Press: Extracts Of Exciting New Scripts On Offer At The Fourth Teksmark

Kunste Onbeperk, in association with the National Afrikaans Theatre Initiative (NATi) and the Baxter Theatre Centre, will be hosting the fourth Teksmark from 5 to 7 November 2019.

In 2018, Teksmark was honored with a special Fleur du Cap Award for innovation in theatre. This initiative has already produced numerous scripts that have been developed into successful productions, including Amee Lekas's Die dans van die Watermeid, Marina Albertyn’s Melk en Vleis, Herschelle Benjamin's In Slavenhuis 39, Bauke Snyman's Swerfgoed, Ludwig Binge's Kleedkamer Blues, Wessel Pretorius’ Wilde-als and Die Meermin-kompleks by Du Toit Albertze.

"Teksmark is not a competition, it is a platform for playwrights to present their ideas for scripts and completed scripts to stakeholders, partly for feedback and hopefully for further script development to ultimately provide quality scripts for full-fledged productions," says the artistic director of Kunste Onbeperk, Hugo Theart.

16 established and emerging playwrights were selected by an independent panel from 62 applications to participate in this year's Teksmark. The panel consisted of Diane de Beer, Marguerite Robinson, Cornelia Faasen and Lee-Ann van Rooi.

Work by the following playwrights will be presented this year:

Herschelle Benjamin (Aghulhasvlakte), Stephanie Burnett, Ayden Kruger, Megan Meyer, Jaime Montgomery and Lezanne Steenkamp (Draft 5), Wilken Calitz and Shaun Oelf – Karatara Beyers de Vos (Roosmaryn), Zac Fleishman (Fresh Meat), Andrico Goosen (But, Baby I Love You), William Hindley, Preston Hugo, Alistair Seymour, Tora Turner and William Vermaak (BallBox), Veronique Jephtas (My kroon se krank), Wentzel Lombard (Bring vir my die kindertjies), Thukelo Maka (The Boy of the Mountain), Rafiek Mammon (Marry-Go-Round), Wessel Pretorius (Valskermstories), Philip Rademeyer (MaanSonde), Lwanda Sindaphi (I Will Teach You How to Share the Milk), Bibi Slippers (Al my vriende se dooie honde); and Caitlin Wiggill (A Prayer Group Called Water Wings).  

Scripts will be considered for further development and playwrights also receive feedback from different stakeholders in the industry on their scripts. The CEO of NATi, Cornelia Faasen, believes the impact and extent of Teksmark's influence on the industry over the past three years, cannot be overestimated. “From the young playwrights who saw their productions on stage, to older writers who courageously attempt a new script, to actors and directors who are given their first opportunity. Teksmark is a boost of energy for the industry every year,”says Faasen.

Teksmark is presented at the Baxter Theatre Centre's Golden Arrow Studio. Lara Foot, the theatre's CEO and artistic director, says they are particularly proud this year, as Teksmark becomes more inclusive and representative with the increase of other South African languages in the offering. She adds that encouraging and stimulating creativity and nurturing young writers, storytellers, and artists is crucial to what the Baxter Theatre Centre does.

The public and stakehloders are invited to attend the event free of charge. Teksmark will take place on 5 November from 14:00 to 17:00, 6 November from 10:30 to17:00 and 7 November from 10:30 to 13:00.

The complete programme is available at kunste.org.za/teksmark. Please contact Daleen Witbooi at 044 203 8600 or info@kusnte.org.za for more information.