Ashraf Johaardien

JOHAARDIEN, Ashraf. (1974-). Playwright, poet, columnist, performer and arts manager.

Biography

Born in Cape Town in 1974 and schooled in South Africa and the UK. Currently (2014) lives in Johannesburg where he is the Head of Arts at the University of Johannesburg.

Training

Holds an International Baccalaureate from United World College of the Atlantic in Wales and a Bachelor of Arts Degree and an English Honors Degree from The University of Cape Town.

Career

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

Strong focus on Gay issues. Published works include Coloured Son X, Salaam Stories (SALAAM), Happy Endings are Extra, Stripped, Miracle*, Ecce Homo! adapted from Tim Miller’s Body Blows and The Quiet Violence of Dreams based on the novel by K. Sello Duiker. His work has been performed and produced at mainstream theatres and festivals in South Africa, Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands and the USA. His work has been published by Compress, Just Done Productions Publishing, Oxford University Press, Waverly Books (Glasgow) and Umuzi (Random House). He also writes The Perfumed Closet, a monthly column published in The Pink Tongue (Independent Newspapers).