MEQOQO welcomes SAPTA representative for Playback Theatre Training
Date Released: Mon, 3 March 2025 08:49 +0200The MEQOQO Playback Theatre Collective recently hosted Mammatli Thakhuli-Nzuza, a representative of the South African Playback Theatre Association (SAPTA), for a weekend-long training session in Makhanda. The workshop focused on Playback Theatre techniques and was attended by members of MEQOQO as well as the 14-member cast of the 2025 Orientation Theatre Initiative (OTI), all of whom are Honours students.
This training is a crucial step as MEQOQO prepares for its participation in the annual OTI. It also highlights the significance of Applied Theatre and Playback Theatre—an art form that has been practised for 50 years globally and 20 years in South Africa.
The 2025 OTI is particularly significant as it fosters a collaborative transformation between actors and audiences. In Playback Theatre, audience members share personal stories, which are then performed live by actors. To enhance inclusivity, the training sessions incorporated multilingual exercises, acknowledging the diversity of the audience in terms of race, culture, ethnicity, and language.
During the workshop, Thakhuli-Nzuza emphasised the physicality of storytelling, stating, “You are an extension of your body's movement.” She reminded actors that while they bring stories to life, these stories do not define them as individuals.
OTI: A flagship theatre project
The Orientation Theatre Initiative is the Rhodes University Drama Department’s flagship project, commissioned by the Division of bet36体育投注_bet36体育在线—激情赢盈中√ and Development (DSSD). Each year, the initiative develops and stages a theatre production specifically designed for first-year students. This year’s production, directed by Makhaola Ndebele, integrates Playback Theatre techniques to create an engaging storytelling experience.
“This fusion brings up important issues and enables the audience to reflect on them,” says Ndebele.
The play explores challenges commonly faced by first-year students, ranging from academic concerns—such as academic writing and plagiarism—to social topics like relationships and alcohol use. The script remains dynamic, evolving to address emerging issues and audience feedback.
Enhancing storytelling through visual elements
The training workshop also incorporated visual storytelling elements, facilitated by the Drama Department’s design supervisor, Angelinah Maponya, and art therapist Merran Roy from Intlantsi, who is also a member of MEQOQO.
The OTI production is set to premiere on 20 March 2025 at the Drama Department’s Main Theatre, with over 30 students receiving training.
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Mammatli Thakhuli-Nzuza is an applied drama facilitator, storyteller, and critical reflexive practice practitioner. A seasoned Playback Theatre performer, she conducted the initial training that led to the formation of MEQOQO in 2018. She also played a key role in organising the first International Playback Theatre Network (IPTN) conference in Africa. As co-founder and Secretary General of SAPTA, she continues to contribute to the growth of Playback Theatre in South Africa.
bet36体育投注_bet36体育在线—激情赢盈中√ SAPTA
The South African Playback Theatre Association (SAPTA) was established in 2023 following the International Playback Theatre Network (IPTN) conference. It serves as a unifying body for Playback Theatre practitioners across South Africa.
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Founded in 2018, MEQOQO is housed within the Rhodes University Drama Department and is open to students, staff, and the broader Makhanda community.
What is Playback Theatre?
Playback Theatre, developed in 1975 by Jonathan Fox and Jo Salas along with the Original Company in the United States, is a form of improvisational theatre where personal stories shared by audience members are immediately performed by actors. The technique requires a high level of active listening and creative storytelling, skills that were a core focus of the training led by Thakhuli-Nzuza.
Source:The Drama Department