POPUpgrade
We’ve come a long way since we started with two parcans and a mixing desk, but we want to go further to make POPArt a more comfortable for our audiences…
After 5 years in the biz, POPArt has established ourselves as a home for all levels of performing artists in Johannesburg, as well as a space for audiences to enjoy a quality & fun cultural experience. But, sometimes, it’s not always so comfortable.
In our online feedback forms, we’ve had some pretty consistent feedback – which, paraphrased, is : “BRILLIANT SHOW! Loved it” and then always buuuuut :
– The chairs were really uncomfortable / broke / badly positioned
– It was so hot in the room we nearly passed out
– The front of house is super crammed
– I was seated right next to the technical desk which hampered the experience.
WE HEAR YOU!!!! And we want to do something to improve that! So, with a small contribution, you can make us help a BIG change with
THE POPUpgrade
The POPUpgrade means the following awesome changes for the theatre :
– Installation of new comfortable cushioned seating (very kindly donated by the Fugard Theatre)
– New cushioned floor seating
– Two air conditioning units
– A special raised technical platform
– A front of house upgrade for smooth ticket collection and bar buying
Our priority items are the seating and cooling systems, and everything else would mean an even better experience either side of enjoying the show!
Who are we
We’re a small owner operated business with a lot of heart. If you’ve come to POPArt, you will have met us, in other words. If you’ve never been to POPArt, we are a small team of 3: Hayleigh, Orly and Kwame who run the space. We’ve been in the business of helping new and dynamic South African work get seen for just under 5 years now, and are committed to the promotion of South African performing artists and their products!
*There we are in the middle with an award for ImpACT in theatre from the Arts & Culture Trust
Our milestones
MILESTONE 1 : R 30 000
Our first milestone is what we need to get the basics right: Chairs & One air conditioning unit. We have the chairs that have already been transported from Cape Town sitting in the basement waiting to give you a comfy seat, buuuut Installation costs! We will also be purchasing additional cushioned movable seating for the floor rows, as well as purchase one air conditioning unit to alleviate some of that heat when we’re lucky enough to have a full house!
FULL PROJECT COST : R 110 000
The remainder of the project budget will go toward the following:
– Cushioned stackable chairs for floor seating
– not one, BUT TWO, air conditioning units
– a raised technical booth, away from the audience
– an extended and upgraded front of house and bar area
– Any additional raised cash will go toward technical equipment
Our project timeline is 45 days, so that we can reach our milestone by our 5th Birthday in mid May. So come on, and celebrate 5 years of Choose Live with us. In addition to your special rewards- you’ll also get to enjoy a whole new POPArt experience
THE TEAM : The POP(t)arts & Kwame
POPArt is an owner operated business with a small team & a whole lotta heart
Hayleigh Evans & Orly Shapiro : Co-directors and everything’s
Hayleigh and Orly studied their BA in Performing Arts together at AFDA, graduating in 2006. While Hayleigh went on to complete her BA Hons the following year, Orly set out to travel the globe (which included a work stint at the Edinburgh Festival). Following some years, several odd jobs and further studies by both ladies, the pair reconnected in 2010, where they decided that starting up a space for performing arts would be a whole lot more effective than complaining about the state of the industry… and so POPArt was born.
Both ladies were recognised as Cosmopolitan’s Fun Fearless Females of the Year in 2012, as well as in the Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans in 2015.
Kwame Sibeko : Venue Manager, technician & everything
Also most fondly known as our resident DJ Click for #theboxcomedy, Kwame is an integral part of the POPArt team, looking after each production that comes through the space… He is also a musical genius…