Calling emerging South African directors! Turn young people’s fears into courage through theatre with NCT’s Young Directors Programme 2026–2027.

DLALA: Our turn to talk. Unmuted.

Hey, pay attention. We’re talking to you. Are you listening?

Dlala (DLAH-lah) means “play”. It is what young people do best, and play is where they say what they cannot say anywhere else.

This year, NCT’s Young Directors Programme invites emerging South African directors to hand young people the stage, and the microphone. Over three weeks of expert-led masterclasses at NCT in Parktown, you’ll learn how theatre for young audiences is made: how to choose a story, shape it for the age group you’re telling it to, work with NCT’s Youth Theatre performers, and carry it into any school hall in the country.

Then pick a fear. Unmute it. Direct it. Choose a fear young people really carry, such as not fitting in, failing or an unknown future, and turn it into a 15 to 20 minute theatrical that finds its way to courage. Your play goes into rehearsal and performance in Term 1 of 2027. We’ll bring the young actors, the stage and the people who know how.

Applications close: Monday 9 November 2026

Successful candidates notified: Friday 13 November 2026

Masterclasses: Wednesday 18 November – Wednesday 9 December 2026

Rehearsals and performances: Term 1, 2027

Apply now: https://forms.gle/feom55TeNDcNFTLE9 

Play, in our languages: Dlala (isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati, isiNdebele) · Bapala (Sesotho) · Tshameka (Setswana) · Raloka (Sepedi) · Tlanga (Xitsonga) · Tamba (Tshivenda) · Speel (Afrikaans) · Play (English)

Nthabiseng Mmethi
Nthabiseng@nctheatresa.org.za
083 950 7114
National Children’s Theatre
https://nctheatresa.org/