Where Creativity Meets Inspiration
About us
The Tin Town Theatre is a fresh vibrant artistic space on the edge of Marshall Town, west of Johannesburg. Since its inception in August 2019, the theatre has proven to be a hub for independent artists and a platform for new original art works. With young artists at the helm, the space is on an undying mission to create an inspirational home for artists and contribute innovatively to the South African Theatre industry and ultimately the entire arts industry.
The theatre was founded by Marcus Tebogo Desando with a mission to drive independent artists into their inspiration, Marcus is now the Curator and Chairperson and the Non-Executive director of the Tin Town Theatre and this youth driven artistic space is run by Tshepo Samuel Ratona who is the Producer and Executive Director. The production and technical management are headed by Phumeza Damane who is also one of the Executive Directors.
Our Vision
Our Mission
To be the best alternative theatre space and a thriving creative hub where independent artists meet their inspiration.
- To collaborate with independent production houses in the creation of new artistic work.
- To give undying support to developing theatre production companies and upcoming artists.
- To bring both mainstream artists and independent artists to one platform and encourage collaborations.
Our Vision
To be the best alternative theatre space and a thriving creative hub where independent artists meet their inspiration.
Our Mission
- To collaborate with independent production houses in the creation of new artistic work.
- To give undying support to developing theatre production companies and upcoming artists.
- To bring both mainstream artists and independent artists to one platform and encourage collaborations.
A brief history of the theatre
The theatre kicked off with a successful solo concert of the internationally acclaimed Soprano Kimmy Skota titled “Love and Passion” the concert represented hope and a new path for South African opera fulfilling the theatre’s mission being to create a home for independent artists across all genres. This was followed by the successful staged readings of completely new plays by South Africa’s most exciting playwrights Katlego Chale and Khutjo Green, and that created a new exciting demand which resulted in the theatre hosting and collaborating with DiArtskoNageng and The Writer’s Lab in staging the reading of 8 new plays by South African Writers, five of which will be published by DiARTsKonageng. The theatre closed its year with the most successful event in collaboration with Johannesburg Opera, this was the most popular Christmas Concert in December 2019 and a rubber stamp to the coming joyful journey of the space.
The building - heritage & history
The Space - The theatre and rehearsal rooms
In 1887 Most of Ferreirasdorb was abandoned to allow prospectors to mine the gold beneath. Its new buildings were mainly built from unbaked clay bricks and fashioned with thatched roofs, however many of the structures where not robust enough to withstand violent highveld storms and many of them were regularly washed away during heavy storms.
To overcome this challenge the miners used corrugated iron sheets to clad the raw brick walls, the brick would will keep the interiors relatively cool while the iron sheets helped protect the walls from flood damage, this became a popular solution across the entire Ferreira area, and it literally became the Tin Town.
The building used to be a prayer masque, in more recent years the building became a fishing equipment store until Marcus Desando under the Gauteng Opera company started constructing it as a theatre, in 2017 Gauteng opera closed down the space and it became an abandoned building until 2019 Augusts 1st. The Tin Town Theatre resumed independently under new and current administration.
The main auditorium houses 239 patrons and has a foyer of the same capacity. The theatre is equipped with two rehearsal rooms and a piano. The small space taking up to four (4) people for more intimate sessions and the bigger rehearsal room taking up to 70 people for full play or musical rehearsals. The foyer and the big rehearsal room are flexible spaces which easily convert into black boxes for multifunctionality and our offices act as a hub for independent production companies for their day to day business activities.
- The Theatre is rented: R 6 500.00 per day | R 18 000.00 per week.
- The Big Rehearsal Room: R 350.00 per hour | R 1 500.00 per day | R 6 000.00 Per week
- The Small Rehearsal Room: R 150.00 per hour | R 750.00 per day | R3 000.00 per week
- The Foyer/Conference Room: R 500.00 per hour | R 3 000. Per day | 7 000.00 Per week
Parking: The theatre has safe VIP parking for Executives and Crew (up to 12 cars) as well as patron parking which can take up to 300 hundred cars, more than the theatres seating Capacity. (it comes as a cost to patrons)
The building - heritage & history
In 1887 Most of Ferreirasdorb was abandoned to allow prospectors to mine the gold beneath. Its new buildings were mainly built from unbaked clay bricks and fashioned with thatched roofs, however many of the structures where not robust enough to withstand violent highveld storms and many of them were regularly washed away during heavy storms.
To overcome this challenge the miners used corrugated iron sheets to clad the raw brick walls, the brick would will keep the interiors relatively cool while the iron sheets helped protect the walls from flood damage, this became a popular solution across the entire Ferreira area, and it literally became the Tin Town.
The building used to be a prayer masque, in more recent years the building became a fishing equipment store until Marcus Desando under the Gauteng Opera company started constructing it as a theatre, in 2017 Gauteng opera closed down the space and it became an abandoned building until 2019 Augusts 1st. The Tin Town Theatre resumed independently under new and current administration.
