OPEN CALL - Theatre Arts Emerging Theatre Directors Bursary 2023
“The Emerging Theatre Director’s Bursary is the only opportunity of its kind in South Africa, and for a young/emerging director that makes it exceptionally valuable. It is a wonderful environment in which to find yourself, full of people that want you and your work to succeed, and are willing to do everything within their power to make that happen.”
Kim Kerfoot, 2011 ETDB Alumna
Closing date for application 4th August
Rehearsal Process and Performance to take place over October and November 2023
It is with huge delight, and with great gratitude to the National Arts Council and PESP, that Theatre Arts is able to announce the call for application for the Emerging Theatre Directors Bursary for 2023.
This year, Theatre Arts is offering one bursary to a Cape Town based emerging theatre director. Students at both an undergraduate and post-graduate level will not be considered.
The Bursary offers emerging theatre directors a mentor, a small budget, a month’s rehearsal space, and a week of performance at Theatre Arts. It is recommended that directors work with already existing scripts as the month-long period has proved insufficient for devised work. The bursary will not consider a production that has already been done.
The Bursary is specifically designed for emerging theatre directors who have 2-3 productions that they have directed.
The bursary will take place in October with performances in November 2023.
If you are an emerging director and would like to seize this opportunity, please submit a 1-page creative proposal of the production you would like to direct and why, along with your theatre CV (including two references’ contact details – please note no reference letters required) to caroline@theatrearts.co.za by 4th August 2023. The announcement will be made on the 17th August. For enquiries email Caroline on caroline@theatrearts.co.za
“The bursary offers a new, young voice the chance to explore and create in an environment where there is no worrying about where the money will come from, which space will be used, or how the product will be sold. What I found most encouraging was the fact that, from day one of receiving this bursary, I was given free reign of the decision making process which would bring my play to life.... I was able to learn the nuts and bolts of the production process.”
Amy Jephta, the first recipient of the ETDB in 2010
Notable winners include Amy Jephta, Nicola Elliott, Thando Doni and Mahlatsi Mokgonyana who all went on to win Standard Bank Young Artists awards for Theatre and Dance in 2020, 2014, 2021 and 2022 respectively, alongside other multiple awards; both Kim Kerfoot and Carlo Daniels won the Fleur du Cap Best Young Director - Kim for Statements After An Arrest Under the Immorality Act in 2013 and Carlo for No Complaints, New Dawn, New Day in 2023; Khayelihle Dom Gumede won the Naledi Award for Best Director in 2016 for Crepuscule, and Jason Jacobs, a 2016 winner, was named the Featured Young Artist for KKNK for 2017.
Previous winners of this bursary also include Tara Louise Notcutt, Pusetso Thibedi, Phala Ookeditse Phala, Bulelani Mabutyana, Wynne Bredenkamp, Ameera Conrad, Alan Parker, Qondiswa James and Thembela Madliki.
Read more about our ETDB Alumni here
.
