About Us
The Market Theatre Laboratory trains actors and theatre makers. Founded by Barney Simon and Dr John Kani in 1988, it is the educational arm of the world famous Market Theatre, and has developed into one of the premiere training facilities of its kind in Southern Africa. It has trained exceptional performers and theatre-makers including Olive Schreiner Award winner Phillip Dikotla, three Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year winners, Monageng Motshabi (2016), Prince Lamla (2013), and Mncedisi Shabangu (2014), and SAFTA award winners Harriet Manamela, Warren Masemola and Lindiwe Ndlovu. In addition, the Lab has been recognised on multiple platforms for creating excellent theatre that engages with human rights issues.
Deeply embedded in the ethos of the Laboratory is its commitment to providing opportunities to talented youth from disadvantaged backgrounds who would not otherwise be able to pursue their passion for the arts.
Vision
To collaboratively create – with its stakeholders – an authentic South African arts and culture experience to broaden its impact and accessibility.
Mission
To realise our vision, our mission is to ensure the long-term future of the MTF through:
Learning
Educating, exposing and promoting an art-conscious society while possibly finding hidden gems of feature artists.
Creating
Create a space of shared ownership and co-creation between artists, audience and staff.
Connecting
Platforms that enable artists and creatives to share their work with communities and humanity, locally and globally.