Things are heating up
Panto rehearsals are in full swing and we’re gearing up for another spectacular year-end show! Book your seats early and join us for a fun and fabulous musical experience. With four evening shows and two matinees for the kids, you have every opportunity to come and enjoy this production and bring along your friends and family!
Open the poster below for all the details…
One Act Play Festival 2020
We cannot believe the year 2020 is almost upon us, it seems so futuristic doesn’t it? Our annual OAPF festival is around the corner, and we’re getting pretty excited!
Writers
For those who wish to submit their scripts for consideration, the submission deadline is 10 January. Email your scripts to committee@franklin.org.za and please don’t miss the deadline! You may also be interested in attending our writing skills workshop in December, details below.
Directors
If you would like to try your hand at directing, contact us to be added to the director’s list and let’s see what scripts become available closer to the time. We are always on the lookout for new directing talent and this is the perfect way to hone your skills in a co-creative and friendly environment. Of course experienced directors are welcome too!
Actors
Don’t miss the chance to strut your stuff on stage. The plays are short (35-45min) and you have the opportunity to sink your teeth into more than one production if you like. Diarise the following audition dates:
- Sunday 19th January, 2.30pm
- Monday 20th January, 7.30pm
- Wednesday 22nd January, 7.30pm
Showtime
Before you audition, please make sure you will be available to perform on the following show dates:
- Friday 27th March
- Saturday 28th March
- Friday 3rd April
- Saturday 4th April
HANG:10
Franklin Players will be heading off to Benoni next weekend for Protea Stage Productions’ second annual Hang:10 short play festival. We will be performing no less than five plays, all original scripts written by our very own talented members. You will have a feast of plays to enjoy with Franklin Players and RLT performing on Saturday 5th October, while Protea, Startime Players and EADS hit the stage on Friday 4th.
Workshop news
We had a great turnout for our Basic Drama Skills workshop last month and we welcomed many new faces while connecting with some old friends too. Thanks to everyone for their participation and invaluable feedback!
We will be holding a Writing Skills Workshop on Sunday 8th December after our AGM. Free for Franklin members and a nominal fee for non-members. Watch this space for more information in our next newsletter.
AGM
It’s soon time for our AGM so please diarise Sunday 8th December @ 12pm. Paid-up Franklin members are encouraged to attend and the necessary documents will be emailed to our current members in due course. This will be a catered event with light snacks and refreshments on offer.
Technies wanted
If you are a keen tech-head and think you might enjoy working with stage lighting and sound equipment, or even if you are already skilled in this area and have the time to assist with our shows, please give us a shout because we are looking to expand our tech team.
We will offer training on all the equipment and you will work together with someone who already knows the ins and outs, so don’t worry you’ll never be thrown into the deep end! Since this is voluntary community theatre, there is unfortunately no remuneration other than some comps for the shows which you can give to family and friends.
The Franklin family
All actors cast in our shows automatically become members and pay membership for the year (R200 for adults, R100 for students and half price after July 1st). We welcome and encourage you to join for reduced ticket prices, free workshops and a wonderful community just as interested in the stage life as you.
It’s easy to become a member – simply complete the membership form and email it to committee@franklin.org.za together with proof of payment. For more information and background about The Franklin Players, read more about us here.
Join the Franklin WhatsApp community!
Both members and non-members are welcome to join the Franklin WhatsApp group to stay informed about future auditions, events and upcoming shows. Send us a message on 082 366 9987 to join the community. And don’t worry, commenting is disabled (admin only) so you won’t be spammed with a barrage of messages!
You tell us!
When we put on a production, we try and select a script that will delight and entertain our audiences. It’s difficult to please everybody all of the time, so we are asking YOU –
What would like to see performed on the Franklin stage?
Be specific if you like and give us names of plays, or just let us know your preferences in terms of comedy, drama, slapstick, mystery etc.
We also want to do our best when communicating with you, so we ask that you let us know your preferred method of communication. Is it email? Whatsapp? Facebook? In other words –
How should we communicate with you?
Letting us know what you prefer will give us the opportunity to meet and hopefully exceed all your expectations. So please pop an email to committee@franklin.org.za or simply reply to this newsletter. You could also drop us a Facebook message or send a Whatsapp to 082 366 9987.
Thank you for taking the time to get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you!
Protea Stage Productions
Don’t miss Protea’s HANG:10 short play festival on the 4th and 5th of October in Benoni. The concept behind this event is to encourage new writers and directors to showcase their talents and, as always, to have fun. Protea, EADS and Startime Players will be performing on Friday 4th, and Franklin Players shares the stage with RLT Productions on Saturday 5th. Please come along and support this amazing event! Ticket prices are R50 for one night or R80 for both nights. Venue is Tom Newby School in Benoni.
Follow Protea on Facebook.
Startime Players
Startime Players invites fellow societies to a hilarious evening of improv games based on the brilliant Whose Line Is It Anyway? TV show. Get your star teams ready to wow audiences with their skills, bring along friends and family to cheer them on, and join Startime on the 12th of October for their inter-society social in Benoni. See poster below for all the details.
Follow Startime on Facebook.
RLT Productions
Over the next few weeks, RLT Productions will be hitting all the Bs: Benoni, Boksburg and the Basement. They’re delighted to once again be taking part in Protea’s HANG:10 Festival. On Saturday 5 October, Oriela van der Walt, Stephen Slade, Ryan Whittal, Graham Shirley and Franklin guest artiste Solène Asseline will be entertaining you at Tom Newby School, Benoni with four pieces ranging from the murderously macabre (Edgar Allen Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart) to the manically mischievous (Graham Shirley’s Rising Damp).
The following weekend, they’ll be going to Blaise’s. That’s to say, Blaise’s Bistro, Boksburg, fielding a team at Startime Players’ “Whose Line is it Anyway?” improv evening on Saturday 12 October. We’re sure you’ll get a kick out of watching Sylvia Nikolaoy, Oriela van der Walt, Nadiem Solomon, Ryan Whittal and Graham Shirley tackling the challenges of such games as “Scenes from a Hat”, “Helping Hands” and “Blind Date”.
RLT will be (Christmas) wrapping its theatre year with SHOW-VEMBER!, a fun festive frolic filled with skits, sketches, music and mirth, featuring familiar faces and numerous newcomers. They’ll be barnstorming the Basement at the Roodepoort Theatre, Friday 15 & 22 November 19:30 and Saturday 16 & 23 November 14:30 & 19:30. For enquiries and SHOW-VEMBER! booking details, drop a line to RLTProductions1950@gmail.com or WhatsApp Graham Shirley on 083 332 9683.
Follow RLT Productions on Facebook.
EADS
Edenvale Acting & Drama Society proudly presents Sleeping Beauty in November. Open the poster for all the details.
Follow EADS on Facebook.
Events calendar
Here is a preview of upcoming events and you can find more details on our website calendar – just look for this icon:
- 4, 5 October
Protea’s HANG:10 festival
- 12 October
Startime’s improv social
- 1, 2, 8, 15 November
EADS’ Sleeping Beauty
- 15, 16, 22, 23 November
RLT’s SHOW-VEMBER!
- 22, 23, 29, 30 November
Franklin’s year-end pantomime
- 8 December
Franklin’s AGM & Writing Skills Workshop