The Space - The theatre and rehearsal rooms
The main auditorium houses 239 patrons and has a foyer of the same capacity. The theatre is equipped with two rehearsal rooms and a piano. The small space taking up to four (4) people for more intimate sessions and the bigger rehearsal room taking up to 70 people for full play or musical rehearsals. The foyer and the big rehearsal room are flexible spaces which easily convert into black boxes for multifunctionality and our offices act as a hub for independent production companies for their day to day business activities.
- The Theatre is rented: R 6 500.00 per day | R 18 000.00 per week.
- The Big Rehearsal Room: R 350.00 per hour | R 1 500.00 per day | R 6 000.00 Per week
- The Small Rehearsal Room: R 150.00 per hour | R 750.00 per day | R3 000.00 per week
- The Foyer/Conference Room: R 500.00 per hour | R 3 000. Per day | 7 000.00 Per week
Parking: The theatre has safe VIP parking for Executives and Crew (up to 12 cars) as well as patron parking which can take up to 300 hundred cars, more than the theatres seating Capacity. (it comes as a cost to patrons)
Whats on in 2021
COMING SOON
On the 1st of August 2019, TTT was born and a month later was registered as an NPC, our first Concert was by the internationally acclaimed Kimmy Skota, in September 2019. This began a great line up by young independent artists, who supported and volunteered both their time and skills to keeping the Theatre's Momentum alive.
Amongst many activities that followed just before 2020 hit us all. Khutjo Green staged a reading of The Princesses of Askies Shem street, a script I thoroughly enjoyed and thought had a great creative voice. Alongside her reading was Katlego Chale's reading of Kenosi. It's these two readings in particular that enhanced and reminded us of our long term vision of building and developing a Theatre to create a home of inspiration for artists.
In December 2020, Jefferson Tshabalala staged TEWOP, and fell in love with the space. An Artistic activity that offered our patrons something quite unique, impactful and refreshing. His company Ub'Dope Shishini became the first company to join our hub. An open office space created for artists to access a corner, grab a chair and work towards fulfilling their goals.
The Hub also houses the Eagles Academy, Motion Art Productions and soon will be joined by The GreenRoom Academy by Khutjo. The Hub aims to offer artists a residence where they can access basic needs but importantly access to a working space to stay inspired and to keep exploring.
This May, Khutjo will fully stage The Princesses of askies Shem street, Jefferson Tshabalala stages a solo work currently tittled Ekasi Lam' adapted from his full play, created and tailored for this season At TTT.
The Tin Town Theatre will also be introducing a new, exciting voice; Ayabonga Makanya, a young visionary who has in the past year presented his work to the Theatre. He stages Induku a thrilling solo work driven by great text, dance and movement.
In addition, Masai Sepuru brings his much loved, 'talk of the town' Production; "The tragedy of Samuel Omunye" A Production I saw at The TX Theatre and thought given a chance and further development, it's well on it's way to becoming a fresh, exciting mainstream South African text.
Katlego Chale, an incredible artist and academic, will stretch himself across all four Productions, with assistance from the TTT to offer support and dramaturgy to these works.
The Tin Town Theatre NPC and our entire team couldn't be prouder to present these young resilient creators' works.
This May is summed up as one big moment of inspiration and pride.
I'm am proud to see this happen. I'm proud to be part of it. I'm honored to witness the spirit of art keeping all of us inspired.
The Tin Town Theatre NPC
Gallery
the directors
Marcus Tebogo Desando
Tshepo Samuel Ratona
Phumeza Damane
Marcus Tebogo Desando; the Non-Executive Director and founder of Tin Town Theatre. Originally from Pretoria Marcus (a Naledi awards nominee for best Actor in a Musical) started his Career with PACT in 1989 as a singer and moved to Cape Town Opera (CAPAB) in 1994 where his career as a director and principal singer started. As a singer Marcus sang in over 75 Operas, Musical theatre productions and Concerts in South Africa and abroad. He travelled the world Singing and directing with New York Harlem Productions, Really Useful Company, Pieter Toerien Productions and Cape Town Opera. Marcus has had the honour of being invited by University of Stellenbosch, Tshwane University of Technology, and UCT: college of music and UKZN OCSA (opera school) as a guest lecturer. with over 40 productions, ranging from Opera to Concerts, under his belt his production of Rigoletto was recorded and televised by SABC 2. As a proponent for change within the performing arts Marcus has become a driving force in development and training of young South African artists and aspiring arts administrators. His Passion for the arts has shown in his leadership of Gauteng Opera and now as CEO of The Arts & Culture Trust. He has worked in executive positions as Artistic Director and CEO for Black Tie Ensemble, BTE VO1ss and Gauteng Opera.
Tshepo Samuel Ratona; currently the Executive Director and Producer at The Tin Town Theatre and the Executive Producer for a film company Motion art Productions. Tshepo’s most recent works include the celebrated Drama series on SABC 1 TJOVITJO (writer) and he was also one of the writers in SABC1’s Top Telenovela; UZALO - S04 and some of Ratona’s theatre works include Taking back the future, Tronkvoel - The Opera, Cradle under the shade. Marikana-The Musical (Assistant Director), which walked away with six Naledi Awards in 2014 including 'Best Director', Interracial written by Aubrey Sekhabi and Paul Grootboom as well as Mother Courage and Her Children written by Betolt Brecht, The Movement, The Infidel, The Export and Primal and With a firm belief that art can be used for more than just entertainment, he has worked with a number of companies and government departments writing and directing industrial texts. When Home Theatre came to South Africa for the first time after its success in the United Kingdom and Brazil, SAST called upon him to come on as one of the mentor directors in creating 30 plays for 30 homes. As an acting coach Tshepo has played a fundamental role in the making of young Artists whom have now become well-established artists and have done great professional works in both theatre and television.
