The third Teksmark Joburg takes place on Wednesday 21 October at the University of Johannesburg and the second Teksmark Oudtshoorn takes place on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 November 2026 at The Neelsie Theatre in Oudtshoorn.
A KKNK and NATi project. Supported by UJ Arts & Culture, The Baxter Theatre and Het Jan Marais Nationale Fonds.
What is Teksmark?
The aim of this project is to encourage the creation of new South African scripts for the stage and to provide an opportunity to playwrights to introduce their ideas and scripts to stakeholders in the theatre industry for possible further development. This year there is a specific focus on script ideas in the genres of cabaret, satire or comedy with sociopolitical commentary and, although script ideas are accepted in all genres, preference will be given to these scripts during selection.
Take note: Visitors at Teksmark Joburg 2026 require a valid driver's license or ID document to gain access to the UJ Campus.
Teksmark Baxter 2026
Teksmark was presented on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 September 2026 for the 11th time at The Baxter Theatre in Cape Town.
Session 1
10 September
Session 2
10 September
Session 3
10 September
Session 4
11 September
Sessie 5
11 September
How to enter?
- The closing date for script ideas was Friday 17 July 2026 at midnight.
- Only online entries received before the closing date, were considered by the panel.
Who may participate?
All writers, whether emerging or established, could submit proposals.
Enquiries: If you have any enquiries, contact Astrid van Ster via email at astrid@kunste.org.za or send a WhatsApp to 065 285 2337.
How does Teksmark work?
Proposals are considered to be included as playreadings at the Teksmark in Cape Town, Johannesburg or Oudtshoorn. Representatives of theatres and festivals, as well as producers and other possible investors are invited to Teksmark.
During Teksmark playwrights have the opportunity to discuss their script ideas. A presentation about your script idea is presented here, with an excerpt performed as playreading, followed by a discussion with input from the roleplayers and members of the audience. The market is open for anyone interested to negotiate with playwrights about the possible investment in/or further development of their scripts.
As limited timeslots are available, an adjudication panel selects a limited number of scripts from all the proposals received by the KKNK.
Directors and actors are appointed in conjunction with the playwright to perform excerpts from the script.
Criteria for submission of proposals
- Teksmark is only for South African citizens.
- Script ideas are accepted in any genre, but for 2026 a strong focus is placed on cabaret, comedy and satirical scripts with strong sociopolitical commentary and playwrights are encouraged to submit scripts in these genres.
- Scripts/proposals in all official South African languages are considered.
- Multilingual productions are welcomed.
- Only scripts that have not been performed professionally before will be considered.
- All proposals must be submitted in full, accompanied by the necessary information and documents.
- No late applications will be considered, and the closing date will not be extended.
- No handwritten proposals will be considered – it must be submitted in either Word or pdf format.
- A script idea includes the following: A theme, storyline, short description of the characters and at least five pages of script or dialogue. Complete scripts are welcome, but not a requirement. A performance script of at least 10 minutes must be submitted to be considered.
Relive Teksmark Joburg 2024
Watch the full sessions for Teksmark Joburg 2024 below
