The program invites practicing spoken word artists into a series of workshops about thinking through the writing process and staging of their work. Ten selected spoken word artists from South Africa will, for a period of six months, be guided in writing skills, particularly those that are linked to musical and dramatic performance cultures from Africa and the Diaspora.

The workshop series is organised around four basic units: The Politics of the Word, Musicality of Word, Bodying the Word and Staging the Word. Additionally, the workshop series is a platform for spoken word artists to converse with each other’s writings and performance styles. The series of workshops will be complimented by conversations with invited guest writers and spoken word artists. At the end of the series, participants will exhibit their stage work in a Black Box Festival.

Participants will be required to attend workshops on the following dates in Johannesburg at the Windybrow Theatre:

• Workshop 1         15 to 18 August 2006
• Workshop 2          5 to 8 September 2006
• Workshop 3          3 to 6 October 2006
• Workshop 4          7 to 10 November 2006

The Spoken Word Black Box Festival will be held during February 2007.

Course costs

The fee for the entire workshop course is R1200 per person. This includes all tuition and course materials. It does not include travel, accommodation and subsistence costs incurred during workshops in Johannesburg; these costs are to be borne by the participants themselves.

A limited number of bursaries (to cover tuition fees) are available for participants who have a genuine financial need.

Application procedure

Written applications which include the applicant’s artistic profile, artistic references, a one page personal statement outlining the applicant’s objectives in applying to the program and telephone, email and address details.

Key dates:

• Closing date for applications         21 July 2006
• Notification of acceptance               4 August 2006

Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed prior to final selection.

Applications may be posted to:
Spoken Word Development
The Windybrow Theatre
P O Box 3410
Johannesburg
2000

Applications may be faxed to:
Spoken Word Development
Windybrow Theatre
(011) 725 5006

Applications may be emailed to:
Spoken Word Development
Windybrow Theatre
development@windybrow.co.za