8 September 2026
Vir vyf opwindende en bedrywige dae in Augustus het Artscape aan die volgende geslag teatermakers behoort toe jong spelers die professionele verhoog vir die Hoërskool Dramafees 2026 betree het. Met sterk spel, verbeeldingryke stories en vindingryke tegniese vernuf het vanjaar se deelnemers gewys hoeveel jong kreatiewe talent daar in die vleuels wag.
Die fees het op 21 Augustus met ’n prysuitdeling afgesluit, waar uitstaande vertolkings en produksies vereer is. Igwiba Foundation was die groot wenner met Intsusa Yobugqobhoka, wat drie pryse ingepalm het – Beste teks of verwerkte teks, Beste ensemble en Beste produksie.
Kyk saam na Gary Naidoo se foto’s van die produksies wat die Hoërskool Dramafees ’n besondere viering van jong teatertalent gemaak het.
For five exciting and action-packed days in August, Artscape belonged to the next generation of theatre-makers as young performers took to the professional stage for the 2026 High School Drama Festival. Through powerful performances, imaginative storytelling and inventive technical work, this year’s participants showed just how much young creative talent is waiting in the wings.
The festival concluded on 21 August with an awards ceremony celebrating outstanding performances and productions. Igwiba Foundation emerged as the major winner with Intsusa Yobugqobhoka, which received three awards – Best Script or Adapted Script, Best Ensemble and Best Production.
Take a look at Gary Naidoo’s photographs of the productions that made the High School Drama Festival a special celebration of young theatre talent.
The Trash | Die Hoop
Parel Vallei High School
Darryl Spijkers was die skrywer en regisseur, en die spelers was Carli Erasmus, Alistair Jones, Sibusiso Sifuba, Marichelle Draper, Bethany Wentzel, Leandre Hart en William le Roux, met Katherine Williams en Celeste Grobler as poppespelers.
Die produksie het die prys vir Beste tegniese bydrae ontvang, asook die Beoordelaarsprys vir die mees vernuwende gebruik van ’n teatermiddel deur middel van poppespel.
Darryl Spijkers was the writer and director, and the cast comprised Carli Erasmus, Alistair Jones, Sibusiso Sifuba, Marichelle Draper, Bethany Wentzel, Leandre Hart and William le Roux, with Katherine Williams and Celeste Grobler as puppeteers.
The production received the award for Best Technical Contribution, as well as the Judges’ Special Award for the most novel use of a theatre device through puppetry.
Intsusa Yobugqobhoka
Igwiba Foundation
Ubunzulu Benxeba
Masibambisane High School
Die teks is deur Anele Kose en die geselskap geskep, met Olwethu Qavile as regisseur. Die spelers was Salizwa Simanga, Unako Zoyi, Liyema Palaza, Liyabona Tshandana, Sibulele Dlakavu en Siphosethu Kente.
The text was created by Anele Kose and the cast, with Olwethu Qavile as director. The cast comprised Salizwa Simanga, Unako Zoyi, Liyema Palaza, Liyabona Tshandana, Sibulele Dlakavu and Siphosethu Kente.
Antony & Cleopatra
Reddam House Constantia
Die produksie was gegrond op William Shakespeare se teks. Nicole Senekal was die regisseur. Die spelers was Dylan Petrie, Electra Woodhead, Luke Trompeter, Tallulah Walton, Jack Prior, Jemma Nelson, Jack Speckley, Zoey Stock, Mbali Maseko en Horacio Butler. Oliver Heath was verantwoordelik vir beligting, Eva Henley vir musiek en Lyn Nyamutenha was die verhoogassistent.
Electra Woodhead het die prys vir Beste vertolking in ’n hoofrol vir haar vertolking van Cleopatra ontvang.
The production was based on William Shakespeare’s text. Nicole Senekal was the director. The cast comprised Dylan Petrie, Electra Woodhead, Luke Trompeter, Tallulah Walton, Jack Prior, Jemma Nelson, Jack Speckley, Zoey Stock, Mbali Maseko and Horacio Butler. Oliver Heath was responsible for lighting, Eva Henley for music and Lyn Nyamutenha was the stagehand.
Electra Woodhead received the award for Best Performance in a Lead Role for her portrayal of Cleopatra.
Droom
Hoërskool Bellville
P.A. Viviers was die skrywer en Wickus Zerwick die regisseur. Tayla van der Merwe en Ivana Schonken het onderskeidelik die rolle van Lyla en Annebelle vertolk.
P.A. Viviers was the writer and Wickus Zerwick the director. Tayla van der Merwe and Ivana Schonken played the roles of Lyla and Annebelle respectively.
