Township to the Stage: A Comic Journey Documentary on South African comedians. Armed with their controversial, taboo breaking material, a group of young comics attempt to create their own brand of comedy in post-apartheid South Africa. http://www.townshiptothestage.com/blog/index.php Charities http://www.townshiptothestage.com/blog/index.php?entry=13 Doing reputable work all over the world and especially in Africa, these are charities in which we believe. They focus on various aspects of philanthropy and we invite you to check them out and get involved.

Camfed
By educating girls and empowering women to become leaders of change, Camfed fights poverty and HIV/AIDS in Africa through operating community-based programs that place the needs of individual girls at the heart of their work.

Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project
The Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) is committed to creating a safer and healthier life for impoverished children and communities of South Africa, and other African nations, with a particular focus on individuals suffering from HIV/AIDS.

Water.org
Co-founded by Matt Damon and Gary White, Water.org is a nonprofit organization that has transformed hundreds of communities in Africa, South Asia, and Central America by providing access to safe water and sanitation. Water.org works with local partners to deliver innovative solutions for long-term success in terms of providing safe water to those in need.

Comic Relief
Comic Relief’s vision is “a just world free from poverty.” Their mission, thanks to their comedy heritage and the relationship they enjoy with the BBC, is “positive change through the power of entertainment.”

]]> About the Film http://www.townshiptothestage.com/blog/index.php?entry=12 In South Africa's young stand up comedy scene, where black comedians have only been performing for the past twelve years, twenty-six year old Trevor Noah has quickly risen to prominence as one of the country's most beloved entertainers. The child of an interracial couple--a union that was illegal in South Africa at the time of his birth--Trevor uses his unique experiences to create comedic material that is truly one of a kind.

However, despite his success, Trevor's career as a comedian is still largely relegated to headlining at corporate events. Determined to pursue his dream of performing all over the world, Trevor decides to produce his first one man show, despite only having a couple years experience as a stand up comedian.

Facing criticism from other comics, lingering family tension from the past, and in a country still battling the legacy of apartheid, Trevor endures many obstacles as the date of his show draws near. Yet nothing can prepare him for the worst: his mom getting shot just weeks before his performance. Though she survives the attack, this type of tragedy is unprecedented for Trevor, and on the eve of his show, he questions if he should even be on stage.

]]> Thank you to all of our supporters... http://www.townshiptothestage.com/blog/index.php?entry=11
It's simple: without your support, Township to the Stage would not be possible. Your donation has done everything from paying the crew to renting equipment to making sure we don't go hungry!




Thank you so much for your generosity. I'm truly humbled and encouraged by it. I look forward to completing the project and sharing that success with you all.




Finally, if you haven't yet made a donation and would like to, there's still time. Make yours today!




Keep the faith!




--David Paul Meyer



Special Thanks


  • Anthony Anderson

  • Adam Glass

  • Garry and Peggy Meyer

  • Mike and Rachel Noto

  • Mathew Rowe

  • Janet M. Kalin

  • Amanda Yost

  • Peter Bieber

  • Linda L. Wangerin

  • George B. Kalin

  • Mark Martyak

  • Daniel M. Pudi

  • Daniel Smith

  • Domique Bischof

  • Robert Davis

  • Kin Sun Yung

  • Amy Halthaway

  • Micah Wangerin

  • Shane Shipley

  • Laura Lee

  • Hunt Davis

  • Morton Meyer

  • Jennifer Donahoe

  • Dennis Sullivan

  • Greg Volk

  • Tamara McIntyre

  • Elizabeth Brown

  • Joseph Franklin

  • Laura Mills

  • Tim Miller

  • Luke Pearson

  • Chris Sexton

  • Ken Bieber

  • Muhammad Yahia

  • Kinsey McLean

  • Chris Franklin

  • Chris Kearney

  • Katherine Dulin

  • Shannon Meyer

  • Kinsey McLean

]]> South African comic Trevor Noah in LA http://www.townshiptothestage.com/blog/index.php?entry=10

Date: Friday, November 6, 2009
Time: 9:00pm
Location:
The Comedy Store - Belly Room
8433 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90069
Tickets $15 at door

Date: Saturday, November 7, 2009...BYOB!!!
Time: 8:00pm - 9:30pm
Location:
Westside Comedy Theater
1323-A 3rd Street Promenade
Santa Monica, CA
Tickets: $10 at door or online.

Date: Sunday, November 8, 2009
Time: 9:00pm - 11:00pm
Location:
The Ice House Comedy Club
24 N Mentor Avenue
Pasadena, CA
Tickets: $10 by calling 213-905-8887, or $15 at door.

See you there!

]]> A Nation of Contrasts http://www.townshiptothestage.com/blog/index.php?entry=3 this article, one can quickly see why Bishop Desmond Tutu coined the term "Rainbow Nation" to describe a post-apartheid South Africa.



False Bay at Cape Point


Johannesburg


With its eleven official languages, dozens of ethnic groups, and varied religious beliefs, the country truly is culturally and socio-economically diverse.



V&A Waterfront, Cape Town


Soweto


Here in Johannesburg (our base of operations during production), the contrast between rich and poor is also very evident: juxtaposed images of wealth and poverty can be seen on many street corners. This collision of First World and Third World contributes to a high crime rate that unfortunately is often used to paint a very one-dimensional picture of the city.



Cape of Good Hope


Squatter camp in Lenasia


Still, it is in the contrasts where a group of young South Africans search for their own unique identities as comedians...

And if any of that came off as a bit too serious, here's a clip from one of Trevor Noah's standup routines:


Trevor discusses the end of apartheid in South Africa and its subsequent presidents: Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Kgalema Motlanthe, and the country's current president, Jacob Zuma.

]]>