Gearhouse Splitbeam Relies On Prosound

Gearhouse Splitbeam recently gathered the leading technical theatre talent in South Africa at the Market Theatre complex in Johannesburg to present a dynamic panel discussion about all things technical theatre.

With Prosound's background in technical theatre, the team was keen to join in and share its perspective.

The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in theatres across the country being forced to close their doors in compliance with ongoing lockdown restrictions. While this situation is not unique to South Africa, the country's limited capacity to offer relief measures has resulted in thousands of production professionals not being able to work or support their families for just over two years.

"While there has been an easing of restrictions and theatres are opening their doors again, the current limitations on indoor gatherings means that theatres are only able to operate at 50% capacity," explained Gearhouse Splitbeam Managing Director, Alistair Kilbee. "It is simply not financially viable to put on a big show under these restrictions."

However, in line with the ever-resilient spirit of the theatre, technical theatre professionals continue to hope and dream of the day that the lights will come up and the music will play for audiences hungry for the irreplaceable experience of live theatre, once more.

"Nobody can deny that it has been an incredibly tough two years for the technical theatre industry in South Africa, and all over the world," said Alistair. "However, we as an industry define ourselves by our ability to keep the show going, no matter what. It is this indomitable spirit that we hope to reignite by presenting the program Passion for Theatre from a Technical Perspective."

The day-long presentation took the form of two panel discussions with guests that represented the who’s-who of technical theatre in South Africa.
Hosted by renowned sound engineer Remember Chaitezvi, the panel included stage manager Thabo Pule, legendary lighting designer Denis Hutchinson, leading technical director Alistair Kilbee, award-winning scenic designer Nadine Minnaar, production stage manager Leigh-Ann Nanguia, and sound designer Akhona Bozo.

If this collection of brilliance was not enough, a second panel comprising renowned costume and scenic designer Noluthando Lobese, internationally recognized lighting designer Wilhelm Disbergen, renowned costume designer Lethabo Bereng, lighting and scenic designers Oliver Hauser and Mandla Mtshali, and award-winning sound designer and Prosound technical Director Mark Malherbe, presented the afternoon session.

"The idea behind this program was to get everybody out to the Market Theatre Complex and come together to remind each other why we love what we do, and why it is worth fighting for," remarked Alistair.

The program certainly achieved its goals as an engaging, interdisciplinary panel discussion turned into a treasured opportunity to reminisce about career highlights, laugh about technical challenges, and bond over a mutual love of all things theatre.

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