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Everyone was a winner in the Inner City High School Drama Festival, with much audience appreciation and learning going on.
THE audience at the Hillbrow Theatre was filled with jubilation, applauding the winners of the fifth Inner City High School Drama Festival.
Growing talent: acknowledging the best actors (Photo: Thami Gumbi)
Learners got to their feet, whistling and cheering for their peers at the awards ceremony. The festival, which encapsulated theatre talent among learners living and schooling in Hillbrow and the inner city, ended on Saturday, 12 September.
"The festival helps the underprivileged youth in the community," said Gerard Bester, the creative facilitator of the Hillbrow Theatre Project. "They all come from different backgrounds and countries and by using their experience they have so much to say."
The theatre project acts as a platform for the youth to showcase their talent. Students who competed in the festival were helped by their teachers and the theatre helped with facilitation to create a workshop of original plays.
This year, the theme was "I am human because I belong," a quote by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, which encompasses many themes and ideas. The most important of these were the development of self-worth and respect for fellow human beings, said Bester.
Winners
Cash prizes for the top three awards were sponsored by the Anglo American Chairman's Fund. Winner in the best production category was Albert High School, with the learners receiving R5 000 for their school; in second place was St Edna's Secondary School, winning R2 500; and third place went to Kensington High School, which won R1 000.
Basa Tutorial Institute came fourth; it received a R500 book voucher from Xarra Books in Newtown. The audience award also went to Albert High.
Best poster design was won by Tshepang Masemola from Barnato High School, Roydan Swinburne from Centurion College, Owen Khumalo from Afro-Kombs College, and Michael Ndlovu from Izenzo Kungemazwi, all of whom received R300 book vouchers from Xarra Books.
Providing a stage for talent to shine (Photo: Thami Gumbi)
Cameo role awards went to Dineo Kekana from Barnato Park High School, Oratile Xaba from Centurion College, Nelisiwe Xaba from Knowledge is Virtue, Tumelo Matila from Freedom College, Treasure Mohlala from St Edna's Secondary, Owen Khumalo from Afro-Kombs College, and Jeffrey Munama from His Majesty Education. They received R400 book vouchers from Xarra Books.
The awards for best actor in a supporting role went to Walter Daniso from Albert High and Mvzingaye Khumalo from Izenzo Kungemazwi, who received R400 book vouchers.
The awards for best actress in a supporting role went to Nomxoleli Tshabanga from Freedom Community College, Thlogelo Ngobeni from Barnato Park High School, and Paula Correrea from Freedom College.
Best runner up actor in a lead role went to Prosper Khumalo from Knowledge is Virtue, who received a R300 book voucher.
The awards for best actor in a lead role went to Luyanda Yika from Kensington High, Mthokozisi Ncube from Freedom College, Ibbo Mari from Albert High, and Xolani Ndlovu; they received R500 book vouchers.
Best runner up actress in a lead role was Nonceba Mabaso from Afro-Kombs College, who received a R300 book voucher.
Best overall presentation went to the casts from Freedom College, Albert High and St Edna; they received R300 book vouchers.
The best ensemble production was won by the casts from Albert High, Centurion College, Basa Tutorial institute and Afro-Kombs College; they received R500 book vouchers.
Judges
Judges chose the winners with the help of a score sheet that consisted of six criteria, namely the choice of play, direction, acting, design, technical issues and overall impression.
The panel of three judges included Carol Selepe, the actress, singer and dancer. She has appeared in productions such as Woman in Spirit, Bound by Love and Soul Buddies.
Lindiwe Hlophe, the second judge, has performed nationally and internationally and has appeared in the film Ace Ntsoelengoe, directed by Mbongeni Ngema. She has also worked in many theatre productions.
Thabiso Mhlamvu, the final judge, is the founder of Thol'ulwazi Theatre Project, established in 1999. He is an actor, poet, scriptwriter, director and choreographer.
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