Gerrit Schoonhoven
Gerrit Schoonhoven (1958-2020). Director and actor.
Contents
Biography
He was born on 27 September 1958.
Gerrit studied drama at the University of Potchefstroom where he graduated with an honours degree in 1981.
He married his life partner, Marius Meyer, on 27 September, 2020, and died of cancer on 20 October, 2020.
Training
Career
Worked for PACT, 1982 - 1985. Lectured in drama at Potchefstroom, 1985. Joined PACOFS in 1986-1987.
He has been on the panel of judges for the kykNET Rapport Book Prize, fiction section, since 2014.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
As a student he acted in Rob Antonissen’s translation into Afrikaans of Mariken van Nieumeghen in Potchefstroom in 1980.
Acted in Die Vasvat van 'n Feeks and Die Keiser for PACT, Antony and Cleopatra (Grahamstown Festival (1999), Acted in Ek, Anna van Wyk, Endgame (1997).
He made his debut as director in the 1980s at the ATKV Kampustoneel.
Gerrit led a workshopped performance of Ons Spore Loop Ver at the KKNK in 1999.
He directed a production of We All Fall Down and also designed the lighting with Patrick Curtis.
Piekniek by Dingaan was both compiled and directed by Gerrit in 1988.
He directed Onderhoud met 'n Bobbejaan and Hond se Gedagte (1985), Somewhere on the Border for the Grahamstown Festival (1986), Beckett/Bêkdit for CAPAB (1987), Huise Vol Uile (1989), Diesel and Dust, Somewhere on the Border, Mynhoop - 'n Nokturne, Kinderspeletjies (PACOFS 1987), Spooks (1986), Harry Kalmer's Sleeping with Alice (1996), 'n Koffer in die Kas, 1993, Brothers, The Caucasian Chalk Circle (NAF 1991).
He played the part of Dirk Delport in the 1984 film Broer Matie.
He wrote the one-act play Trajek van Tralies.
Gerrit works widely in film and television.
Awards, etc
SA Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns honorary award for Afrikaans television, 2006.
ATKV Veertjie awarded to him as best director of the television series Orion, 2007.
Fleur du Cap for Best New Director for Somewhere on the Border.
Winner of the the Rosalie van der Gucht Prize for New Directors in 1987.
Sources
We All Fall Down programme notes, 1988.
CAPAB Brochure, Aug-Nov 1989.
Eastern Province Herald 7 July 1993.
Thespians [thespians.co.za/gerrit-schoonhoven].
IMDb [1].
https://www.netwerk24.com/Vermaak/Teater/gerrit-schoonhoven-sterf-20201020
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