Dennis Schauffer
(1943-) Actor, theatre technician, director, arts activist, teacher theatre researcher, and academic.
Contents
Biography
Born Dennis Leslie Schauffer on 12th March, 1943.
Training
BA Hons. Post-graduate in Speech and Drama, University of Natal, (Durban)1965; MA Drama and Theatre Arts, Bretton Hall, Leeds University,(United Kingdom)1971; PhD Speech and Drama, University of Natal (Pietermaritzburg), 1978; University of Cambridge Accreditation for teaching IGCSE Drama. 2003; TEFL Certificate. London. 2010; TITC Business English Certificate. London. 2010.
Career
He has had a number of careers over the years, largely focused on arts and culture matters. Besides his great influence on the performing arts specifically (see below), these also include stints as Director of Arts, City of Durban, (04/01/82 to 30/01/84); Director of Arts, Durban Arts Association, (01/02/84 to 31/ 12 /86); Research Facilitator and Editor for the School of Business and Leadership, University KwaZulu Natal.(2011-2013).
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
As performer
As director
As playwright
As teacher
Became a full-time Lecturer in the department of Speech and Drama, University of Natal, Durban. (01/01/66 to 31/12/68), then moved to the department of Speech and Drama, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg(as lecturer 01/01/69 to 31/12 74, senior lecturer 01/01/75 to 01/07/79). In 1979 he was appointed Senior Lecturer, Drama and Theatre Studies at Bretton Hall, University of Leeds, United Kingdom (01/08/79 to 03/05/81).
After a few years as an arts administrator, he became a Professor of Drama at the University of Durban-Westville, (01/01/87 to 31/05/99). In 1999 the Department closed and staff were retrenched.
Appointed Professor Emeritus at University of Durban-Westville in March 2002 (later the University KwaZulu Natal.
Became H.O.D. Drama and Dean of Arts, at the International School, Mafikeng. (Jan 2004 – Dec. 2006), then Associate Professor, Visual Arts and Design, Vaal University of Technology.(Jan. 2006 to 32/12/10).
As Arts administrator
He returned to South Africa at the end of 1981, to become the Director of Arts, City of Durban, (04/01/82 to 30/01/84), and subsequently Director of Arts, Durban Arts Association, (01/02/84 to 31/ 12 /86).
As researcher
Founder-director of Asoka Theatre Research from 01/06/99 to date, which included various other directorial positions, such that of Asoka Research Pty.(Ltd.), Asoka Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Asoka English Language Editing, and so on. It also led to many research publications by Schauffer and colleagues. (See ESAT Bibliography)
Other research [portfolios include Research Associate in the Institute for the Study of English in Africa (ISEA), Rhodes University (01/07/04 - 30 June 2007)
He was a founder member of SAADYT and the South African Society for Theatre Research (SASTR), and is an Editorial Consultant for the South African Theatre Journal (a founding member 1987-); a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of SJI (Scientific Journals International); Member of the National Research Foundation (NRF) Specialist Committee for Performing and Creative Arts and Design (15/03/11 – 28/02/14).
Awards, etc
Maurice Edmund Kimbereley Award for Fine Art (03/02/61), Alastair Graham Calder Memorial Scholarship (Drama) (1964).
Acting awards include Natal Oscar Award, (1965-66); Durban Municipal Award(1968); Vita Award (1991).
Cultural awards include Nux Cultural Award. (1972-73).
Received numerous study research and travel grants over the years, including the De Beers Chairman's Fund grant three times.
Between 2007 and 2008 he also won four awards from Vaal University of Technology (for both for teaching excellence and research excellence).
Sources
CV of Dennis Schauffer (23/02/2014).
Go to ESAT Bibliography
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He was Professor and H.O.D. of Drama at tUniversity of Durban Westville Drama Department from 1987 - 19** Ran the Durbnan Arts Association from with Elizabeth Sneddon.
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