Lynette Alexander
Lynette Alexander was an amateur actress, director and theatre society founder and chair (1918-?)
Contents
Biography
Born in Roodepoort in 1918. From the age of 17 she was actively involved in the dramatic arts. She moved to East London in 1948, and married Dr Louis Alexander.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
Lynette Alexander was one of the founding members of the Dramatic Society of East London in 1952.
Roles as an actress include Lady Sneerwell in The School for Scandal.
She directed several productions for the Dramatic Society of East London, including Ondine (1963), The Fourposter (1967), The Christmas That Was (1967), The Happiest Days of Your Life (1973), Cinderella (1977), Something's Afoot (1981), Deathtrap (1984).
She began directing the Showstoppers series for the society in the mid 1980s, and these became an annual tradition in the city. She continued directing for the Dramatic Society of East London into her 80s.
She actively developed young talent, encouraging many young performers to pursue a career in the theatre.
Awards
She won the National Play Festival in 1955 with her production of Scattered Showers for the Dramatic Society of East London.
She received a Mayoral Citation for her contribution to the Arts in East London.
She was runner-up for the National South African Perm Golden Achiever Award for her contribution to Culture and Sport in 1992.
She was recipient of the Eastern Cape Premier Award for her lifetime contribution to the Arts.
The Alexander Playhouse in East London is named after her.
Sources
Princess Nkabane and Nolihle Gulwa. 'Dramsoc tribute to local theatre legend'. Daily Dispatch. 5 December 2012.
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