Theatre Productions

School of Arts

DRAMA FOR LIFE CENTENARY CONFERENCE SERIES LAUNCH

2 SEPTEMBER | 09H00 – 12H00 Amphitheatre

This conference seeks to affi rm the values of Wits' innovation strategy and reaffi rm Drama for Life's own vision and mission toward arts for social transformation and healing. Drama for Life's conference series seeks to explore and interrogate its legacies of innovation, draw substantive lessons from its fi rst decade, and speak to new pathways of innovation emerging in Higher Education and the disciplines of Applied Arts, Arts Therapies and Arts Research.

GIDEON NXUMALO’S “60TH CELEBRATION OF JAZZ FANTASIA” PRESENTED BY MDU MTSHALI

4 SEPTEMBER 14H00 – 14H40 The Chris Seabrooke Music Hall, Wits East Campus

The album was recorded live at the Wits Great Hall in September 1962, Nxumalo was the fi rst black jazz musician to host such an event at Wits during the apartheid era. The performance will be a 40-45 minute set featuring piano, bass, drums, sax, vocals and two special guests on horns. The set is arranged by Wits music alumnus Mdu Mtshali.

MORWA – THE RISING SUN

2 SEPTEMBER | 14H00, 3 SEPTEMBER | 14H00 / 19H00 Downstairs Theatre

This is an award-winning theatre-for-youth work that captures an everyman’s journey with masculinity, personhood and struggle for love in an age of unbridled greed and disconnection.

PLAYBACK THEATRE – MY MEMORABLE MOMENTS

3 SEPTEMBER | 11H00 – 12H15, 4 SEPTEMBER | 12H00 – 13H15 The Nunnery

Playback is designed to invite the audience to share memorable moments, anecdotes, and stories of the impact Wits has had on their lives. The actors and musicians will then pair the just-told narratives with an improvised embodied performance. The company primarily consists of Wits alumni. Drama for Life Playback Theatre is the ONLY formally accredited playback theatre company in Africa.

LERUMO BADIMONG SPEAR IN THE LAND OF THE GODS - A MUSICAL

3 SEPTEMBER | 14H00 – 15H30 / 19H00 – 20H30, 4 SEPTEMBER | 14H00 – 15H30 Wits Main Theatre

‘Nothing of yours can be truly stolen. Everything that is yours, no matter how far, will come full circle... Ngeke balibuse’

TAP FINAL HOMECOMING CELEBRATION

4 SEPTEMBER | 17H00 – 18H00 Wits Main Theatre

Performance programme featuring alumni in song, dance and spoken word.

WHEN THINGS FALL TOGETHER

3-4 SEPTEMBER | 16H00 Begins at the East side of Tunnel to West Campus

This is a site-specifi c performance ritual that has been adapted to be staged on the West Campus. The work is created for the outdoors. The performers are members of the Drama for Life Theatre Company, music therapists, musicians, dancers and a writer.

WITSIES MEET AGAIN

3 SEPTEMBER | 10H00 – 11H00, 16H00 – 17H00 Wits Main Theatre

Panel discussions titled ‘From where we were to where we are in the cultural community’ will focus on writing, directing, performance and musical theatre with alumni.