The 14th Shakespeare Schools Festival South Africa (SSFSA) is here, from 3 to 8 Sep 2024, at the Lesedi Theatre at the Joburg Theatre Complex. This year’s theme, ‘Liberating Our Histories,’ celebrates Africa’s rich heritage by reimagining Shakespeare’s works in a modern African context.
Fourteen schools and drama groups will showcase their talent, presenting 30-to-40-minute plays that explore themes ranging from love and identity to power and ambition. The festival encourages diverse performance methods, from dance to spoken word, creating a platform for self-expression and inclusivity.
As always, the Festival is not just about Shakespeare but about sharing the stories, experiences and voices of enthusiastic school learners, drama societies and community youth groups from diverse backgrounds, cultures and with different physical abilities as they come together in the name of Shakespeare to explore the narratives found within his literature.
Further to their commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, the festival proudly embraces African cultural reclamation with twelve translated scripts available to Learners and drama students. The SSFSA is an energising cultural renaissance where African history and traditions combine to provide a journey of self-discovery and transformation.
