The State Theater's annual report for the 23/24 financial year shows how the theater benefited from hosting Black Lovebones.
The South African State Theater (SAST) annual report for the 2023/2024 financial year was recently released and clearly shows how the theater has benefited from its residential weekly music festival, Black Labone. There is.
This comes after SAST Artistic Director Aubrey Sekubi publicly acknowledged that Black Labone kept the National Theater afloat months before the annual report was released.
“I have to say it to you because you kept us alive,” Sekubi told a Black Labone audience in August as the weekly Tshwane Festival celebrated its seventh anniversary. .
Also read: State Theater opens doors to Black Labone after African Beer Emporium closes
How Black Labone saved the State Theater
Black Labone is an art movement from Tshwane that takes place every Thursday. It moved to the State Theater last November after its previous venue, African Beer Emporium (ABE), closed for business reasons.
“You may have read about us in the newspapers when there was a R24-million fraud. We were insolvent for most of last year. Part of us was penniless, but Black Labone kept this organization going because you were here,” said a feisty Sekubi at the time.
In 2023, a 41-year-old former SAST employee and four accomplices were arrested as a result of an investigation by the National Serious Corruption Investigation Team.
The allegations in this case relate to money laundering, fraud, and theft that occurred at SAST, which was reported on November 4, 2018.
Two SAST employees are said to have ignored supply chain processes and siphoned off money for personal gain.
The two employees created the invoices using the existing company's letterhead without the knowledge of the actual company, but changed the bank account details to those of the suspect's relatives and As a result, a total of R24 million was allegedly stolen.
Following the release of the report, The Citizen I contacted SAST and they agreed and promised to answer questions.
Despite requests for an extension of the deadline, the theater has not yet responded to questions.
Following Black Labone's theater move, Sekubi confirmed to Barron's that he had signed a contract with Black Labone's organizers to host weekly events until the end of November of that year.
Also read: Black Labone: Pretoria artist’s residence celebrates 6th anniversary
Report findings
The annual report serves as a means of accountability to shareholders and the South African public.
It has been prepared by the Administrator and approved by the Council in accordance with the Cultural Facilities Act (Act No. 119 of 1998, as amended in 2001) and the Financial Management Act.
The report reveals that audience attendance and online streaming views at SAST have increased since Black Labone's debut.
Regarding revenue generation, the report claimed that although the annual revenue targets for ticket sales and theater rental income were not achieved, the amount of revenue received was a significant R7,049,935. Parking revenue (R8,018,121) and Front entrance revenue (R3,468,826).
“Both significantly exceeded our annual goals by 78%, which can be attributed to our strong annual viewership growth, which directly supports both revenue streams.”
The theater's front-of-house revenue report said: “The new partnership production 'Black Labone' in particular attracted large audiences, which contributed to the overachievement.”
It also helped theaters meet their streaming goals, as Black Labone streams every Thursday.
“The new partnership program had a large audience participation. Black Labone attracted large audiences who attended theatrical rentals focused on school-related productions, as well as large numbers of school children who attended productions of SAST set productions. Together, they contributed to the overachievement.”
Related article: Pretoria's iconic venue African Beer Emporium comes to an end after eight memorable years
pull out numbers
A total of 130,145 viewers attended the production and related events, against the annual goal of 100,000.
Black Labone draws between 500 and 1000 people each week. The annual anniversary celebration, called Earth Day Celebration, draws more than 4,000 patrons.
“We estimate that our last Earth Day celebration may have drawn up to 4,000 people,” says Black Labone co-founder Isa. The Citizen.
During the Earth Day celebration in August, three stages were placed in different parts of the theater, each drawing a crowd of passionate music lovers. Other attendees milled around the book, food, art, and clothing stalls.
Sekabi said in his August preamble that the theater had made the decision to cancel Thursday night's performance due to crowds that day.
“So, we canceled all performances in the evening. There are four theaters,” Sekubi said, highlighting the segregated space in the eastern block of theaters set aside to house Black Laboon.
The four theaters Sekavi mentions are the Intimate Theatre, Sibusiso Kwinana Theatre, Arena Theater and Drama Theatre. These are four of the theater's six stages that will be closed for Black Labone.
“We said we won't perform in these theaters, because we don't want people coming here and not knowing what's going on and going home and writing bad things about us. Because there isn't.
Also read: Folklore Festival opens with Black Labone's Earth Day Celebration at State Theater
Black Labone's Hope
Isa said she was pleasantly surprised by the report's findings, but had not yet spoken to SAST about the nature of the future relationship.
“I can actually acknowledge that we have made multiple strides as an organization since joining the theater,” Isa said. The Citizen on friday.
“Many staff and team members at the State Theater have mentioned on several occasions that Black Labone was a shock to the system. It was unlike anything they had seen before,” he said. .
Isa describes Black Labone as a “glorified jam session” because patrons pay no admission fee other than a donation, and performers are not paid a booking fee.
Because of this, Black Labone was unable to book certain artists. This is because the artist cannot afford it or is unwilling to perform pro bono. He hopes the theater can help move forward in this regard.
“I hope the State Theater will help us secure artists that audiences want to see at Black Labone,” Isa said.
Black Labone collaborates with other festivals, where stages are named after their movements.
Their consistent production of weekly shows that attract large numbers of music lovers has led to calls for Black Labone to host their own annual festival separate from the weekly installments.
“That's definitely something we've been working on. We've been seen as a weekly festival. We want to do it on a much bigger scale. I have a dream of holding a truly wonderful festival.
“But we want to do it right,” Isa concluded.
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