Gerrit Geertsema
Gerrit Geertsema (1945-2012). Actor, director, playwright and theatre administator.
Contents
Biography
Married to Marina Geertsema, and they have two sons Luka and Petr. He died on 26 October 2012 aged 67.
Training
Career
Became head of PACOFS Drama in 1969, later became the Deputy Director at PACOFS. In this period he was responsible for founding the PACOFS experimental group. In 1983 he succeeded Eghard van der Hoven as executive director of PACT. When he retired there in 1990, he settled in Oudtshoorn and became involved in the founding of Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees and was for a while the director of the festival. Also participated in many debates about theatre over the years.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
As actor he has appeared in Kringloop van die Liefde (1968); Die Terroriste (1969); Die Nag van Legio (1972).
As a director his productions include the PACOFS production of Die Rebellie van Lafras Verwey, 1972; Die Houtjie van die Galg.
As playwright, he wrote Hoofstuk II, Die Agtdertig na Mafeking. He adapted The Rope into Afrikaans as Die Tou (DALRO 1969).
Awards, etc
He received the Piers Nicholson Award in 1970 for his services to the PACOFS.
Sources
Volksblad, 2012-12-28
Hauptfleisch, 1985a
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