Gerben Kamper

Gerben Kamper (19*-). Actor, director, lecturer.

Biography

Born in 1950 (1951?) of Dutch immigrants who had fled the wartime Europe to settle in the Free State town of Henneman, later moving to Lydenburg, where Kamper completed his schooling.

He went to the University of Pretoria's newly founded Drama Department to obtain a B.Dram degree , later completing a BA Drama & Theatre Arts Honours and a MA in Drama and Theatre Arts, both at the University of the Free State (UFS)

He is married to , and the couple have

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

As an actor

Stage

He had roles in Alice's Adventures Underground, All in a Tangle...Op 'n Hoop Geknoop, Bobaas van die Boendoe, Die Keiser, Die Drie Van Der Walts, Maria Stuart, Met Permissie Gesê, Die Wonderwerk, My Liewe Meneer Malan, Die Rebellie van Lafras Verwey, Pavane, Amadeus, Die Dagboek van Anne Frank, Die Vrek, Oedipus Rex, Rashomon, Die Tragedie van Romeo en Juliet, Die Storm, Die Seemeeu, Straties, Die Verhoor, Tienuur Maak Die Deure Oop, Die Verminktes, Die Onverwagte Besoeker, Die Vader, 'n Maand op die Platteland, My Vrou se Man se Vrou.

In 2026 he announced that he was quitting the stage after the run of Liefde, Lafras to focus on his painting.[1]

Film and TV

As a playwright

He wrote the children’s plays Die Dorpsmusikante van Bremer, Rooikappie en die Wolf in Skaapklere.

As a director

He directed Christine (1990), Boesman and Lena, Graswewenaar, Die Groot Wit Roos, Maru, My Children!, My Africa!, Om 'n Jakkalsbessie, Over the Hill, Die Pakkamer, Under the Oaks, Skroot, Heilige Modder, Vonke uit Vuurklip, Kloue.

Awards, etc

He received several nominations for Vita Awards for productions such as Luc (director of the year) circa 1995, Die Pakkamer, circa 1996, Die Keiser (director of the year) 1992.

He was the Free State regional Vita Award winner for Die Keiser (best director) award year 1993.

Other awards and nominations:

Vrystaat Kunstefees – Alpha - Best performer (2018) Honorary award for Theatre – SA Academy of Arts & Science (2017) Fleur du Cap Nomination – Samsa-Masjien - Best Male Performer (2016) Kanna Award – Samsa-Masjien - Best Performer (2014) Theatre Trust – Best new production – Don Juan Onder die Boere (2014) Van Rensburg Patoloë – Best Production (2014) Fiesta Nomination – Best Performer – n Lewe in die Teater (2012) VrystaatKunstefees - Best Performer –n Lewe in die Teater (2011)