Schalk Schoombie
Schalk Schoombie (1957-2023) was a journalist, critic, actor, playwright and director.
Contents
Biography
He was born on 10 July 1957 in Pretoria and grew up in Barberton and Kempton Park. He graduated from the University of Pretoria with a BA Drama (cum laude) in 1979, where he was awarded the Ludwig Binge Award in his final year for his acting.
He then worked for CAPAB for one year before he joined PACT as an actor.
He left PACT to take up a full-time occupation as journalist and editor, working for a range of publications. Initially the film and dance reviewer for Beeld, he then became the arts editor and later editor of the glossy journal De Kat, followed by stints as editor of Plus (the arts pages of Beeld).
The founding editor of Krit, the festival newspaper of the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK), he also contributed articles to the journals Leef, Insig, Manwees, Sarie, Rapport and Rooi Rose
On occasion he also presented workshops in playwriting for stage and film and in 2010 taught at the AFDA film school in Auckland Park, Johannesburg.
He was married to Elizabeth Schoombie and the couple have two children, Isolde and Christiaan (also an actor and writer).
He passed away in Alberton on 17 September, 2023 after a long illness.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
As actor he appeared in numerous productions, including Germanicus, Kinkels innie Kabel, Dood van 'n Handelsreisiger, Charlie se Tante, Leeu in die Winter, Ek, Anna van Wyk, Graswewenaar, Hond se Gedagte, Ons Wag op die Kaptein, As die Turksvy Blom and Die Vernuftige Vryer.
On television he has appeared in Dodedans, Galery, So 'n Liefde, Koos Kluitjies, Klagstaat, Nie Vanweë die Duisternis, Sewende Laan and Generations.
He made his debut as playwright with Wolf (1984), followed by Huis vol Uile (1989), Gesplete Tong (2003), Wetters (KKNK, 2004), Samoerai (premiered at Aardklop 2008, directed by Ilse van Hemert), Liefde, Anna (Aardklop, 2012), My Japan (Reza de Wet Festival, 2012), Leuenverklikker: 'n Swart Komedie, Outodidak and Klipgebede. Radio dramas include Sonstorm and an adaptation of My Japan.
His directing experience includes productions of Mixed Doubles, Gesplete Tong, Daar by Uniondale.
Awards, etc
As a student he was a recipient of the Ludwig Binge Award.
In 1994 he received a Mondi-award and in 2009 an ATKV-Mediaveertjie award for his journalism.
Sources
https://af.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schalk_Schoombie
Graswewenaar theatre programme, 1986.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3652027.
Laetitia Pople. 2023. "Schoombie was "liewe sagte mens", Die Burger 18 September, 2023: p.3.
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