Has being awarded with the Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year Award had a major impact on your artistic direction?

I now see even more opportunities in the industry than I have ever thought of. As a female artist it opens more doors as people want to hear more from young female directors. It also gives me more confidence in the work that I do.

Do you think that artists need awards in order to stimulate artistic production or to validate what they are trying to communicate?

Yes I definitely think there should be recognition for people's work, in that way we are able to learn from those people who are acknowledged. As a young girl watching people receive awards for their work I was forced to find out what made them special and to find out more about their work. I believe that the more we support each other as artists the more the industry will grow. If there were no awards I don’t think we would recognise a lot of people’s work.

What makes the Standard Bank young Artist of the Year Award so prestigious?

The Standard Bank Award has been around for many years. The great artists who have received this award have continued to produce amazing work. That gives me a lot of hope for the future. Their commitment to supporting the arts is evident in all the different projects they have done for this country.

Your interest in Drama started at a very young age, was Drama offered as a subject at the school in which you were enrolled, or were you introduced to this art form through alternative avenues?

We didn’t have drama as a subject in high school. I joined the Witbank Youth Theatre in my high school year because I knew I needed to release the passion within.

Did you study Drama after school?

After high School I went to Tshwane University of Technology to do my Degree in Drama.

Did you get a ‘lucky break” or is your success a result of a lot of talent and even more hard work?

Some people may think that I have been getting lucky breaks but I know that I work really hard, and plan ahead so that when the time arrives I will be ready for it.

You have made a name for yourself as a Director, Actor and Writer; does your proficiency in all these different roles on and behind the stage enhance your overall expression?

Definitely I think being an actress before I directed prepared me for the directing world. When I went into directing I knew how an actor wanted to be treated which helped me in bringing the best out of them. Directing other playwrights work before I decided to write my own has helped a lot. I’m still new in creating my own work but it’s a step I needed to take for my artistic expression.

Are there specific themes or issues that interest you as more than others?

I like to focus on any issues that affect society. Whether it’s in a good or bad way I feel that it’s important for me to use theatre address these issues.

Would you ever consider collaborating on a project that reflects belief systems that contradict your own?

I always try to allow space for artistic growth and also challenging myself in the process to explore other beliefs.

A performance of your work will be presented at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown this year, which ‘hat’ will you be wearing-that of writer, performer , director or all three?

I’ll be directing a piece called “Trapped” which I have written. So I guess I will be wearing two hats in Grahamstown.

Would you be able to give us a sneak preview or broad outline of the plot or message of this production?

Everyone wants to be free. Free from pain, free from suffering, free from destruction, free from rules, free to choose, free to move, and free to be. In a world only known to them we hear the stories of those torn between the past and the demand of living in the present. As they try to find ways and seek guidance from others to break the chains that keep them from moving forward. We meet characters like Diva, Woman, Tata, Mr Personality, The Soldiers, The twins, all presented by the Extra’s in exhibits. Universal topics are explored, topics that can make one feel like they are Trapped with no way to get out. What they don’t realise is that they truly have all the freedom in the world, to do, be and have anything they want.

Unfortunately there are rules, some rules may make one feel like they are trapped in a straight-jacket which keeps them from fully engaging in life. It’s a tough world, its either they follow the rules or they make their own.