The state of the performing arts in Buffalo City: Past, Present, and Future. An analysis of the Guild Theatre and Steve Biko
| dc.contributor.advisor | Connor, T. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Vunukwa, Siyanda | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-07-16T14:06:32Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-07-16T14:06:32Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2020 | |
| dc.description | Master's Dissertation | |
| dc.description.abstract | South Africa has changed dramatically over the last 25 years. This study explores how these changes have affected the performing arts at the grassroots level. The Guild Theatre and Steve Biko Centre’s theatre in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality are used as case studies to illustrate how performing arts institutes in small towns stay relevant and financially sound in the face of significant social and economic change. The hope is that other emerging performing art organisations can learn from the experiences of these two successful ones. The study made use of mixed methods in the form of in-depth interviews with key individuals within the theatres and questionnaires for patrons and performers. The results show that the performing arts play a substantial role in society. They do not just provide entertainment but social commentary, education and economic opportunities. Both theatres have social outreach programmes that help the youth by teaching them new skills and creating new opportunities for them to develop in character. Even though the performing arts play such an important role, they are still underfunded. The inconsistency of government and private funding is a threat to the financial sustainability of the performing arts and undermines their ability to play their role in community building. More studies need to conducted on the topic of the role of the arts in small towns as there is great potential for economic and social development in these areas. | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Vunukwa, S. 2021. The state of the performing arts in Buffalo City: Past, present, and future. An analysis of the Guild Theatre and Steve Biko Centre. Master's dissertation. University of Fort Hare. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11837/4099 | |
| dc.publisher | University of Fort Hare | |
| dc.subject | Perfoming arts | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Theater--South Africa | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Arts and society--South Africa | |
| dc.title | The state of the performing arts in Buffalo City: Past, Present, and Future. An analysis of the Guild Theatre and Steve Biko | |
| dc.type | Thesis |