New Africa Theatre Academy

NATA was accredited by the South African Qualifications Authority and registered as a Higher Education Provider by the Department of Education in 2001. NATA aims to educate young people in the performing arts and provide essential work and life skills. Students are trained in how to use the performing arts as a means of communication and exploration to facilitate healing and development and prepared for a career in the performing arts or for further study in this field. NATA contributes to the growth, significance, and public awareness of performing arts in South Africa through their professional and community productions. NATA’s curriculum includes: acting, singing, music theory, movement, theatre history, cultural studies, script-writing, comedy, African dance, career guidance, life skills, literacy, and computer literacy. Each year NATA holds auditions and 20 to 40 students are accepted into its programme. A nominal fee is applied, but in select cases fees may be waived or bursaries provided. At the end of the year students must participate in at least one full-length production. Students are part of all aspects (writing, acting, stage management, lighting etc.) of these productions. Learners are also able to engage in volunteer or internship opportunities. The majority of NATA’s funding comes from the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund, the Western Cape Cultural Commission and the Nussbaum Foundation. NATA also has partnerships with the University of Stellenbosch, the Western Cape Department of Education, the Royal Swedish Dramatic Theatre and the St. Francis Adult Education Centre who each make an in-kind contribution to the curriculum through training or equipment.

Innovation

At present NATA is the only higher education provider in the Western Cape to offer an accredited, comprehensive performing arts training programme catering to disadvantaged learners. While other programmes for disadvantaged young people focus on one aspect of the performing arts (e.g. dance), NATA’s Academy covers multiple disciplines to prepare learners for the diverse possibilities of the performing arts industry.

Effectiveness

NATA accepts 20-40 students each year and has a 90% pass rate. 80% of graduates between 1998 and 2004 have obtained gainful employment, are studying further, or have founded their own community initiatives. A major indicator that NATA has enhanced the professional and personal lives of its graduates is graduates’ loyalty to NATA and the fact that they keep in close contact with NATA. Most visit regularly or are involved in one of NATA’s projects. NATA has been nominated for and won several awards: 2006 Naledi Awards (nominated Best New SA Play, Best Supporting Actor); 2005 Fleur du Cap Awards (won Best New SA Indigenous Play, Best Director); 2005/2006 Arts and Culture Awards, Western Cape (won Best Contribution to Performing Arts, Drama); and 2002 Learner’s Forum (won Western Cape Provincial Award for Outstanding Learning Centre).

Poverty Impact

NATA provides access to youth from poor communities to a formal and accredited performing arts education programme. It improves their quality of life by providing training and a positive space for creative activity. It also teaches students life skills and work skills (e.g. computer skills, literacy) that will doubtless be useful to furthering their careers in the future. NATA is able to ensure employment for a number of learners each year through their Robben Island Roadshow (6 graduates/year), professional productions, and corporate income-generation projects.

Sustainability

The total cost of NATA is R994 000/year. The cost per student is R28,000/year. The largest funders of NATA are the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund, the Western Cape Cultural Commission and the Nussbaum Foundation. Together these three provide 61% of the project’s funding. Various trust funds support the project (±R160,000 per year). NATA is consistently able to secure 15% of its annual income through income-generating projects including theatre productions. The City of Cape Town provides 4% of funding and NATA receives in-kind donations from the Royal Swedish Dramatic Theatre and the Western Cape Education Department, among others. NATA has recently revised its funding and donor outreach plans and has attracted interest from previously unexplored sectors (e.g. international theatres).

Replication

This type of project is best suited to an urban setting where resources and job opportunities in the performing arts are close at hand. The ideal number of students per year averages on 30. Programs could be lengthened to provide a more in-depth education provided that funding is available. Potential constraints include a lack of funding and trained personnel.

Partnerships

• Western Cape Cultural Commission (funding)
• City of Cape Town (funding)
• National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund (funding)
• Nussbaum Foundation (funding)
• Royal Swedish Dramatic Theatre (performance and management training)
• University of Stellenbosch (technical training)
• St. Francis Adult Education Centre (computer training)
• Western Cape Education Department (funding)

Visit www.newafricatheatre.org for more information