FRIDAY ART SEGMENT: Sne Themba Ngobo, Administrator at People's Theatre
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Background: Arts-focused journey from primary school through professional theater administration, showcasing how early exposure to arts can develop into meaningful career paths.
Educational Foundation:
Sne's artistic journey began at an arts-oriented primary school that emphasized fine arts and acting through annual productions. This early exposure continued in high school where she studied drama and art as subjects, leading to her acceptance at Wits University for drama studies in 2010.
Career Evolution:
Initially studying acting, Sne's interests expanded to behind-the-scenes work, leading her to major in cultural policy and management (arts administration). This shift reflects growing recognition that South Africa needs professionals who view arts industries as viable businesses and careers, focusing on making art marketable and profitable.
Professional Journey:
Music Industry: First position as business manager's assistant at record label, learning administrative aspects of music business and discovering how all art forms interconnect.
Radio Production: Worked for advertising agency producing radio ads and dramas for African language stations (Ukhozi FM and others), managing productions in five languages: Zulu, Xhosa, Siswati, Tsonga, Venda, and Ndebele. Role required ensuring translation integrity while maintaining story essence across languages.
Current Position - People's Theatre:
COVID-19 created opportunity when original staff left country. Sne joined as administrator over three years ago, helping reestablish the theater post-pandemic.
People's Theatre Details:
Resident children's theater in Joburg Theatre Complex, Braamfontein
30+ year relationship with Joburg Theatre
Produces four shows annually: three international titles, one original production
Notable productions: Jungle Book, Little Mermaid, Madagascar
Current show: Matilda Junior the Musical (June 10 - July 27)
Production Process:
Rights Acquisition: Securing international rights from holders
Casting: Open auditions advertised on social media
Matilda auditions: 150+ children initially, narrowed to 60 callbacks
Final eight girls for Matilda role, three selected to alternate
Requirements: musical song, script reading, choreography demonstration
Rehearsal Structure:
Intensive three-week process with experienced team:
Jill Gerard (Director)
Sandy Daya (Choreographer)
Kunal Raul (Musical Director)
Children attend daily after-school rehearsals, pausing other extracurriculars
Post-COVID Challenges and Successes:
Major challenge rebuilding audience trust and comfort returning to theater spaces. Schools particularly cautious about outings due to parent concerns about safety protocols. However, successful recovery evident in shows now reaching capacity, demonstrating community's renewed embrace of live children's theater.
Current Production - Matilda:
Based on Roald Dahl's book, Broadway adaptation junior version featuring child cast members. Story follows intelligent five-year-old Matilda (played by 10-year-olds for practical reasons). Includes live music, audience interaction, and professional-quality production values suitable for family audiences.
Impact on Young Performers:
Sne emphasizes transformative effect on child participants - maintaining academic performance while developing performance skills. Describes seeing "sparkle in their eye" during first performances as dreams come true, noting exceptional dedication of young cast members who emerge as "superstars" proud of their achievements.
Accessibility:
Tickets available through webtickets.co.za, with shows scheduled during school holidays to accommodate family attendance. Theater actively encourages family and school group visits.
Takeaway: Sne's journey illustrates how early arts exposure can develop into meaningful career combining passion with practical business skills, while People's Theatre demonstrates vital role of children's theater in community cultural life and youth development.
Educational Foundation:
Sne's artistic journey began at an arts-oriented primary school that emphasized fine arts and acting through annual productions. This early exposure continued in high school where she studied drama and art as subjects, leading to her acceptance at Wits University for drama studies in 2010.
Career Evolution:
Initially studying acting, Sne's interests expanded to behind-the-scenes work, leading her to major in cultural policy and management (arts administration). This shift reflects growing recognition that South Africa needs professionals who view arts industries as viable businesses and careers, focusing on making art marketable and profitable.
Professional Journey:
Music Industry: First position as business manager's assistant at record label, learning administrative aspects of music business and discovering how all art forms interconnect.
Radio Production: Worked for advertising agency producing radio ads and dramas for African language stations (Ukhozi FM and others), managing productions in five languages: Zulu, Xhosa, Siswati, Tsonga, Venda, and Ndebele. Role required ensuring translation integrity while maintaining story essence across languages.
Current Position - People's Theatre:
COVID-19 created opportunity when original staff left country. Sne joined as administrator over three years ago, helping reestablish the theater post-pandemic.
People's Theatre Details:
Resident children's theater in Joburg Theatre Complex, Braamfontein
30+ year relationship with Joburg Theatre
Produces four shows annually: three international titles, one original production
Notable productions: Jungle Book, Little Mermaid, Madagascar
Current show: Matilda Junior the Musical (June 10 - July 27)
Production Process:
Rights Acquisition: Securing international rights from holders
Casting: Open auditions advertised on social media
Matilda auditions: 150+ children initially, narrowed to 60 callbacks
Final eight girls for Matilda role, three selected to alternate
Requirements: musical song, script reading, choreography demonstration
Rehearsal Structure:
Intensive three-week process with experienced team:
Jill Gerard (Director)
Sandy Daya (Choreographer)
Kunal Raul (Musical Director)
Children attend daily after-school rehearsals, pausing other extracurriculars
Post-COVID Challenges and Successes:
Major challenge rebuilding audience trust and comfort returning to theater spaces. Schools particularly cautious about outings due to parent concerns about safety protocols. However, successful recovery evident in shows now reaching capacity, demonstrating community's renewed embrace of live children's theater.
Current Production - Matilda:
Based on Roald Dahl's book, Broadway adaptation junior version featuring child cast members. Story follows intelligent five-year-old Matilda (played by 10-year-olds for practical reasons). Includes live music, audience interaction, and professional-quality production values suitable for family audiences.
Impact on Young Performers:
Sne emphasizes transformative effect on child participants - maintaining academic performance while developing performance skills. Describes seeing "sparkle in their eye" during first performances as dreams come true, noting exceptional dedication of young cast members who emerge as "superstars" proud of their achievements.
Accessibility:
Tickets available through webtickets.co.za, with shows scheduled during school holidays to accommodate family attendance. Theater actively encourages family and school group visits.
Takeaway: Sne's journey illustrates how early arts exposure can develop into meaningful career combining passion with practical business skills, while People's Theatre demonstrates vital role of children's theater in community cultural life and youth development.
