Curro Durbanville’s Mensdom triumphs at ATKV Tienertoneel

28 October 2024

Curro Durbanville High School’s production of Mensdom has captured national attention, placing third out of 187 productions at the prestigious ATKV Tienertoneel competition. As with all accolades earned, hard work was at the corner of their success.

 

Awards and recognition for outstanding learners

The production’s reception was highlighted by several major awards. Inge Dippenaar received the Best Actress award and was also selected as one of only five learners nationwide to serve as an ATKV Agent for acting mentorship – an honour that will provide her with advanced mentorship in her acting journey. Additionally, Mia-Cecilia Kriel earned the Most Promising Actor award, further solidifying Curro Durbanville’s reputation for nurturing exceptional talent.

 

 

Directors Lize-Meri Amann and Deon van Zyl were awarded Best Directing, recognised for their innovative approach that redefined traditional theatre. Their vision for Mensdom moved toward stylised, physical theatre, focusing on movement and imagery to convey complex themes. ‘We wanted to move towards stylised, physical theatre,’ said Lize-Meri, who described the project as an experimental and creative journey for everyone involved.

 

Learner growth through challenges

The production was both a learning experience and a challenge, especially for younger cast members new to physical theatre. With no Grade 12s in the cast, the ensemble relied on Grades 8 to 11 learners, who embraced the stylised approach. In the words of Deon, ‘We were out of our comfort zone. But it allowed us all to grow, and the commitment from our learners was incredible.’

 

 

The language barrier added another layer to the production, as many of the cast members are English speakers in an Afrikaans competition. ‘They worked hard on pronunciation and subtext,’ Deon explained. This dedication paid off, as the audience couldn’t tell they were performing outside their native language.

 

Support and collaboration

The success of Mensdom wouldn’t have been possible without the collaboration of parents, teachers, and backstage crew. Lize-Meri acknowledged, ‘Parents know the level of commitment involved and were incredibly supportive from the start. Their trust and involvement made a huge difference.’

 

 

To keep the cast focused, Lize-Meri reminded the learners before each performance of the importance of storytelling beyond competition. Performing on iconic stages like Baxter and Artscape gave the cast an added sense of purpose.

 

Inspiring future performers

For educators considering or expanding cultural programmes, Lize-Meri advised, ‘Give learners opportunities to perform. Culture should be treated as essential as sport or academics.’ Deon echoed this, highlighting how cultural activities build confidence, resilience, and school spirit: ‘Drama, art, music – these are vital for learners’ development. It’s about giving everyone a chance to express themselves.’