Jennie Reznek is multihyphenate. She is a performer, theatremaker, director, choreographer, lecturer, co-founder, trustee and director of Magnet Theatre. She has also worked as an aerialist and clown in the circus. We sat down with her at the Magnet Theatre offices to discuss her career, the challenges of founding a theatre company and the moments that have inspired her. Continue reading
Tankiso Mamabolo is a recent graduate of UCT who has burst onto the scene. Before graduating she performed in Black Dog/injemnyama which had a successful run at the Baxter Theatre. Tankiso also co-created and starred in the critically acclaimed production of The Fall which went on to win an Encore Award at this year’s Fleur du Cap Awards and will be returning to the Baxter later this year. Following that, Tankiso will reprise her role in Ameera Conrad’s Reparation at the National Arts Festival followed by starring in the highly anticipated new South African musical Calling Me Home. Continue reading
When The Fugard Theatre announced their plans to stage a production of Funny Girl, the first question on everyone’s mind was, “Who will land the legendary role of Fanny Brice?” The answer to that question is Ashleigh Harvey. Far from being an unknown, Ashleigh has spent most of her career performing straight plays, most of them being classical works and even snagging a Naledi Award nomination along the way. However, once you hear her belt out the iconic show-stopping numbers in Funny Girl, it’s hard not to become an instant fan. Continue reading
Stage and screen actress Tinarie van Wyk Loots is currently performing in Hemelruim at The Fugard Theatre, a role that has already awarded her Best Actress at The Aardklop National Arts Festival, the KKNK and at the kykNET Fiëstas 2016. In this year alone, Tinarie has already appeared on stage in five major productions. Awards and production credits aside, Tinarie radiates passion for the work that she does.
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Stage and screen actress Denise Newman has been a professional actor for over 30 years. Throughout the course of her career, Denise has managed to move seamlessly between the mediums of theatre, film and television, picking up multiple awards along the way. Currently, she has revived her acclaimed one-woman show Cold Case: Revisiting Dulcie September, for a short run at Alexander Bar. By day, Denise is starring on Suidooster. We sat down to chat about the complex life and death of Dulcie September, the demands of performing in theatre and television simultaneously and the advice she’d give to her younger self. Continue reading
Sylvaine Strike is an award-winning actress, director and theatremaker as well as the artistic director and co-founder of Fortune Cookie Theatre Company. In 2012 she received critical acclaim for her direction of Molière’s The Miser. In the last month, she has won a SAFTA award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Those Who Can’t and received a Kanna nomination for her direction of DOP at the KKNK fees. Her latest production of Molière’s Tartuffe has just launched on its national tour. Continue reading
Nicky Schrire is a versatile vocalist and composer whose work has taken her all over the world. Her latest piece, Escape: The Ingrid Jonker Suite has required Nicky to revisit the work of acclaimed South African poet, Ingrid Jonker, and create a unique theatre experience setting the iconic poems to music. We sat down with Nicky at Alexander Bar to chat about the show and her perception on the current climate for female musicians. Continue reading
Over the course of her career, stage and screen actress Jennifer Steyn has gifted audiences with some truly iconic performances. Fresh off her recent Fleur du Cap Theatre Award win for her role as Sara in Lara Foot‘s The Inconvenience of Wings, Jennifer is back on stage, this time tackling the role of the strong-willed painter Galactia in Howard Baker’s Scenes from an Execution. In addition to her work as an actress, Jennifer is also a director and a voice and performance teacher. We sat down with her at the Baxter Theatre to discuss her new production, her career and the moments that have inspired her.
Carlynn de Waal-Smit is essentially a superhero in the industry. She is an agent and founder of Contractors Artists. She is also an advocate for the rights of professional actors, serving as the National Secretary of SAGA, a guild which she helped form. She also serves on the executive board of the PMA. For the past few years, Carlynn has championed for fair and ethical treatment of performers in the industry. We sat down to discuss SAGA, the misconceptions surrounding being an agent and the future for actors in South Africa. Continue reading
Hayleigh Evans is a theatremaker and co-founder of POPArt, an independent Johannesburg based theatre, production company and performing arts centre that is located in the heart of Maboneng. Now in its 6th year, POPArt has become a staple in the Johannesburg theatre industry and has helmed some of South Africa’s most exciting, edgy and celebrated work. Continue reading
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