Difference between revisions of "Cornelia Faasen"
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==Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance== | ==Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance== | ||
| − | + | In 2010, she was appointed as Head of Arts and Culture at the [[University of the Free State]], a position focused on transformation and integration through arts and culture among the student population following the infamous Reitz video. She progressed to Director and Assistant Dean of Student Affairs in 2013, before being appointed as Dean of Student Affairs in 2015, after acting in that position for two years. | |
| − | In 2010, she was appointed as Head of Arts and Culture at the University of the Free State, a position focused on transformation and integration through arts and culture among the student population following the infamous Reitz video. She progressed to Director and Assistant Dean of Student Affairs in 2013, before being appointed as Dean of Student Affairs in 2015, after acting in that position for two years. | + | |
Since 2016, Faasen has served as CEO of the National Afrikaans Theatre Initiative (NATi), where she provides strategic leadership for this national cultural organization focused on funding and developing new theatre productions and collaborating with producing festivals. NATi has a particular interest in Afrikaans as part of the South African landscape of indigenous languages, with a focus on alternative narratives and previously marginalized voices in Afrikaans theatre. | Since 2016, Faasen has served as CEO of the National Afrikaans Theatre Initiative (NATi), where she provides strategic leadership for this national cultural organization focused on funding and developing new theatre productions and collaborating with producing festivals. NATi has a particular interest in Afrikaans as part of the South African landscape of indigenous languages, with a focus on alternative narratives and previously marginalized voices in Afrikaans theatre. | ||
Concurrently, since 2018, she has lectured part-time at the Drama Department at Stellenbosch University, specializing in Advanced Theory and Media Studies for postgraduate students and Introduction to the Industry for undergraduates. | Concurrently, since 2018, she has lectured part-time at the Drama Department at Stellenbosch University, specializing in Advanced Theory and Media Studies for postgraduate students and Introduction to the Industry for undergraduates. | ||
Revision as of 15:22, 8 June 2026
Cornelia Faasen (19**-) is a lecturer, theatre practitioner and arts administrator.
Contents
Biography
She studied Drama and Theatre Studies at the University of Stellenbosch, obtaining her Master's degree (Cum Laude) in 2009 - this included a research component undertaken at the University of Amsterdam. The thesis, entitled Theatre as alternative historical narrative : a study of three plays: Ubu and the Truth Commission, Copenhagen and Ghetto was published in English by LAP (Lambert Academic Publishing) in Germany, in 2010.
In 2025 she also completed a BPhil in Public Administration and Development Studies at the School for Public Leadership in the Stellenbosch University Business School.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
In 2010, she was appointed as Head of Arts and Culture at the University of the Free State, a position focused on transformation and integration through arts and culture among the student population following the infamous Reitz video. She progressed to Director and Assistant Dean of Student Affairs in 2013, before being appointed as Dean of Student Affairs in 2015, after acting in that position for two years.
Since 2016, Faasen has served as CEO of the National Afrikaans Theatre Initiative (NATi), where she provides strategic leadership for this national cultural organization focused on funding and developing new theatre productions and collaborating with producing festivals. NATi has a particular interest in Afrikaans as part of the South African landscape of indigenous languages, with a focus on alternative narratives and previously marginalized voices in Afrikaans theatre. Concurrently, since 2018, she has lectured part-time at the Drama Department at Stellenbosch University, specializing in Advanced Theory and Media Studies for postgraduate students and Introduction to the Industry for undergraduates. Faasen's leadership extends beyond her primary roles through board memberships and panel work. She currently serves as Chairperson of the Festival Enterprise Catalyst Steering Committee an EXCO since 2024. She previously functioned as Deputy Chairperson and EXCO member for the Theatre and Dance Alliance (TADA) since its inception in 2021 till 2024 and is a founding board member of the Tribuo Artist Fund, a relief fund for artists established in 2020. Her extensive panel experience includes serving on panels for the Silwerskerm Film Festival (2016-2018), KKNK Kanna Awards (2013-2014), and KykNET Fiesta Awards (2011, 2012, 2014). She was also a Board Member of the Joint Advisory Arts Board at UFS in 2020 and 2021. She often participates in industry discussions and panels. Throughout her career, Faasen has focused on transformation leadership, stakeholder engagement across public and private sectors, organizational development and policy implementation, specifically in the performing arts. She lives in Stellenbosch, Western Cape.
Became the executive officer of the Nasionale Afrikaanse Teater-inisiatief (NATi) in
She is also the Chairperson of the Festival Enterprise Catalyst, the Festival Forum, and serves on the board of the South African Theatre Industries Chamber. In addition, she teaches postgraduate theory in the Drama Department at Stellenbosch University.
Sources
Herschelle Benjamin. 2018. "Die blink toekoms van SA teaterlui", Die Burger 16 June, p. 8.
E-mail correspondence with Cornelia Faasen (4 June, 2026)
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