Five of Curro's schools amaze at Curro Create's spectacular Theatre Week
12 July 2024Five plays from a massive pool of submissions performed their way to Theatre Week: an entire week with a jam-packed programme of professional mentoring, polishing performances, individual acting workshops, and a glitzy award ceremony at the end. This year’s top 5 plays came from Curro Klerksdorp, Windhoek Gymnasium, Northern Academy, Curro Heuwelkruin, and HeronBridge College (who also hosted the week’s events). Read the article below to discover what this week entailed and which of our learners took centre stage.
Curro Heuwelkruin’s production, The Children, won Best Ensemble and Best Production – the most prestigious of the evening’s awards.
From Curro school to Curro stage
The process of getting to Theatre Week started with numerous entries to the Curro Create National Youth Theatre Festival from forty schools across South Africa and Namibia. Over the course of several weeks, these entries were whittled down to 16 productions, whose learners were then mentored virtually by script- as well as regional round mentors. These included Ira Blanckenberg (Jozi Streets), Lara Lourens (Getroud met Rugby) and Lee-Ann van Rooi (Suidooster), and more.
In the last phase of the process, Hennie van Greunen – Head: Curro Create –travelled for two weeks to select the top 5 plays, whose learners then enjoyed a jam-packed, learning marathon of a Theatre Week. Each play was allocated a mentor who helped polish their performances, navigate their technical know-hows, hosted workshops on elements of acting and stage crafts – and they even enjoyed a private performance of The King of Broken Things starring Cara Roberts.
Curro Klerksdorp received an Adjudicator’s Award for bringing together a production that moves at a breakneck speed without losing the audience.
The following plays made the top 5:
- Curro Heuwelkruin: The Children
- Curro Klerksdorp: GAMES
- HeronBridge College: Look Me in the Eye
- Northern Academy: The Meeting Place
- Windhoek Gymnasium: Mall Rats
And the winners of Theatre Week are …
- Best Actor: Marcus Mpofu – Curro Klerksdorp
- Best Actress: Tapiwanashe Chuma – Curro Heuwelkruin
- Most Promising Actor: Muhluri Chauke – Northern Academy
- Most Promising Actress: Elsa Caquece – Curro Heuwelkruin
- Best Ensemble: Curro Heuwelkruin
- Best Director: Reggie Goodwin – Curro Heuwelkruin
- Best Technical Achievement: Mamello Phoofolo – Curro Klerksdorp
- Best Production: Curro Heuwelkruin
- Adjudicators’ Award 1: Curro Klerksdorp
- Adjudicators’ Award 2: HeronBridge College
HeronBridge received an Adjudicator’s Award for how cleverly the actors’ choices created a slow-burn experience that ended on an anxious high.
‘At Curro, we truly believe in the magic of creativity. Investing in the arts isn’t just about honing talent – it’s about preparing our learners for a future where creativity is key. Creative thinking is what will help them solve problems, adapt and innovate in ways that will shape a brighter tomorrow,’ Mari Lategan – Curro’s Deputy CEO – wrote in the programme for the award evening’s proceedings.
The National Youth Theatre Festival is just one of Curro Create’s many innovative projects, aimed at helping learners discover and rise in their inherent talents. This is a one-act festival, where learners’ plays are evaluated for acting, directing, and writing. Winning learners receive a certificate for the play, ranging from Participation to Double Gold.
Here's a recap video of the week's fun:
Want to know more?
- Discover the other platforms through which Curro Create helps learners discover and develop their inherent creativity.
- Read a previous news article sharing HeronBridge College’s joy at making the top 5 in their very first time entering this project.
- Always stay up to date with Curro Create’s festivities by following them on Facebook and YouTube.
- Find a school in the Curro group that is near you – simply type in your suburb and click on Quick Search.