The saying goes: “There's no business like show business.” And Gomacc is taking this saying to the next level, hitting the ground running in 2012, with innovative plans to take the organisation forward and offer an even better quality of service to their members.
The organisation has already shown how adept it is at identifying and training those from the poorer communities in all aspects of the arts. In addition to the jobs created by this training, Gomacc has re-ignited a passion for the arts in the community.
“The Gauteng Organisation of Community Art Centres through National Lottery Board Funds has managed to train 30 directors. We are proud of the job creation and skills created by our organisation throughout the Gauteng community,” said the organisation's festival and operations manager Jerry Mabuza.
“We are looking forward to see our directors working within the community and sharing what they've learned,” Mabuza added.
Gomacc boasts 30 directors who completed the NQF level 4 accredited course along with members who underwent arts administration and event management; courses. Their graduation takes place at Museum Africa in February.
This year the emphasis will be on development and training and there will be the key focus areas for members during the year. Those who join the organisation will be lucky to interact with a number of talented mentors: Simthembile Prince Lamla, who is currently directing Woza Albert! at the Market Theatre; Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year for Drama, award-winning writer and director Ntshieng Mokgoro; awardwinning actor and director Gerard Bester, who teaches at the Wits School of Arts; and Princess Zinzi Mhlongo, one of four young directors taking part in the Salzburg Austria's young Directors Project for 2012 and Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year for Theatre.
Gomacc is introducing a new aspect in the Directors’ Festival this year, by inviting Directors who underwent a course in directing. This will create a spirit of competition and by so doing, will a higher quality of work that will be on showcase, while prizes and awards will be handed out on the day of the final.
The festival takes place in the five regions of Gauteng: Johannesburg, West Rand, Ekhuruleni, Sedibeng and Tshwane.
The criteria to enter the competition are as follows:
– Applicants must have had between 2 – 3 years experience directing plays
– Has to be a South African ID holder
– Organisation Profile (Must belong to an organisation)
– Must have completed a Directors’ course
– Your play has to have a script; if the script is not published a copy of the script must be submitted along with your application form
– The play needs to be a South African story written and directed by South Africans
– The performance cannot exceed 1 hour (however it cannot be shorter than 40 minutes)
– Cast members cannot be more than 10 players
The closing date for applications: Friday 17 February 2012
Joining Gomacc comes with a number of benefits including access to its website, social network pages, theatre visits, access to festivals, training and networking. To join the organisation please download the membership form from our website www.Gomacc.org.za, on our Facebook page or visit our offices at 2 President Street, Newtown Building, Suite 31, 3rd Floor, Newtown.