The starting point for this project was to undertake reciprocal performances in order to establish a collaborative creative exchange. By regularly observing classes, it was possible to gain insights into the various aspects of theatre training at WITS. Students were able to create their own tailor-made weekly programme. One of the main reasons for scheduling the exchange in August 2013 was to have it coincide with the SEX actually festival – a celebration of performances dealing with the subject of AIDS and homosexuality. Accordingly, it was possible for students to engage with the subject matter of a political topic in a discipline-specific manner, as well as to engage in performances and gain insights into an educational culture across a range of performance disciplines. A significant aspect of the exchange was to have the students of WITS University travel to the ZHdK the following spring after our visit. Unfortunately, however, this never materialised, owing to a change in management within the Drama for Life programme of WITS University in summer 2013, which resulted in WITS University not being able to support the project with the required applications for financial support.
Basis for collaboration and objectives:
• Similar to the ZHdK, the WITS University in Johannesburg offers a broad spectrum of artistic study, and is eminently interested in transdisciplinary teaching methods.
• WITS University is of a similar size to the ZHdK.
• It is most significant that students and teaching staff from Zurich are able to engage with artistic training in an environment that is full of social, political and historical contradictions, social conflicts and post-colonial problems. Students acquire discourse and critical abilities in relation to their own works, and in the works of others.
• Cooperation with WITS University should lead to options for further extension of the curriculum.