Phumeza Damane; is a student at Wits Drama for Life (DFL) in partnership with the Joburg theatre, in a course called Applied Performing Arts and Arts Management (APAAM) with a specific focus on the technical aspect of production. She worked on DFL Conference and Festival as a venue manager for 3 consecutive years since 2017. Her stage management experience includes Snatched, Woza Albert, Women Walk Together (WWT), A Night Of Kwaito, New Melody and an ASM at the Live Events Technical and Production Conference (LETPC 2019), SARA initiative. She was a lighting designer incubatee at the Market theatre for a show called FRONTIERS. She is currently the production manager and a performer on Debt Rehabilitation campaign by the City of Johannesburg. Phumeza has also worked in wardrobe department at Pieter Torien Production on shows like Annie (2016), Evita (Johannesburg and Cape Town) (2017-2018), The Sound of music (2018), Matilda (2018) and also worked in the wardrobe department as a dresser at Gauteng Opera’s Cula Mzanzi (2015 & 2016), Lelisir Damore (2016) and then as a wardrobe mistress for La Bohame (2017).
the directors
Marcus Tebogo Desando
Marcus Tebogo Desando; the Non-Executive Director and founder of Tin Town Theatre. Originally from Pretoria Marcus (a Naledi awards nominee for best Actor in a Musical) started his Career with PACT in 1989 as a singer and moved to Cape Town Opera (CAPAB) in 1994 where his career as a director and principal singer started. As a singer Marcus sang in over 75 Operas, Musical theatre productions and Concerts in South Africa and abroad. He travelled the world Singing and directing with New York Harlem Productions, Really Useful Company, Pieter Toerien Productions and Cape Town Opera. Marcus has had the honour of being invited by University of Stellenbosch, Tshwane University of Technology, and UCT: college of music and UKZN OCSA (opera school) as a guest lecturer. with over 40 productions, ranging from Opera to Concerts, under his belt his production of Rigoletto was recorded and televised by SABC 2. As a proponent for change within the performing arts Marcus has become a driving force in development and training of young South African artists and aspiring arts administrators. His Passion for the arts has shown in his leadership of Gauteng Opera and now as CEO of The Arts & Culture Trust. He has worked in executive positions as Artistic Director and CEO for Black Tie Ensemble, BTE VO1ss and Gauteng Opera.
Tshepo Samuel Ratona
Tshepo Samuel Ratona; currently the Executive Director and Producer at The Tin Town Theatre and the Executive Producer for a film company Motion art Productions. Tshepo’s most recent works include the celebrated Drama series on SABC 1 TJOVITJO (writer) and he was also one of the writers in SABC1’s Top Telenovela; UZALO - S04 and some of Ratona’s theatre works include Taking back the future, Tronkvoel - The Opera, Cradle under the shade. Marikana-The Musical (Assistant Director), which walked away with six Naledi Awards in 2014 including 'Best Director', Interracial written by Aubrey Sekhabi and Paul Grootboom as well as Mother Courage and Her Children written by Betolt Brecht, The Movement, The Infidel, The Export and Primal and With a firm belief that art can be used for more than just entertainment, he has worked with a number of companies and government departments writing and directing industrial texts. When Home Theatre came to South Africa for the first time after its success in the United Kingdom and Brazil, SAST called upon him to come on as one of the mentor directors in creating 30 plays for 30 homes. As an acting coach Tshepo has played a fundamental role in the making of young Artists whom have now become well-established artists and have done great professional works in both theatre and television.
Phumeza Damane
Phumeza Damane; is a student at Wits Drama for Life (DFL) in partnership with the Joburg theatre, in a course called Applied Performing Arts and Arts Management (APAAM) with a specific focus on the technical aspect of production. She worked on DFL Conference and Festival as a venue manager for 3 consecutive years since 2017. Her stage management experience includes Snatched, Woza Albert, Women Walk Together (WWT), A Night Of Kwaito, New Melody and an ASM at the Live Events Technical and Production Conference (LETPC 2019), SARA initiative. She was a lighting designer incubatee at the Market theatre for a show called FRONTIERS. She is currently the production manager and a performer on Debt Rehabilitation campaign by the City of Johannesburg. Phumeza has also worked in wardrobe department at Pieter Torien Production on shows like Annie (2016), Evita (Johannesburg and Cape Town) (2017-2018), The Sound of music (2018), Matilda (2018) and also worked in the wardrobe department as a dresser at Gauteng Opera’s Cula Mzanzi (2015 & 2016), Lelisir Damore (2016) and then as a wardrobe mistress for La Bohame (2017).