The Market Theatre Laboratory, founded in 1988 by Barney Simon and Dr John Kani, trains actors and theatremakers and serves as the educational arm of the Market Theatre. It has produced many notable artists, including Phillip Dikotla, Harriet Manamela, and Mncedisi Shabangu, and is recognised for creating impactful theatre that addresses human rights issues.

With the support of the Barney Simon Trust, the Market Theatre Laboratory offers one residency a year to provide a space for theatre-makers to develop a new work, investigate artistic process, and take creative risks.

The artist will receive a grant of R90 000 to subsidise their project costs, including their creative team, cast, archiving and materials. In addition, the residency project will be given eight weeks of studio space, access to the Ramolao Makhene Theatre for one week to present the outcomes of the residency (with a technician), access to the internet and some IT resources, and printing.

This residency is open to practitioners of any level of experience. Photo supplied

The resident artist will be asked to engage with the students at The Market Lab through masterclasses, seminars and ‘sharings’ of the creative process. At the end of the residency, the resident artist will present their creative progress to a larger audience. This residency is open to practitioners of any level of experience, but you must be a practicing theatre-maker.

The Market Theatre Laboratory trains actors and theatremakers.

To apply, You can submit the following as one document:

Brief history of you or your company (Who are you? Where are you based?)

A concept note (What is your idea?)

Motivation (Why does your idea/process require the support of The Market Theatre Laboratory?)

How does this idea sit within your overall body of work? (How will it contribute to your existing creative work?)

Links to support material (videos, sound files, photos, etc.)

A budget (Cost breakdown of how you intend to use the grant)

NB: Please keep your application to a maximum of 3 pages.

A panel will be appointed for the selection process. The residency will take place at the Market Theatre Laboratory from January – February 2024. Applications are available here.