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 2020
COMING SOON
PLEASE NOTE
Due to the declaration of the state of disaster by the President of the Republic of South Africa on the 15th March 2020 guided by the National Disaster Management Act. The Tin Town Theatre has taken the following measures:
- To reschedule our programme and suspend all March and April 2020 events until further Notice.
- All our staff members will be working remotely in hopes of eliminating the risk of infection that comes with their daily commute.
The affected events include:
- Sacred Music by Johannesburg Opera in association with The TTT, which was scheduled for 29th March 2020.
- POW Sessions By Mona Monyane presented by POW Book Club and The TTT which was scheduled for the 21st of March 2020.
- Melanin by Thabang Chauke and Mxolisi Masilela presented by The Tx Theatre Productions and The TTT which was schedule for the 4th of April 2020.
- Morongwa by Masai Sepuru, presented by The TX Theatre and The TTT which was scheduled for the 5th of April 2020.
- Moitoi by Foundation M, created by Marcia Modise and Mahlubi Kraai presented in association with the Creative Industries Marketing Stockvel which was scheduled for the 6th April – 12th April 2020.
- Zips and Scissors by Khutjo Green presented by The Tin Town Theatre which was scheduled for the 20th April – 26th April 2020.
All presold tickets will be refunded should the suspension last more than 3 weeks or upon request.
| # | DATES | PROJECT TITLE | DIRECTORS | PRODUCERS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 3rd May 2020 | Recital | Marcus Desando | THE TIN TOWN THEATRE. |
| 2. | 10th May 2020 | Pow Sessions | Mona Monyane | POW BOOK CLUB IN ASSOCIATION WITH TTT |
| 3. | 11th May – 17th May 2020 | 2 Late | Mashupe Phala | CREATIVE INDUSTRIES MARKETING STOCKVEL IN ASSOCIATION WITH TTT |
| 4. | 21st May 2020 | The Launch | Bongani “Drama” Nomcweya | THE TIN TOWN THEATRE |
| 5. | 23rd and 24th May 2020 | NNE | Teresa Phuti Mojela | PHUTI PEDI PRODUCTIONS IN ASSOCIATION WITH TTT |
| 6. | 26th May – 30th May 2020 | The Movement | Tshepo Ratona | THE TIN TOWN THEATRE IN ASSOCIATION WITH MOTION ART PRODUCTIONS |
| 7. | 31st May 2020 | Recital | Marcus Desando | THE TIN TOWN THEATRE |
| 8. | 2nd June – 7th June 2020 | Above The Soil | Sisekho Velelo | THE TIN TOWN THEATRE |
| 9. | 8th June – 14th June 2020 | The Pilgrimage | Awande Dube | CREATIVE INDUSTRIES MARKETING STOCKVEL IN ASSOCIATION WITH TTT |
| 10. | 25th June 2020 | The Launch | Bongani “Drama” Nomcweya | THE TIN TOWN THEATRE |
| 11. | 13th July – 19th July 2020 | Lost | Mpho J Molepo | CREATIVE INDUSTRIES MARKETING STOCKVEL IN ASSOCIATION WITH TTT |
| 12. | 21st July – 26th July 2020 | Thabang | Katlego Skhosana | THE TIN TOWN THEATRE |
| 13. | 30th July 2020 | The Launch | Bongani “Drama” Nomcweya | THE TIN TOWN THEATRE |
| 14. | 2nd August 2020 | Recital | Phenye Modiane | JOHANNESBURG OPERA IN ASSOCIATION WITH TTT |
| 15. | 9th August 2020 | Pow sessions | Mona Monyane | POW BOOK CLUB IN ASSOCIATION WITH TTT |
| 16. | 10th August – 16th August 2020 | Chikumbutso | Lebohang Moroe | CREATIVE INDUSTRIES MARKETING STOCKVEL IN ASSOCIATION WITH TTT |
| 17. | 27th August 2020 | The Launch | Bongani “Drama” Nomcweya | THE TIN TOWN THEATRE |
| 18. | 31st August – 6th September 2020 | NEW PLAY TBC | TBC | THE TIN TOWN THEATRE |
| 19. | 7th September – 13th September 2020 | Girls and Gals | Charae Halley | CREATIVE INDUSTRIES MARKETING STOCKVEL IN ASSOCIATION WITH TTT |
| 20. | 20th September 2020 | Recital | Phenye Modiane | JOHANNESBURG OPERA IN ASSOCIATION WITH TTT |
| 21. | 24th September 2020 | The Launch | Bongani “Drama” Nomcweya | THE TIN TOWN THEATRE |
| 22. | 19th – 25th October 2020 | THE TIN TOWN THEATRE FESTIVAL | INDEPENDENT ARTISTS | THE TIN TOWN THEATRE |
| 23. | 2nd November – 8th November 2020 | New Musical | TBC | THE TIN TOWN THEATRE |
| 24. | 16th November – 22nd November 2020 | New stage Play | TBC | THE TIN TOWN THEATRE |
| 25. | 6th December 2020 | The Christmas Concert | Phenye Modiane | JOHANNESBURG OPERA IN ASSOCIATION WITH TTT |
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).