From 14 – 25 July, the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (FADA) came alive with colour, creativity, and collaboration as over 300 second-year students took part in Theatre 101 a unique, interdisciplinary learning experience aimed at reimagining the future of theatre. Hosted at the FADA auditorium and atrium on the Bunting Road Campus, this intensive project brought together students from theatre design, marketing, fashion, and fine art to conceptualise and present work inspired by the classic The Bacchae of Euripides: An African Ballet.
Over two weeks, students were grouped into 25 dynamic teams and tasked with bringing their artistic visions to life. The challenge: to explore themes from various design lenses including set and prop design, costume and jewellery construction, visual identity, and marketing strategy for the Bacchae of Euripides set to premiere at the Joburg Theatre in 2026.
Their learning journey was enriched by a powerful lineup of guest lecturers and speakers. These lectures gave students insight into real-world creative practices while helping them shape their own collaborative designs. From moodboards and swatch boards to posters, prototypes, jewellery pieces, and branding decks, each element reflected a deep engagement with the source material and the students’ ability to think critically and design boldly.
The students demonstrated an impressive range of skills, research, and imagination. Each presentation was evaluated by a panel of mentors and industry professionals who commended the students for their innovative thinking and the richness of their visual storytelling.
“Working on Theatre 101 challenged us to move beyond our comfort zones and trust our teammates. It felt like we were building something real, something that matters,” said Ntsiki Tsibani , a second-year Visual Art student. “It’s the first time I truly understood how design and theatre speak to each other.”
“I didn’t think I would enjoy collaborating outside my discipline this much. Seeing how costume, set design, and marketing all connect was eye-opening,” shared Tylisha Norman, a second-year Marketing student. “It felt like being part of a real production team.”
The initiative is part of UJ Arts & Culture’s broader mission to cultivate critical, cross-disciplinary thinking while offering students hands-on opportunities that mirror real-world creative industries. Theatre 101 encourages reflection, innovation, and the understanding that no great work is created in isolation; it thrives in collaboration.
“Marking and adjudicating the students this year was an exciting endeavor, I saw some really innovative work and serious creativity taking into account that we will not be working in our space, we will be working at the Joburg Theatre, it was testament to why this programme has had multiple award nominations and has received several awards,” says Karabo Mtshali, Operations Manager at UJ Arts & Culture.
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