As part of the sponsorship the SA Post Office, in partnership with the Student Theatre Festival, will provide tertiary institutions from across the country with the opportunity to take part in the festival. The sponsorship investment covers travel, meals, accommodation, miscellaneous items, and production expenses for the total of 160 students. The institutions have been invited to present a production in Grahamstown in any South African language and are encouraged to draw from a multiplicity of artistic expressions or genres in the creation of their work.
On 7 July 2013 an awards ceremony will take place to recognise the most outstanding and exceptional of these productions. Last year's winners, the University of Cape Town, were awarded a budget to produce a Post Office themed production which will be showcased at the 2013 Children's Theatre Festival taking place alongside the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.
This year, the winning student director will win a cash award and assistance to premiere a new play at the 2014 Fringe. The winning writer will receive R2000 in cash. The winning university will receive R5000 towards their 2014 production as well as take home a trophy. Two cash incentives will also be awarded to the universities which produce the best posters for their productions.
Johan van Wyk, senior manager of philatelic services for the SA Post Office said, "Last year we were blown away by the talent of the students taking part in the Student Theatre Festival. Sponsoring the festival again is essential for us to entrench our brand in the arts and culture industry of South Africa, as well as assisting young talent with the finance and a platform to showcase their craft."
The arts industry faces continued challenges when it comes to assisting emerging professionals to become productive in the arts economy. Through the sponsorship the SA Post Office aims to achieve a greater national prominence for the performing arts industry as a whole.
For more information on the SA Post Office, go to www.postoffice.co.za.
