Dorcas Johnson

Dorcas Johnson (1966-2009). African-American actress who played the role of Thandi in the première production of Paul Slabolepszy's Fordsburg’s Finest at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg in 1998.

Biography

A nationally and internationally acclaimed actor, Ms. Dorcas M. Johnson performed onstage and on television. As a performer in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, she appeared in the theaters of London, Paris and Hamburg, Germany. She performed in South Africa in Fordsburg’s Finest, which won one of the country's renowned Vita Awards. In America, received an AUDELCO Recognition Award for excellence in African-American theater for her performance in the off-Broadway 20th anniversary production of for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf. [1] [2]

Training

Studied at Northwestern University in Chicago, USA.

Career

Wrote and performed a number of one-woman shows concerning the female, African-American urban experience at the beginning of the 21st century. She also appeared as a guest star on Law & Order and earned principal roles on popular soap operas, including All My Children and One Life to Live. Amongst others she also had parts in Are You Afraid of the Dark?: The Tale of Orpheo's Curse (1994) and New York Undercover (1994).

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

Played the role of Thandi in the première production of Paul Slabolepszy's Fordsburg’s Finest with Marius Weyers and Slabolepszy, under direction of Lara Foot-Newton at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg in 1998.

Awards, etc

An AUDELCO Recognition Award for excellence in African-American theater for her performance in the off-Broadway 20th anniversary production of for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf.