Guild Theatre Programmes
- Arts Talk
- Champion of the Arts Award
- Community Connections
- Education
- Master Artist Series
- Theatre Truck
Programmes
As part of the Guild’s core business, the theatre is actively engaged in developing and nurturing talent and interest in the performing arts through its education programmes. The Guild Theatre Dance Company, formed in 1998, has been instrumental in facilitating the Guild’s education programmes through training workshops and education programmes for the talent of Buffalo City and surrounding areas, particularly in the townships and rural Eastern Cape. The company of eight professional dancers specialise in dance forms ranging from classical and traditional to contemporary and have graced the stage of many events such as the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown and the opening of the Eastern Cape Tourism Summit.
A recent partnership with the Transnet Foundation has enabled the Guild Theatre to expand its delivery to the province at large, enabling it to take the performing arts to areas where theatre infrastructure does not exist. The Transnet Theatre Trucks are horse-and-trailers converted into mobile performance stages, fully equipped with audio and stage lighting. The truck has a drop-down side creating a stage size of 8m x 5m powered by three-phase electricity and is fully equipped with a sound and lighting system that is suitable for all performances or events with an audience of up to 5000 people.
The Theatre Trucks are available for rental with all proceeds going towards the Theatre’s education and audience development programmes, such as Community Connections.
The advancement of technology in theatres, the rapid need to update infrastructure, and arts education and training requires large financial resources. Companies can support the Guild’s education programmes through donations, renting the theatre or the Theatre Truck, or partnering with the Guild on a project.