Swem, Jannie, swem
Hoërskool Bellville
Ilne Fourie was die skrywer en Wickus Zerwick die regisseur. Die spelers was Jurgens Steyn, Grewar Malherbe, Tiaan Botha, Wian Henning, Emily Jacobs en Stefan Marais.
Ilne Fourie was the writer and Wickus Zerwick the director. The cast comprised Jurgens Steyn, Grewar Malherbe, Tiaan Botha, Wian Henning, Emily Jacobs and Stefan Marais.
Vandag was Xhobo, dalk is môre beter
Hoërskool Okiep
Franché van den Heever was verantwoordelik vir die teks en regie. Die spelers was Teshmia Adams, Chad de Bruyn, Jo-Lee Brandt, Isabella Carolus, Celine Cloete, Waylon Cloete, Rhonan Christiaan, Lesley-Ann Engelbrecht, Nadine Farmer, Lizandre Raymond en Bronwyn Samuels.
Franché van den Heever was responsible for the text and direction. The cast comprised Teshmia Adams, Chad de Bruyn, Jo-Lee Brandt, Isabella Carolus, Celine Cloete, Waylon Cloete, Rhonan Christiaan, Lesley-Ann Engelbrecht, Nadine Farmer, Lizandre Raymond and Bronwyn Samuels.
Uithouvermoë
Safe Cities Theatre Students
Leano September was die skrywer en regisseur. Die spelers was Amy-lee Stringer, Zuhier Hempe, Meya Stemmet, Tylo van Niekerk, Liam van Schalkwyk, Chadwill Adams, Skyler Thys, Ivan Bedja en Zoe Loops.
Leano September het die prys vir Beste regisseur ontvang.
Leano September was the writer and director. The cast comprised Amy-lee Stringer, Zuhier Hempe, Meya Stemmet, Tylo van Niekerk, Liam van Schalkwyk, Chadwill Adams, Skyler Thys, Ivan Bedja and Zoe Loops.
Leano September received the award for Best Director.
Breaking Ties | Ukuqhawuka Kwembeleko
Makupula Secondary School
Sihle Nciweni was die skrywer, Ziyanda Gama het die teks verwerk en Sihle Nciweni en Hlumelo Mantshi het die regie behartig. Die spelers was Yolatha Nomvete, Elam Gogela, Iminathi Mahlokomane, Yamkela Siyengu, Lwando Nonkelela, Iviwe Peter, Ayama Siguqa, Emihle Mdungu, Khanya Ndyundyu en Sinesipho Mbiza.
Iminathi Mahlokomane het die prys vir Beste vertolking in ’n ondersteunende rol vir haar vertolking van Mother ontvang.
Sihle Nciweni was the writer, Ziyanda Gama adapted the text and Sihle Nciweni and Hlumelo Mantshi directed the production. The cast comprised Yolatha Nomvete, Elam Gogela, Iminathi Mahlokomane, Yamkela Siyengu, Lwando Nonkelela, Iviwe Peter, Ayama Siguqa, Emihle Mdungu, Khanya Ndyundyu and Sinesipho Mbiza.
Iminathi Mahlokomane received the award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Mother.
Vinkel & koljander
Martin Oosthuizen High School
Die teks is deur Jaco Visser, Barnie Mans en Alae Hanekom geskryf, met Barnie Mans en Alae Hanekom as regisseurs. Die spelers was Ben Ackerman, Conraad Burger, Liza-Marie van Rooyen, Pieter-John Stadler, Amieke du Preez, A.C. Losper, Alicia King, Liané Stadler en Keila Marais. Liané Stadler en A.C. Losper het die verhoogbestuur behartig, Janco Liebenberg die beligting en Nico Burger die klank.
The text was written by Jaco Visser, Barnie Mans and Alae Hanekom, with Barnie Mans and Alae Hanekom as directors. The cast comprised Ben Ackerman, Conraad Burger, Liza-Marie van Rooyen, Pieter-John Stadler, Amieke du Preez, A.C. Losper, Alicia King, Liané Stadler and Keila Marais. Liané Stadler and A.C. Losper were responsible for stage management, Janco Liebenberg for lighting and Nico Burger for sound.
Sal jy by my staan
Pioneer School
Derek Daly was die skrywer en regisseur. Die spelers was Edwardo Kok, Anchwin Klaasen, Alison Jegels, Thatho Setloboko, Trueman Makwena, Suley Pieterse, Marcelino Keyna, Walter Pienaar, Blessing Nhundu en Tamsin Ross.
Derek Daly was the writer and director. The cast comprised Edwardo Kok, Anchwin Klaasen, Alison Jegels, Thatho Setloboko, Trueman Makwena, Suley Pieterse, Marcelino Keyna and Walter Pienaar, with Blessing Nhundu and Tamsin Ross as social workers.
Hoërskool Dramafees Toekennings
