The annual Young Directors Festival is currently underway at Cradock High School. This initiative was born three years ago to address the growing number of actors at Cradock High School. With more than 120 learners competing for roles in the limited number of plays throughout the year, the YDF is the ideal platform for learners to showcase their skills and passion for the arts, independent of the curriculum. In its third year the YDF will see two English and one Afrikaans play, directed by six talented young learners, performed in October.
In the past the YDF has proved to be very popular and successful. Not only does the process develop the theatrical skills of the learners, it also assists and motivates learners to collaborate with others, to plan ahead as well as to think outside the box and offer an original performance, all without the assistance of a staff member. The Young Directors Festival is the ideal opportunity to implement theoretical knowledge and also serves as a mouthpiece for the youth to express themselves. The themes and topics of the plays often reflects the challenges, influences and choices that the youth experiences in their daily lives, compiled in one-of-a-kind performances. The growing number of learners interested in the technical side of drama also serves as proof that this initiative is a comprehensive springboard for new talent.
In 2016 one of the plays showcased at a previous Young Directors Festival was entered into and performed at the ATKV Tienertoneel Regional competition in Bloemfontein. The directors, Baila van den Heever and Wian Taljaard, awed audiences with their talents and received great feedback from the judges.
The skills that learners develop during their participation in the YDF helps to build confidence amongst the young and talented drama learners at Cradock High School and we look forward to seeing what the participants have to offer in the coming weeks.
On the photo above:
The six directors that will showcase their plays to the public in October 2017.
Front: Siya Mashicila
Middle:Â Zander Niemand, Elize-Mari Gerber
Back:Â Pieter-Ben Smit, Jeandri Visser
Absent: Bruzelia Martins