Arts Development Projects to be Showcased at Artscape

The Artscape Theatre Centre is dedicated to creating an environment for sustainable theatre practice, education and development. Since the theatre complex opened its doors some 45 years ago - then known as the Nico Malan Theatre Centre - Artscape has become a "one stop shop" of creative excellence, offering a platform to a host of different creative art forms which promote the different cultures of Cape Town. Artscape is strongly committed to being a vehicle for growth and transformation in the performing arts sector that advance nation building and establishing business partnerships.

Throughout the year, Artscape's calendar is filled with festivals and award-winning productions, but to further emphasise their commitment to the development of the arts, the centre also hosts independent groups and projects that have made Artscape's stages their home. This year is no different, with an exciting line-up of events set to take place in the coming months.

The theatre will host the final rounds of the National Acting Competition from 19 - 21 May. Initiated by Bellville High School in 2002, the competition is open to high school learners and focuses on individual acting abilities. Participants must go through national elimination rounds before being invited to shine on the Artscape stage.

From 1 - 4 June, audiences can get a crash-course in William Shakespeare's work when 12 local schools present half-hour abridged versions of his plays at the annual Shakespeare School Festival. This year, learners will get the opportunity to present Shakespeare's work in their home language for the first time, in celebration of the 400th anniversary of the bard's death.

Cape Town's hip-hop culture will step it up again on 10 - 11 June as some of the city's top dancers, performers, choreographers and dance crews take centre stage. This will be during The Dance Project's sixth production of Cape Town's Most Wanted.

For more information about any of these events, visit the Artscape Theatre Centre's website.