Teksmark Joburg 2026 to showcase 7 new South African theatre scripts

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS - The third Teksmark Joburg will provide a platform for new South African theatre stories when it takes place on Wednesday, 21 October, at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Art Centre's Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre at the Auckland Park Kingsway Campus.

The script development project is presented by the KKNK and NATi, with the support of UJ Arts & Culture, The Baxter Theatre and the Het Jan Marais Nationale Fonds.

Teksmark Joburg aims to encourage the development of new South African theatre scripts while connecting playwrights with stakeholders in the theatre industry for possible investment and further development.

Both emerging and established playwrights submitted proposals for consideration by a panel, with a record number of proposals received this year. Selected works will be presented as playreadings at Teksmark Joburg.

Representatives from theatres, festivals, production houses and other potential investors have been invited to attend the event and engage directly with playwrights about their work.

Pieter Jacobs, Head of Division at UJ Arts & Culture, says the institution is proud to host the Johannesburg leg of Teksmark.

“Creating space for new voices, ideas and original South African work is central to our commitment to shaping the future through innovation, collaboration and meaningful societal impact,” says Jacobs.

“By connecting writers and theatre-makers with audiences and industry partners, Teksmark strengthens the creative sector and helps promising new work to move from the page to the stage.”

11th Teksmark presented at The Baxter Theatre in Cape Town in September. © Nardus Engelbrecht

Three sessions showcase new theatre works

The first session runs from 09:00 to 12:00 and will feature playreadings of Nico Taljaard's Die prosedure, Madinny Lebeko's Ticket Number 47, Obett Motaung's Death of a Postman and Loraine Wheeler's Escape from CBD.

This year's programme also places a special focus on cabaret, satire and comedy.

During the second session, from 12:30 to 14:30, veteran director Marthinus Basson will present an introduction to the art of cabaret.

New cabaret ideas and sketches by Llandi Beeslaar, Karli Heine, Ilse-Lee van Niekerk and Vihann van Rooyen will also form part of the session.

Teksmark Joburg concludes with a third session from 15:00 to 16:30, featuring Imaan Latif's I'm too mad to tell you, Mosa Rabannye's Meisie Fleisie and Luan Jacobs's The 7 Ages of Sue.

A networking session for arts industry representatives and Teksmark Joburg participants will follow the final playreading at UJ Arts & Culture.

At Teksmark Joburg, playwrights have the opportunity to introduce their new script ideas before short excerpts are presented as playreadings.

11th Teksmark presented at The Baxter Theatre in Cape Town in September. © Nardus Engelbrecht

The excerpts will be directed by directors including Dion van Niekerk and Jane Mpholo, while several playwrights will also direct their own work.

Performers taking part in the playreadings include Minke Marais, Ivan Malan, Mia-Anne O'Kennedy, Mia Snyman, Neels Claasen, Liezl de Kock, Elicia Shirinda, Erin Patience, Katleho Jack Moloi, Aalliyah Zama Mdluli Matintela, Soiso Ndaba, Obed de Koker, Zizipho Nyulu, Adriaan de Ridder, Walter Strydom and Lutho Dala, among others.

Free public attendance

Members of the public are invited to attend the Teksmark Joburg playreadings on Wednesday, 21 October.

Attendance is free, and seats can be booked online in advance through Quicket. Those attending will have an opportunity to experience new South African theatre works at an early stage of their development.

The second Teksmark Oudtshoorn will take place in Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo on Friday, 6 November and Saturday, 7 November 2026. Further information about the playwrights, performers and attendance will be announced in due course.

Since Teksmark was launched, more than 200 script ideas have been presented by more than 180 playwrights for further development. More than 50 of these scripts have subsequently been developed into full-scale productions, many of which have received awards.

For more information and the complete Teksmark Joburg 2026 programme, visit the KKNK website or contact the KKNK office at [email protected], 044 203 8600 or via WhatsApp on 065 285 2337.