants her theatre company to continue producing work aimed at putting a spotlight on environmental issues.
Producing educational plays with an environmental focus has always been a dream of actress Kyla Davis.
This dream came true when she established Well Worn Theatre Company in 2009. Davis explained that it was after she had produced a play in London and looked set to return to South Africa, that she decided to re-write a play to present at schools.
“The play was called Pollution Revolution and it focused on the issue of climate change, a big passion of mine since my days in London,” she said.
The play not only highlighted serious environmental issues, but also gave her company a much-needed boost after she received funding for the play. Thus began the journey of Well Worn, from an 18-month project to the forming of an independent theatre company with Davis as director.
Davis explained that in starting the company, she hoped to make it a sustainable brand as funding for theatre companies was scarce, something she lists as a challenge for the company.
“We also had the challenge of getting space to produce our plays and prepare our props, but luckily the National School of the Arts helped us out with that,” she added.
The art school provided Well Worn with premises for its productions and in exchange the school uses the company as a positive influence for pupils.
“The learners also help out with plays we are working on, so being here is beneficial to both parties,” she said.
Despite challenges posed with running the company, Davis is optimistic about the future and said she wanted the company to continue growing and to expand upon the plays the company was currently producing.
“I feel grateful that I have been given this opportunity to realise my dream, but I want to keep working harder and making Well Worn much better,” she said.
Well Worn focuses specifically on producing educational, street theatre and major plays every year, a core objective of the company.
The theatre company is also involved in training and developing young artists and does this by holding various activities during the week involving young people.
