Difference between revisions of "Themi Venturas"
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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. | 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= | |
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| − | == | + | = Contributions to South African theatre = |
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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]]. | 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]]. | ||
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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]]. | 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]]. | ||
| − | + | == As playwright == | |
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Though he does not primarily see himself as playwright, he has created ort helped to create a number of corks, including: | Though he does not primarily see himself as playwright, he has created ort helped to create a number of corks, including: | ||
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Adaptations for the stage include: the [[African]] language operas ''[[Princess Magogo ka Dinizulu]]'' ''[[Ziyankomo]]'' | Adaptations for the stage include: the [[African]] language operas ''[[Princess Magogo ka Dinizulu]]'' ''[[Ziyankomo]]'' | ||
| − | == | + | == As actor == |
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| + | Plays performed include: | ||
''[[A Tale of Two Cities]]'' (1984) | ''[[A Tale of Two Cities]]'' (1984) | ||
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| − | === | + | == As director === |
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| + | Plays directed (and often designed) include: | ||
''[[Exit the King]]'' (1983) | ''[[Exit the King]]'' (1983) | ||
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''[[Footloose]]'' (2014) | ''[[Footloose]]'' (2014) | ||
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| + | = Sources = | ||
http://themiventuras.com/about-2/ | http://themiventuras.com/about-2/ | ||
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Go to [[South African Theatre/Bibliography]] | Go to [[South African Theatre/Bibliography]] | ||
| − | + | = Return to = | |
Return to [[ESAT Personalities V]] | Return to [[ESAT Personalities V]] | ||
Revision as of 11:49, 10 June 2014
(19**-) Actor, Singer, Producer, Playwright, Events Organiser, Composer.
Contents
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)
Contributions to South African theatre
As manager
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.
As playwright
Though he does not primarily see himself as playwright, he has created ort helped to create a number of corks, including:
The Suzie Johnson Trilogy, Air Guitar, Cantina Tequila & 4 Guys Named Jose, Jamaican Jim, Jimbo, Taxi Jam, The African Passion, The Guitar that Rocked the World, De Compleat Hstry of Dbn (without the boring bits!)
Adaptations for the stage include: the African language operas Princess Magogo ka Dinizulu Ziyankomo
As actor
Plays performed include:
A Tale of Two Cities (1984)
An Evening with Jaques Brel (1985)
As director =
Plays directed (and often designed) include:
Exit the King (1983)
A Tale of Two Cities (1984)
Mickey Kannis Caught my Eye (1984)
Footloose (2014)
Sources
http://themiventuras.com/about-2/
http://www.theatresa.co.za/themiventuras.html
http://www1.durban.gov.za/durban/discover/history/famous/arts/themi-venturas
Go to South African Theatre/Bibliography
Return to
Return to ESAT Personalities V
Return to South African Theatre Personalities
Return to The ESAT Entries
Return to Main Page
