POPArt is a Johannesburg based independent production company and performing arts centre specialising in the Live Arts.
P.O.P Art stands for People of Performing Art, and that’s exactly what we are about : providing a necessary support structure for emerging and established performing artists to realise new work in a sustainable and healthy way!
Our company aims to nurture, develop, produce and present art that makes a difference, and to consistently encourage artists to consider and realise their impact in society.
Our artistic vision is guided by our love for Storytelling and its ability to expand empathy and awareness amongst audiences, particularly when it comes to key social issues. We believe in universally inclusive programming, and pay special cognisance to under represented communities and stories.
Through our projects and programming, we seek to :
- Expand empathy
- Create awareness
- Enable experiences that connect us
- Share Joy and Love
- Create work that is responsible and understands the power of its medium to enable change
As you can see by our site, we do lots of other things too to sustain our creative practises. Wherever and however we choose to lend our myriad of skills (built up by years of our very specific practise) has, at its core, the intention of making a positive contribution to the society in which we operate. The brilliant qualities inherent in art and storytelling are those that we take into all of our work.
A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY
We started POPArt in March 2011 in downtown Johannesburg in the Maboneng Precinct. Our vision was to create a new and accessible space for performing arts in Johannesburg: a space where the people of performing art could come together to network, and develop and share ideas.
Years later, POPArt has established itself as a premiere space and company that is known for developing productions and a new audience base by changing the way that the general public perceives live and South African entertainment. Over the past few years, POPArt’s contribution to the industry at large has been acknowledged with several awards including the Naledi Theatre Awards executive directors award (2017), The Arts and Culture Trust ImpACT award (2015) and the Mail & Guardian top 200 Young South Africans award.
In 2020, POPArt made the call to move spaces – foregoing a permanent space to become a production hub (online and POPUps) while working toward building a new space. Then Covid Happened. In 2024, we found a new HQ in Parkwood, where we have established a new and exciting performing arts centre! We continue to present work in partner spaces too.
VISION
“POPArt specialises in the creation, development, showcasing and promotion of new South African entertainment works and cultural products. Through the nurturing of quality work, we aim to elevate the global reputation of South African entertainment and entertainers, and promote art that makes a difference to society at large”
Access our full company profile HERE.
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TEAM
POPArt is an owner operated, female-led business with a small team & a whole lotta heart. The management team consists of :
Hayleigh Evans : Co-founder & everything
Creative & Operations Director
One of the founding members of POPArt Studios, Hayleigh graduated with a BA Hon from AFDA in 2007. In addition to her achievements at POPArt, she has major experience in promotion of arts and culture through her work as brand manager of Johannesburg’s Maboneng Precinct from 2010 – 2014. She was recognised as one of Mail & Guardian’s top 200 Young South Africans in 2015.
Samkelisiwe Khuzwayo : Marketing Team Manager
Samkelisiwe is a graduate of AFDA Durban, 2019. She joined the POPArt team in 2022. Samukelisiwe is a highly accomplished professional, holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in Motion Picture from AFDA, with a specialization in Television Writing & Producing. Herjourney in the industry began to flourish as an Audio Description Writer, Editor, and Voicer at ShazaCin Accessible Media post-graduation, providing her with a profound understanding of accessible media and diverse storytelling.
Thabiso Chrisophocus Seboka : Producer – In House Productions & Brands
Chrisophocus joined the POPArt team through the Yes4Youth Programme in 2023. He is a dynamic performer and a graduate from the prestigious Market Theatre Laboratory. With a career that spans several decades, Christophocus has showcased his versatility and skill in various capacities. Notably, he served as a presenter on the popular youth television show “Craze” on ETV, capturing audiences with his charisma and engaging personality. His exceptional contributions were further recognized as he became a pivotal part of the outstanding ensemble cast of “KiDDING,” a production that earned a coveted Standard Bank Ovation award at the National Arts Festival in 2023.
FULL TIME TEAM
POPArt’s full time team consists of interns from the Yes4Youth and Cathsseta programs, and ad hoc team members.
POPArt FAMILY :
The POPArt family is made up of our previous intern alumni, who often return to work with us on our various projects.
Our FOH team is made up of friendly, inspired actors and representatives of POPArt who love theatre so much that they show up all the time!
Collaborators & Partners :
POPArt achieves our wide range of work by collaborating with a number of awesome professionals who are at the top of their game in their specific fields. Instead of growing our in-house team, we believe in empowering people to generate their own sustainable businesses, supported by collaborations.
FOUNDING MEMBERS :
POPArt was initially established by Hayleigh Evans, Shoki Mokgapa and Orly Shapiro. All partners’ legacy lives in the work that we continue to do as we maintain the original vision of the company.