Teksmark, the KKNK’s award-winning script development project, will soon be presented for the first time in Johannesburg.
This project, supported by the Nasionale Afrikaanse Teater-inisiatief (NATi), creates an opportunity for emerging and established playwrights to present their script ideas for possible further development.
“Since the start of Teksmark, which has been presented at the Baxter Theatre Centre in Cape Town annually since 2016, we have received requests from festivals, theatres and audiences based in the North of the country, for a Teksmark in their area. It is a great privilege to present the first Teksmark Joburg in November 2023 with the support of the NATi Board,” says Cornelia Faasen, CEO of NATi.
“Teksmark began as an experiment and has become an institution in Cape Town, because of wonderful partners in the Baxter Theatre Centre and NATi. 36 exceptional scripts and award-winning productions have already been developed from this project over the years. Exciting spin-offs have already followed this project, including Teksmark Oudtshoorn and an international version, Tekstmarkt, with various Dutch partners. It is about time that we expand the project to Johannesburg, and we are excited about the first instalment in Gauteng, made possible by NATi and presented in Houghton’s Foxwoord Theatre,” says Hugo Theart, CEO and Artistic Director of the KKNK.
Teksmark Joburg takes place on Friday 3 November and Saturday 4 November at the Foxwood Theatre in Houghton, Johannesburg. Attendance is free but it is important to pre-register for sessions on the KKNK’s website for sessions that will be attended, as space in the theatre is limited.
Excerpts from 13 new scripts, by 14 playwrights are on stage at Teksmark Joburg. These scripts and their writers are: And … Action! by Jane Mpholo, A Street Taxi Named Desiree by Obett Motaung, Dance of the Rain Lion by Fabian Rainers, Die hysbak by Johann Smith, Die spreekkamer by Almero Welgemoed & Pietie Beyers, Don’t Believe Word I Say by Tankiso Mamabolo, Ek sal jou leer om die melk te deel by Lwanda Sindaphi (translated by Pieter Odendaal), Forte by Pierre-Andre Viviers, Koebaai, ou Koba! by Nico Luwes, Laaitie mettie biscuits by Christo Davids, Medepligtig by Wentzel Lombard, Op die hoek van Styx en River is Nora per abuis met die dood oorgeslaan by Henque Heymans and The Crimson Code by D.J. Kruger.
Each playwright has an opportunity to discuss their script idea for a theatre production at Teksmark Joburg and present it to possible future investors. Thereafter an excerpt of ten minutes will be presented as play reading, after which the floor will be opened for questions and further discussions of the script between the playwright, participants, and the audience.
Excerpts are presented by more than 28 actors, including Tobie Cronjé, Elzabé Zietsman, Lizz Meiring, Henriëtta Gryffenberg, Heidi Molentze, Stephren Saayman, Anele Situlweni, Ryno Hattingh, Peter Terry, Rina Nienaber, Pietie Beyers, Maude Sandham, Rika Sennet, Wilhelm van der Walt, Gretha Brazelle and David Viviers. A total of 14 directors are involved, including Alby Michaels, Christo Davids, Mercy Kannemeyer, Nico Luwes, Jade Bowers, and Toni Morkel.
Teksmark Joburg is a KKNK project, made possible by NATi, supported by the Foxwood Theatre, ATKV and Vrystaat Kunstefees, in collaboration with the Feesteforum.
More than 100 scripts were received for consideration this year and with the input of the independent valuation panel, 18 scripts were presented at Teksmark in the Baxter Theatre Centre in August and a further 13 scripts selected to be presented at Teksmark Joburg.
For more information about Teksmark Joburg contact the KKNK office via email at info@kunste.org.za, telephonically at 044 203 8600 or via WhatsApp at 065 285 2337 or visit www.kknk.co.za.
The 28th KKNK is presented from Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 March 2024 in Oudtshoorn. For more information about the festival, keep an eye on the KKNK’s social media platforms, visit www.kknk.co.za, contact 044 203 8600, send an email to info@kknk.co.za or WhatsApp to 065 285 2337.
