Carla Smith se CRYBABY by Teksmark 2025 © Nardus Engelbrecht

All South African playwrights are invited to submit new theatre script ideas for consideration at Teksmark in 2026.

Teksmark is presented by the KKNK and NATi, supported by The Baxter Theatre Centre, University of Johannesburg (UJ) Arts and Culture and the Het Jan Marais Nationale Fonds.

This unique development platform is aimed at encouraging the creation of new South African theatre scripts and connecting playwrights with stakeholders from the theatre industry for possible investment and further development.

Speaking during the tenth Teksmark in 2025, Cornelia Faasen, CEO of NATi, described the origin of Teksmark as an opportunity to nurture playwrights, as they are the beginning of what creates good theatre. “We often see that if we do not look after our playwrights, provide them with an opportunity to develop and with a space to work on their ideas, we end up with half done scripts.”

Fahiem Stellenboom, Marketing Manager of The Baxter Theatre Centre, says there are often very important messages that come through at Teksmark. “They do not only have to be messages about social justice. It can be messages about where we are in the world today, how we cope and deal with death and how we treat seniors.”

Playwright Veronique Jephtas says Teksmark is where her career as writer began. “It is a very good, valuable project for young playwrights who are not known to enter the industry and to start making a name for themselves.” Playwright Jason Jacobs says: “Teksmark is an opportunity where we as writers can see what works, what can work better and what does not work.”

According to Pieter Jacobs, Head of Arts and Culture at UJ, Teksmark not only creates an opportunity for new works, but also an opportunity for producers to see work. “It is also a networking opportunity for producers and playwrights to get to know each other and to see what the industry is busy with. This enables opportunities for discussions around common focus areas.”

This year, Teksmark places a special focus on script ideas in the genres of cabaret, satire and comedy featuring strong sociopolitical commentary. While proposals in all genres are welcome, preference will be given to submissions in these categories during the selection process.

Script ideas can be submitted in any official South African language, as Faasen explains: “Since its inception in 2016, Teksmark has grown immensely to include other language communities, as there is a strong need for these opportunities. It is a wonderful privilege for NATi to create a platform like this, where other language communities and artists who do not necessarily write in Afrikaans can also be involved to share ideas. This crosspollination we see is invaluable.”

All playwrights, both emerging and established, are encouraged to submit proposals before the closing date of Friday 17 July at midnight. Selected proposals will be showcased as playreadings at Teksmark, presented at either The Baxter Theatre Centre in Cape Town (10 and 11 September), or UJ Arts and Culture in Johannesburg (21 October). Representatives from theatres, festivals, production companies and other potential investors are invited to attend Teksmark and engage directly with playwrights and their work.

During Teksmark, playwrights present their script ideas through an excerpt performed as playreading, followed by an open discussion with industry roleplayers and audience members. This creates opportunities for meaningful conversations around the future development, production and possible investment in new South African theatre works.

A limited number of presentation slots are available, and as a result, an adjudication panel selects a shortlist of scripts from submissions received. Following selection, directors and actors are appointed in consultation with the playwright to perform excerpts from the selected works.

Although complete scripts are welcomed, this is not a requirement for participation. A script allowing a performance of at least 10 minutes must be submitted to be considered.

Playwrights with bold, original and thought-provoking stories are encouraged to submit their proposals and become part of the ongoing development of new South African theatre.

All script ideas must be submitted online at kknk.co.za, where more information is also available. Playwrights can contact the KKNK with any enquiries, via e-mail at info@kunste.org.za, WhatsApp to 065 285 2337 or phone 044 203 8600.

J.C. Aucamp
jc@kunste.org.za
044 203 8600
KKNK
https://www.kknk.co.za/en/teksmark-2026/