This production started as a collaborative task between the 2nd year actors, theatre makers, and scenographers of UCT CTDPS in the year 2021. We were split into 4 different groups, with two being from the theatre side and the other two groups comprising of dancers and choreographers. The idea was to see how well we worked with each other in adapting a Greek Tragedy, Medea. All four groups had very different interpretations of this play, and ours became what we now call The Tides in Me(dea). We started off as 11 cast members, and with the guidance of Kanya Viljoen, we wrote the script little by little while she compiled our writings in a coherent way until we finally had a script. We workshopped everything and we created a solid play.
In 2022, we approached Kanya, wanting to take the production to NAF, and she happily agreed because she also felt that this was a powerful piece that deserved to be seen outside of UCT. We entered for 2023 but unfortunately did not get into the festival, which was a discouragement to some. Many of our cast members moved on, and we were joined by new members until we downsized to 7 cast members. Kanya recently left for Germany, which, in many ways, dampened our desire to continue, but we have asked Mbongeni Mtshali to step in and be an external eye.
At the heart of this show is a piece that forces us to ask ourselves questions about womanhood in South Africa from different perspectives. It is driven by the rage that these women feel towards the powers that be and their lack of action in what is happening to them in this country. It takes lived and imagined experiences and brings them together masterfully but leaves you wondering which stories are imagined because they are all plausible as a woman living in South Africa. In the end, you are left with the knowledge that, at base level, we are all Medea.
ARTISTS BIOS
Deborah-Keir Paulsen is an Afrikaans country girl from the outskirts of the dry Bolan in South Africa. Her passion for storytelling has led her to the vibrant city of Cape Town. She recently completed her training in theatre and performance at the University of Cape Twon with a specialization in Acting. As part of her practice, she aspires to explore the notions around a conventional South African society. With her new found appreciation for writing, Deborah-Keir aspires to pursue the film industry.
Hope Banda is an actor, singer and digital performance
art maker who hails from a small town in Limpopo called Northam. She
graduated from the University of
Cape Town with Honours in
Theatre and Performance. Before UCT, she spent two years as a student
and freelance artist in The South African State Theatre and was
also
part of the State Theatre Youth Choir. She has been in productions such
as, The Crucible, White Noise, Reën Bloed Nasie, Conversations with my
Mother, The
Tides in Me(dea), Ezemiphefumlo, The Trials and
many others. Her interests as a performance maker lies in the use of
poetic language and music to bring stories to
life.
Lebohang Matsimela is a Theatre and Performance graduate from the
University of Cape Town. Her current interest is in exploring the South
African landscape in theatre and film production. She recently directed
and wrote her debut production, ‘The Women’. As a thespian, Lebohang
believes she fulfils her purpose through her craft, showcasing a deep
passion for storytelling and a commitment to authentic narratives.
Lidian Plaatjies is a mixed-race legacy project, who is
determined to choreograph her own story. She has most recently finished
her BA Honours degree in Theatre and Performance at the University of
Cape Town, majoring in Performance Making; choreography. Despite this,
Lidian believes that she is an all-round creative, as she is passionate
to communicate the beauty of life, as well as its tribulations through
various art forms. She is a very eager, a fast leaner, and someone who
is valuable in all creative environments.
Lutho Booi is a Cape Town based Scenographer/Performance maker
& actor who began his journey in the world of performing arts as an
actor, where he found passion for storytelling, embodying different
characters and the magic of the stage. However as someone who has always
been fascinated by the behind-the-scenes aspect of theatre, when the
opportunity to explore Scenography as a study and career choice was
presented to him, he did not hesitate to take it. Through a hands-on
experience and a dedicated study, he immersed himself into the art of
transforming spaces and creating immersive environments that breathe
life into stories. The blend of his skills as an actor and Scenographer
allows him not only to perform on the stage but also be a part of
creating the worlds in which these performances come to life. He enjoys
pushing the boundaries of creativity and storytelling through
performance and performance making. He’s performed in a number of
productions which include Like Lambs To The Slaughter by Freddy Nyezi,
One Two Many by Olwethu Ntanjana, Mike Galeboe, Cassidy Phillips and
himself, etc.
Nicole Smith is a recent graduate from the University of Cape
Town who studied a BA in Theatre and Performance, within the acting
stream. Nicole has taken part in productions such as A Midsummer Night
Dream Adaptation, The Tides in Me, Ezemiphefumlo…of the souls,
Everybody Else (is F*!king Perfect), White Noise and The Trials. Nicole
aspires to be a stage and film actress, with the possibility of teaching
someday, but right now she aspires to experience and learn all sectors
of the performing arts, to engage in theatre life as a whole. She
entered the world of acting as “just” an actress, but she feels that her
talents have extended too more than just a singular skill set. She is a
performer, who has dabbled in physical performance, singing, writing,
dance, performance making and workshop
Olwethu Ntanjana-Mapisa is a UCT alumnus who studied Theatre and Performance, majoring in Theatre-Making. As an upcoming maker and performer, she enjoys writing and bringing a work to life behind the scenes, but there's a special place in her heart for performance. Her other interests include visual arts, film, hair and makeup. Her goal is to acquire as many skills as she can to look back and see that she's used up all of her potential.
My name is
Olwethu Kunene aka theeblacksheep, a Zulu
girl from KwaZulu Natal with aspirations of exploring all facets of the
performing arts. I am a BA(Hons) graduate who studied Theatre and
Performance at University of Cape Town(2020-2024) and I majored in
Acting. I have been involved in multiple productions in the CTDPS, I
have done soundscapes for productions such as Chuma Sopotela’s
Conversations with My Mother (2022), I have taught myself to produce
music — @theeblacksheep on SoundCloud, I have also explored movement and
choreography through being in pieces such as Ezimphefumlo(2022)
directed by Mandla Mbothwe, Chuma Sopotela, Zimbini Makwethu and
Sibonelo Dance Project and Senescence(2023) choreographed by Lexi Herz. I
have an interest in exploring film and television in particular
presenting and look forward to evolving more in my craft through
experience. I am thankful for the exposure throughout my studies and for
my lecturers. It’s time to carve my own path to success with the
assistance of all the lessons I have learnt up till now.
Thando Myeza is a 23-year-old South African male actor, born and
raised in the Midlands, Kwa-Zulu Natal. He holds a BA in Theatre and
Performance from the University of Cape Town. Thando is a classically
trained tenor vocalist with a background in choral music and percussion
through ABRSM. He is both a film and theatre performer and is currently
represented by Pursch Artistes in Cape Town.
