Teksmark is a KKNK project, in collaboration with NATi, the Baxter Theatre Centre, the University of Johannesburg, the ATKV and Het Jan Marais Nationale Fonds
Teksmark 2024
Download the Teksmark 2024 programme HERE
RSVP below for you and a partner to attend Teksmark 2024.
What is Teksmark?
The aim of this project is to develop new South African drama scripts while offering playwrights the opportunity to pitch their script ideas to interested parties in the theatre industry for possible further development.
Who may participate?
All writers, whether emerging or established, are invited to take part.
How does Teksmark work?
Proposals are presented as play readings at Teksmark. Representatives from theatres and festivals, producers and other possible investors are invited to attend Teksmark.
During Teksmark, playwrights can discuss their script ideas. The market is open for any of the interested parties to negotiate with playwrights about the possible investment in, and further development of scripts.
Due to the limited time slots available, a panel selects a certain number of scripts. Directors and actors are contracted in conjunction with the playwright to perform the extracts.
Relive Teksmark 2023
Watch the full sessions below
For more information or enquiries, feel free to contact Lizané Basson at lizane@kunste.org.za, phone 044 203 8600 or send a WhatsApp to 065 285 2337.
The Teksmark process from start to finish
- Script proposal are submitted online
- All scripts are evaluated by an independent panel, after which several scripts are selected to be presented during Teksmark in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
- Directors and actors are appointed, in conjunction with the playwright and organisers, to perform an excerpt (10 minutes) from the script as play readings to representatives of theatres, festivals, producers, other possible investors and theatre enthusiasts.
- Playwrights will have an opportunity to discuss their script idea and the audience will engage with questions and comments.
- The market is open for anyone interested to negotiate with playwrights about possibly investing in their script for further development.
- Selected scripts are developed into stage-ready works.
Criteria to submit a Teksmark script
- A script idea, themes, storyline, short description of the characters and at least five pages of dialogue must be submitted. Complete scripts are welcome, but not a prerequisite. The proposed script must include text long enough for a performance of at least 10 minutes.
- Only South African citizens can submit proposals.
- Script ideas in all genres are considered.
- Scripts in all official South African languages are considered.
- Multilingual scripts are encouraged.
- Only original scripts are considered. Translations and adaptations will not be accepted.
- Only scripts that have not been performed professionally in the past will be considered.
- All proposals must be submitted in full, with all the necessary documentation.
- No late proposals will be accepted, and the closing date will not be extended.
- No handwritten proposals will be considered – it must be submitted in Word or .pdf format.
A platform for new theatre scripts
The stage is set to unleash your imagination, unique stories, intrigues, twists and unforgettable characters at the ninth Teksmarkon 4 and 5 September in the Baxter Theatre Centre in Cape Town and the second Teksmark Joburg on 24 and 25 October by die Universiteit van Johannesburg.
Whether you’re a seasoned wordsmith or a budding playwright, this call for proposals is your chance to breathe life into scripts that have yet to grace the stage, allowing your ideas to flourish in the limelight.
To propose your script idea, you require a theme, storyline, short description of the characters and at least five pages of dialogue. The proposed script must include text long enough for a performance of at least 10 minutes. Complete scripts are also welcome, but not a prerequisite.
The process to submit proposals for Teksmark 2024 is now closed
Since the inception of Teksmark in 2016, 156 scripts have been included as part of the initiative, with 43 script-ideas developed into full scale productions, of which various received numerous awards.