Difference between revisions of "Themi Venturas"

Revision as of 11:35, 10 June 2014

(19**-) Actor, Singer, Producer, Playwright, Events Organiser, Composer.

Biography

Born in Zimbabwe as Themistocles Venturas, he is of Greek origin and is the fourth generation to be born in Southern Africa. He moved down to Port Elizabeth and became involved in amateur theatre from an early age, winning his first talent contest at the age of four, singing Elvis Presley’s Teddy Bear.

Studies and training

After high school, Venturas headed off to Durban where he studied Speech and Drama at the former University of Natal, now the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He qualified with a Bachelor of Arts (cum laude)

Career

Began work as the head of productions at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre on the campus of the university. Afterwards he joined the former Natal Performing Arts Council (NAPAC), working on the Kwasa community project. This was a project, which incorporated festivals, internship programmes and training. It helped to launch many young people into a career in the performing arts. When problems arose within NAPAC, he volunteered his retrenchment and started Themi Venturas Productions, of which he is managing director. He has also been the manager of two theatres, namely the Catalina Theatre and the KwaSuka Theatre.

He has served as President of the Performing Arts Network of South Africa (PANSA) for KwaZulu-Natal and as national exco member of PANSA, as a trustee on the Arts and Culture Trust of South Africa (ACT) and as a Board Member of Theatre Biz.