Over 100 Western Cape Schools To Take Part In The School's Arts Festival

More than 100 Western Cape schools and a total of about 3000 primary and high school learners will be taking part in this year's Artscape Theatre Centre Schools' Arts Festival to be held from 11 - 31 August 2017.

Approximately 15 schools will share the same stage, in the Theatre, each evening, contributing to an exciting and diverse experience, from classical choirs to contemporary dance. The festival feeds into Artscape Theatre Centre's ongoing vision to develop a love for the performing arts and contribute to social cohesion.

Equally it enables the learners to obtain theatre discipline and etiquette, while it further aims to encourage nation building as young people and their parents from different cultural backgrounds come together to experience a common goal.

Says Thokozile Ntshinga, Director of Inclusive Arts Unit: "The Arts have a central role to play in nation building. Therefore the Schools' Arts Festival gives learners the opportunity to showcase their talent on a professional stage, in the form of music, verse or dance. Furthermore, the festival also stimulates a love for theatre and the performing arts, while creating an individual sense of self-esteem, pride and achievement."

The festival culminates in a glittering gala performance on 31 August 2017.

From over 100 participating schools, 20 will be selected on merit and sponsored with transport by the HCI Foundation to Artscape Theatre Centre. Each of the selected 20 schools will receive a participatory framed certificate and trophy, to be presented by the adjudicators at the gala.

The 2017 Schools' Arts Festival was initiated and coordinated by Artscape's School Liaison Unit with funding by the HCI Foundation.

This year's festival will be adjudicated by Charles Banjatwa, Sifiso Kweyama and Tarnia Van Zitters.

Tickets (R40 per person) are available through Artscape Dial-a-Seat (021 421 7839) and Computicket.