Help keep local theatre alive
SANDTON – Producer, owner and artistic director at the theatre Daphne Kuhn pleads with locals to help keep the award-winning theatre alive.
Theatre on the Square in Sandton urges community members and theatre lovers to help them keep the lights on.
The theatre has been unable to open since the start of lockdown in March last year and has received no corporate or government support to stay operational.
Producer, owner and artistic director at the theatre Daphne Kuhn pleaded with locals to help keep the award-winning theatre alive.
“The theatre is a culture hub for entertainment, education, music, drama, comedy and children’s theatre – and is the life and soul of Sandton,” she explained.
“Live theatre must be kept alive as it has from time immemorial. The ritual of ‘going to the theatre’ collectively enriches our souls as it entertains, uplifts and educates. There is no better time than the present for healing and uplifting.”
Theatre on the Square is Sandton’s first theatre, opened in its current location in 1997 after beginning in Rosebank in 1994.
The theatre provides multiple work opportunities to theatre practitioners.
“So many job opportunities have been lost during Covid and our permanent staff haven’t been able to work for nearly a year and a half… We simply cannot allow our award-winning theatre to have its lights switched off permanently.”
Fortunately, all permanent staff have been paid since the temporary closure of the theatre last year.
Kuhn said a fundraising strategy was devised to not only keep the venue alive, but also the entertainment industry which supported many artists, actors, directors, technicians, playwrights, musicians, dancers, choreographers and creatives.
Locals can support the theatre by purchasing individual membership to the club for R500 per year or offer corporate support in many different forms.
The campaign has raised R186 970 so far with the aim to reach a R200 000 target within the next few days.
Community members can also share the crowdfunding campaign link on social media platforms to encourage others to give.
Details: https://thundafund.com/project/6716626611211992
ALSO READ:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/293748/theatre-on-the-square-needs-you/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/256908/auto-general-theatre-on-the-square-suspends-productions/
