From cabaret to new drama: Teksmark lines up readings and networking

The third Teksmark Joburg script development project takes place on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Art Centre’s Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre on the Auckland Park Kingsway Campus.

Presented by the KKNK and NATi – with support from UJ Arts & Culture, The Baxter Theatre, and the Het Jan Marais Nationale Fonds – the platform connects emerging and established playwrights with theatre industry stakeholders for potential investment and script development.

The event features three distinct playreading sessions, according to Artslink.

Session 1 (09:00–12:00) includes script presentations by Nico Taljaard, Madinny Lebeko, Obett Motaung, and Loraine Wheeler.

Session 2 (12:30–14:30) focuses on cabaret, satire, and comedy, featuring an introduction to the art form by veteran director Marthinus Basson alongside new sketches by Llandi Beeslaar, Karli Heine, Ilse-Lee van Niekerk, and Vihann van Rooyen.

Session 3 (15:00–16:30) closes the day with works from Imaan Latif, Mosa Rabannye, and Luan Jacobs, followed by an industry networking function.

Directed by industry talents such as Dion van Niekerk and Jane Mpholo, alongside the playwrights themselves, the selected excerpts will feature an extensive cast including Minke Marais, Ivan Malan, and Neels Claasen. Attendance is free, and interested parties can register online in advance.