Cornelia Faasen

Cornelia Faasen (19**-) is a lecturer, theatre practitioner and arts administrator.

BEING WRITTEN/EDITED

Biography

She studied Drama and Theatre Studies at the University of Stellenbosch, obtaining her Master's degree (Cum Laude) in 2009 (this included a research component undertaken at the University of Amsterdam). The thesis, entitled Theatre as alternative historical narrative : a study of three plays: Ubu and the Truth Commission, Copenhagen and Ghetto was published in English by LAP (Lambert Academic Publishing) in Germany, in 2010.

In 2025 she also completed a BPhil in Public Administration and Development Studies at the School for Public Leadership in the Stellenbosch University Business School.

She lives in Stellenbosch, Western Cape.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

As theatre practitioner

While a drama student and a period afterwards, she was involved with the production of a number of plays for the drama department and other companies, including:

2001: SA Rock Alternatief (production manager)

2001: Yes and Know to the Freedom Chatter (assistant director)

2002: The Lounge: Place of Anticipation (assistant director)

2008: Bafana Republic 2: Extra Time (producer/marketing manager)

As administrator

In 2010, she was appointed as Head of Arts and Culture at the University of the Free State, a position focused on transformation and integration through arts and culture among the student population following the infamous "Reitz video" affair. (This refers to a court case about a video made by four white students at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, in which they showed their humiliation of five black employees on campus. The video and the case drew worldwide attention to entrenched racism on the campus.)[1]

She then progressed to Director and Assistant Dean of Student Affairs in 2013, before being appointed Dean of Student Affairs in 2015.

Since 2016, Faasen has served as CEO of the Nasionale Afrikaanse Teater-inisiatief (National Afrikaans Theatre Initiative, orNATi), where she provides strategic leadership for this national cultural organization focused on funding and developing new theatre productions and collaborating with producing festivals. NATi has a particular interest in Afrikaans as part of the South African landscape of indigenous languages, with a focus on alternative narratives and previously marginalized voices in Afrikaans theatre.

Faasen's leadership extends beyond her primary roles through board memberships and panel work. Among others, she has served terms as a Board Member of the Joint Advisory Arts Board at UFS in 2020 and 2021, a founding board member of the Tribuo Artist Fund (a relief fund for artists established in 2020), Deputy Chairperson and EXCO member for the Theatre and Dance Alliance (TADA, since its inception in 2021 till 2024), Chairperson of the Festival Enterprise Catalyst Steering Committee (from 2024), Chairperson of the Festival Enterprise Catalyst, the Festival Forum and serves on the board of the South African Theatre Industries Chamber.

Her extensive panel experience includes serving on panels for the Silwerskerm Film Festival (2016-2018), the KKNK Kanna Awards (2013-2014), and the KykNET Fiesta Awards (2011, 2012, 2014). She often also participates in industry discussions and panels.

As lecturer

Concurrently with her other activities, she has been a part-time lecturer at the Drama Department at Stellenbosch University since 2018, specializing in Advanced Theory and Media Studies for postgraduate students and Introduction to the Industry for undergraduates.