Please join the Theater & Performance Studies Workshop for a talk with Malcolm Purkey, “Market Theater, Johannesburg- Apartheid, Post Apartheid- Six Lessons for an Artistic Director.” Malcolm will articulate the principles for an anti apartheid theatre from the earliest work of Athol Fugard up to the negotiated revolution and the transition to democracy. During this highly contested period, as South Africa struggled with the implementation of democratic practice in all spheres of South African society, what was the role of theatre in this period of transition?
Malcolm Purkey is an actor, director, playwright, drama lecturer, artistic director and currently the Dean of AFDA, The South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance. Born in Orange Grove, Johannesburg, his father was a jazz pianist and his mother a singer. Purkey Went to Highlands North High in Johannesburg, and after a short while in Britain, returned to do a BA at University of the Witwatersrand. Inspired by Workshop ’71 he founded Junction Avenue Theatre Company in 1976, later joined by members of Workshop ’71. Involved in the founding of the University of the Witwatersrand’s School of Dramatic Art in 1975, he designed the stage for the Nunnery Theatre, and later managed the Space. Having gone to State University of New York at Binghamton in 1978 on a Fulbright Scholarship, to complete a master’s degree, he joined the staff of the Wits drama school as lecturer in 1984, becoming Professor and chair in 2000.
From 2004-13 he was the Director of the Market Theatre. Memorable productions include The Threepenny Opera, Travesties starring Vanessa Cooke, Nicholas Ellenbogen and William Kentridge and Sophiatown. Awards include Fleur du Cap, Best Director, The Girl in the Yellow Dress, Market Theatre, Baxter Theatre, National Arts Festival, UK and Sweden, Love, Crime and Johannesburg commissioned by the Grahamstown Festival, FNB Vita award for best new South African Play, Olive Schreiner award for Dramatic Literature, and AA Vita award for best play of the year, Sophiatown.
Location: Logan Seminar Terrace Room, 802
Please note our new location.
Light refreshments will be served. There is no pre-circulated material.
People with disabilities who believe they may require assistance, please contact Anne Rebull at anner@uchicago.edu or Amy Stebbins atamystebbins@uchicago.edu.