Curro Durbanville’s Mia Dippenaar lights up South African stages

10 June 2025

 

 

Mia Dippenaar, a learner from Curro Durbanville, has grown from a local theatre star to a nationally recognised performer. Her journey through Curro Create and beyond shows how early-stage exposure, hands-on experience, and unshakable drive can shape a performer ready to lead.

 

 

From Annie to Chicago

Mia’s first major role came at just ten years old, when she played Annie in Annie Junior at Curro Durbanville. A year later, she appeared in Artscape’s professional production of Annie, directed by Anton Luitingh and Duane Alexander. By 2018, she’d landed the role of Louisa von Trapp in The Sound of Music at Artscape and played Maria in Curro Durbanville’s own staging of the same musical.

Her lead role as Roxie Hart in Chicago: Teen Edition in 2023 marked a new peak in her school-based performances, showcasing her growth and charisma as a performer.

 

 

Performing across South Africa

Mia’s talent has taken her to stages across the country. She featured in From Broadway to Birdstreet at the US Woordfees, Katvoet at all four major arts festivals (Woordfees, KKNK, Vryfees, and Aardklop), and multiple editions of the #Currage Concert at the Adam Small and Atterbury Theatres.

She also joined LAMTA’s ensemble cast in Hollywood, a high-energy production that played to sold-out audiences at Theatre on the Bay and Woordfees. In 2025, Mia was a lead vocalist in Vrouestemme: Voices of Power, performing alongside Tasché, Corlea, Edith Plaatjies, and fellow Curro Create alumna Phoebe Mgxaji.

 

 

Writing, directing, and original work

Mia is also a creator. In 2022, she wrote, directed, and performed Moon Song, which won Best New Script at the National Youth Theatre Festival. On top of this she also created two original short films: Everywhere the Light Touches (2020) and Fields of Gold (2021), handling every stage from scripting to editing herself.

 

A future on stage

Mia describes theatre as the space where she feels most complete: ‘It taught me dedication, empathy, and how to be vulnerable. There’s no other option – this is what I’m meant to do.’

Whether she’s on stage, behind the camera, or directing from the wings, Mia Dippenaar continues to grow as an artist who leads with heart, vision, and skill. Her journey is one to follow.