PRESS: 8TH TEKSMARK inspires and challenges

KKNK

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"Teksmark was an inspiring event with exciting concepts for theatre productions and both insightful and challenging discussions.”

These are the words of Hugo Theart, CEO and Artistic Director of the KKNK, presenter of the eighth Teksmark from Wednesday 30 August to Friday 1 September at the Baxter Theatre Centre in Cape Town.

Teksmark is supported financially by NATi, the Baxter Theatre Centre and the Het Jan Marais Nationale Fonds, with use of facilities and infrastructure for this project sponsored by the Baxter Theatre Centre.

According to Theart it was evident that playwrights ventured into themes that explore wider than the self and identity, with a bigger, more holistic approach to the world.

“Next year is definitely going to be an interesting theatre year and I’m excited that writers are looking at the past through a new lens, with a glance over the present and the future, without being caught up in the existing world.”

Teksmark, presented since 2016, is not a competition, but creates a platform for emerging and established writers to test their ideas in front of representatives from the theatre industry, as well as potential investors and the public.

“So many strong scripts have been presented here over the past three days, that several further discussions are already underway and will continue to take place behind the scenes – with partners who could not be here busy reading the scripts and watching the recordings. One thing is certain: There are exciting theatre works on the way for 2024 and 2025,” Theart says.  

Lara Foot, CEO and Artistic Director of the Baxter Theatre Centre, says everything starts with a text. “I really believe in Teksmark. A project like this is so important to the industry. There is nothing like the innovation, inspiration and raising the bar of imagination and intellect that only a great writer can bring to the stage. It’s about innovative dialogue and we must support our writers in this way. Congratulations and keep writing.”

Cornelia Faasen, CEO of NATi, says this year’s Teksmark was one of the project’s best years. “The range of scripts was exceptionally strong, and I am more excited about the future of theatre than ever before,” she says.

Faasen also announced that a new script development project will take place in Gauteng for the first time later this year. “We are excited about this project in Johannesburg on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 November, where another 13 scripts are presented on stage at the Foxwood Theatre.”

Popular TV presenter Kabous Meiring facilitated the sessions, where playwrights had an opportunity to discuss their script ideas, followed by questions from the audience. This year’s 18 scripts were: Dryfhout by Nell van der Merwe, Found by Darryl Nel, Ken jy vir Dewie? by Ilne Fourie, Khanya and Her Golden Dream by Sibahle Mabaso, Kontrapuntby Jason Jacobs & Devon Delmar, Mahlomola a Lockdown - An Unspoken Story of Covid-19 by Ngwako Maifala, Martha by Ilse van Niekerk & Albert Maritz, Moedswil en muitery by Ingrid Winterbach, Ontbaar by Philip Rademeyer, Please don’t call me Moffie by Zubayr Charles, praat gou weer by Kanya Viljoen, Punchlines by Brent Palmer, Stoffel by Elisha Zeeman-Knoesen, The Good White by Mike van Graan, The Massacre at Mount Ursula by Louis Viljoen, Tot ’n einde by Ludwig Binge, Verloren by Andi Colombo and Waar die wind ons waai by Mikyall Harris.

For more information on Teksmark 2023 contact the KKNK office via email at info@kunste.org.za,