The New Voices Programme in Cape Town provides a platform for emerging artists to tell their stories through cultural mapping and mentorship initiatives. The Artscape Theatre recently held an event where young creatives presented their unique creations, showcasing the transformative power of storytelling. The programme not only empowers new artists, but also exposes their work to diverse audiences, highlighting the crucial role that storytellers have in shaping our society.
What is Cape Town’s New Voices Programme?
Cape Town’s New Voices programme offers a stage for emerging artists to tell their stories through initiatives like the City’s Cultural Mapping Planning and Arts Aweh! Young creatives receive mentorship to create unique narratives inspired by their experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. This programme not only empowers new artists but also exposes their work to diverse audiences, showcasing the transformative capacity of storytelling.
A Platform for Aspiring Storytellers
In the dynamic city of Cape Town, an extraordinary initiative is unfolding. The ‘New Voices’ programme, supported by the city’s Arts and Culture department, offers a stage for aspiring artists to narrate their stories. The Artscape Theatre recently held an event where these emerging scriptwriters presented their unique creations, highlighting the crucial part that storytellers have in molding our society.
Initiatives such as the City’s Cultural Mapping Planning and Arts Aweh! encourage artists to craft narratives stemming from their individual experiences and viewpoints. Prospective storytellers receive mentorship to create genuine stories inspired by their backgrounds and the world they inhabit. The primary aim is to acknowledge and applaud these narratives that possess the ability to motivate and transform.
Councillor Patricia van der Ross, the City’s mayoral committee member for community services and health, conveyed her support for the programme. She stressed how it not only empowers new creatives but also exposes their work to novel audiences. Van der Ross emphasized the advantages that the arts provide – they not only strengthen our cultural identity but also enhance our well-being.
A Showcase of Talent and Creativity
This week’s event showcased a plethora of gifted individuals, such as Cohen Erasmus from Manenberg, Abdullatief Davids from Mitchells Plain, Anthea Juries from Belhar, Chay Botman from Athlone, Keezin Mosime from Athlone, and Zelda Ann Hintsa from Athlone. Moreover, the dance group 021 Movement mesmerized the audience with their performance of “Odyssey,” a piece that exhibited their remarkable skills.
Devon Swartz, the director of DS Productions, elucidated the rationale behind the Power of Storytelling approach. This structured methodology was conceived by DS Productions directors Dennis Stander and Swartz to enable individuals to develop enthralling monologues based on their personal stories. The emphasis is on genuineness, inspiring participants to explore their own experiences, emotions, and obstacles, ultimately establishing a deep bond with their audience.
New Voices Programme: A Stepping Stone for Artists
Marlene Le Roux, the CEO of the Artscape Theatre Centre, articulated how the New Voices programme has progressed over time. She characterized it as one of their yearly flagship initiatives that grant young writers the chance to generate original works. The programme provides staged readings with professional actors and directors, permitting the artists to experiment with their works and potentially develop them into full-length productions.
This year’s version of the programme was particularly remarkable, as it featured eight staged readings, one complete production, and a series of monologues by young Cape Flats writers. These writers conveyed the power of storytelling to the Artscape stage, owing to the support of the City of Cape Town. For numerous young and aspiring theatre makers, such prospects can be life-altering experiences.
The New Voices programme epitomizes the transformative capacity of storytelling. By granting emerging artists the opportunity to express their stories, we nurture a varied and dynamic cultural environment that truly embodies the breadth and richness of human experience. Through the power of storytelling, these artists can attain new levels, spark change, and leave an enduring impact on their audiences and the world as a whole.
1. What is Cape Town’s New Voices Programme?
Cape Town’s New Voices programme offers a stage for emerging artists to tell their stories through initiatives like the City’s Cultural Mapping Planning and Arts Aweh! Young creatives receive mentorship to create unique narratives inspired by their experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. This programme not only empowers new artists but also exposes their work to diverse audiences, showcasing the transformative capacity of storytelling.
2. What initiatives are included in the New Voices Programme?
Initiatives such as the City’s Cultural Mapping Planning and Arts Aweh! encourage artists to craft narratives stemming from their individual experiences and viewpoints. Prospective storytellers receive mentorship to create genuine stories inspired by their backgrounds and the world they inhabit.
3. What is the Power of Storytelling approach?
The Power of Storytelling approach is a structured methodology that was conceived by DS Productions directors Dennis Stander and Swartz to enable individuals to develop enthralling monologues based on their personal stories. The emphasis is on genuineness, inspiring participants to explore their own experiences, emotions, and obstacles, ultimately establishing a deep bond with their audience.
4. Who are some of the artists featured in the New Voices Programme?
This week’s event showcased a plethora of gifted individuals, such as Cohen Erasmus from Manenberg, Abdullatief Davids from Mitchells Plain, Anthea Juries from Belhar, Chay Botman from Athlone, Keezin Mosime from Athlone, and Zelda Ann Hintsa from Athlone. Additionally, the dance group 021 Movement mesmerized the audience with their performance of “Odyssey,” a piece that exhibited their remarkable skills.
5. What does the CEO of Artscape Theatre say about the New Voices Programme?
Marlene Le Roux, the CEO of the Artscape Theatre Centre, articulated how the New Voices programme has progressed over time. She characterized it as one of their yearly flagship initiatives that grant young writers the chance to generate original works. The programme provides staged readings with professional actors and directors, permitting the artists to experiment with their works and potentially develop them into full-length productions.
6. How does the New Voices Programme empower new artists?
The New Voices programme not only empowers new artists but also exposes their work to diverse audiences, showcasing the transformative capacity of storytelling. Through the power of storytelling, these artists can attain new levels, spark change, and leave an enduring impact on their audiences and the world as a whole.
7. Why is storytelling important in shaping society?
Storytelling plays a crucial role in shaping our society. By granting emerging artists the opportunity to express their stories, we nurture a varied and dynamic cultural environment that truly embodies the breadth and richness of human experience.
8. What support does the New Voices Programme receive?
The New Voices programme is supported by the city’s Arts and Culture department, and Councillor Patricia van der Ross, the City’s mayoral committee member for community services and health, conveyed her support for the programme. She stressed how it not only empowers new creatives but also exposes their work to novel audiences.
