Take-a-STAND Dialogues

ABOUT

TAKE-A-STAND DIALOGUES

Based on the model of literary festivals, a weekend-long series of panel discussions featuring a diversity of voices from the dance and theatre sector on theatre, dance and contemporary social issues.  

Panels run for 60 minutes and include up to four panellists representing a diversity of experiences and backgrounds.

The programme will take place at 44 Ryneveld, a newly renovated venue in Stellenbosch, with attendance by up to 50 people per session, observing COVID-19 protocols. All sessions will be livestreamed and recorded for later broadcast.

Tickets will cost R60 per session, R150 for a whole day and R250 for the whole weekend.  

Livestream sessions will cost R20 per session or R150 for the whole weekend.

Take-a-STAND is presented by the Stellenbosch University Woordfees and the STAND Foundation and made possible by the generous support of the Embassy of the Netherlands and NATi. 

THE PROGRAMME:

FRIDAY 19 FEBRUARY

18:30

Keynote: Theatre for whom? Dance for what? Towards a rationale for theatre and dance in our contemporary world

Panellists: Gregory Maqoma, Saartjie Botha, Mxolisi Masilela, Cornelia Faasen, Malika Ndlovu and Daphne Kuhn

SATURDAY 20 FEBRUARY

09:30

Why we (still) make theatre: Producers/writers/directors speak

Panellists: Nwabisa Plaatjie, Jefferson Tshabalala, Sbonakaliso Ndaba and Wessel Pretorius

11:00

What about us? The hopes and dreams of industry ‘elders’.

Panellists: Jaqueline Singer, Mannie Manim, Michelle Maxwell and Terry Fortune

12:30

Decolonising theatre and dance. Does this even mean anything?

Panellists: Musa Hlatshwayo, Mike van Graan, Samuel Ravengai, Mmatusimang Motsisi and Siseko H. Kumalo

14:00

What do audiences want? And should we give it to them?

Panellists: Lesego van Niekerk, Alan Committie, Hugo Theart and Debbie Turner

15:30

What teaching drama has taught us: Drama teachers share their insights

Panellists: Yvette Hardie, Brent Palmer, Antoinette Dowds, JJ van Niekerk and Robyn van de Rheede

17:00

Don’t put your daughters or sons on the stage: Are we producing too many dancers and theatremakers for the South African market?

Panellists: Ashraf Johaardien, Alfred Hinkel, Tiisetso Mashifane wa Noni and Amelda Brand

18:30

Book Launch: Decolonisation as Democratisation, edited by Siseko H. Kumalo

Panellists: Zulaikha Patel, Louise du Toit, Fatmakhanu Pirbhai-Illich, Fran Martin and Siseko H. Khumalo

20:00

Showcase of participants in STAND Foundation's Women Stand-Up Comics project

With: Gadija Peck, Jana Botha, Nolwazi Nkwandla, Robyn Dunlop and Sophie Joans

SUNDAY 21 FEBRUARY

10:00

Our vision and hopes for the future: Young theatremakers speak

Panellists: Candice Bernstein, Veronique Jephtas, Alberto Smit and Nancy Sekhokoane

11:30

Should theatre and dance be funded by the state given the other challenges in our society?

Panellists: Malika Ndlovu, Mark Heywood and Gregory Maqoma

13:00

What makes a dance or theatre aesthetic ‘African’? And, does it matter?

Panellists: Ricardo Peach, Mdu Kweyama, Wolf Britz, Musa Hlatshwayo and Mamela Nyamza

14:30

Comedy, satire or drama? Necessary escapism or cop-out?

Panellists: Kabous Meiring, Rob van Vuuren, Lesego van Niekerk and Lee-Ann van Rooi

16:00

Why we support and engage with South African arts: The views of International Agencies

Panellists: Ismail Mahomed, Daniel Smit, Selen Daver and Hedda Krausz Sjögren