WITS-Borne Playwright Wins Big with SAfm!

Congratulations to Neo Sibiya for winning R20 000 in a playwriting competition with SAfm this year!

 Neo just completed a BA Honours program in Performing and Visual Arts at WITS University in Johannesburg, where she majored in Performance (Acting) and Television Studies. Her radio play titled ‘Trains of Thought’ was aired on SAfm on 11 July 2015, as a reward for ranking 3rd in the competition. An esteemed panel of radio and drama experts, such as Shado Twala and Jerry Mofokeng, judged over 300 entries and chose the top 3 plays which were professionally recorded and broadcast on SAfm as part of the prize. This competition formed part of a search for works of fiction to fill up the 7pm Saturday drama slot on air, as well as to bring drama back to the medium of radio.

Wits play called Mutiny where Neo (middle, right) played 'Juna'
Neo is a big lover of fiction novels, and is particularly inspired by the works of Tsitsi Dangaremba, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Kutlwano Matlwa as well as Sello K Duiker, Christopher Durang (playwright) and the great Zakes Mda! She relates that ‘Trains of Thought’ is centered on the theme of relationships, marriage and the prospect of fate and love across the colour line. “The plot follows 2 couples, one black and one white who have been friends since varsity,” she says. “The relationships change over the years as they question the choices and commitments they have made.”

Wits play called Led As(h)tray with Joe Young where 
                                    Neo played 'Tina'
Neo also tell us a bit about her writing journey, and shares her biggest highlight which came with winning the competition. “I started out writing short stories and poetry in high school, and then plays as well,” she says. “I loved escaping into fantasy worlds which I saw in my head. I have also written plays for stage and scripts for screen. Radio is a beautiful amalgamation of the more imaginative aspects of both. Having my writing affirmed really made me aware of the power of this craft. I've always loved to write, and getting paid and recognized for something I'm passionate about is out of this world!”
 Final honours research performance where Neo played 
'Zeus' in Jean- Paul Sartre's The Flies

True to the restlessness nature of all inspired artists, Neo’s ambitions have not yet been filled to the brim! She is still creating and producing new works that are just waiting to see the light of day. “I am working on a screenplay for a short film that I would love to see produced in the near future,” she says. “I have always wanted to write a book, and I am working on an anthology of short stories centred on Jo’burg as a character. My unique theoretical and practical exposures to film, theatre and now radio has opened my eyes to the possibility of sustainability and versatility in the creative industry. I would love to write and act and one day produce all 3 mediums as well as own a distribution network for my creations. The immediate plan would be organizing a company of players and creatives to form a collective producing work for all three mediums.”

***Are you an agent sourcing a freelance writer and actress for 2016? See the talent that is Neo Sibiya on her showreel, here: https://vimeo.com/146490625. 

Also keep in touch with her on social media: 

Facebook: Neo Sibiya
Twitter: Neosibiya1
Instagram: Neo_sibiya1 



<< Neo doing open-mic poetry at Cuddle Sessions  in Newtown, Johannesburg

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

‘Die Ellen Pakkies Storie’ Film Features at Selected Ster Kinekor Cinemas Nationwide – Book YOUR Ticket!

Image
Ellen (starring Jill Levenberg ) and her teenage son, Abie (starring Jarrid Geduld ), have been living together with Odneal (starring Elton Landrew ) for years in Lavender Hill Cape Town. Abie gets constantly terrorised for being born out of wedlock, and he gets expelled from school. He becomes addicted to tik and cleans out his parents’ belongings to feed his addiction. Later, Abie is banished to the back yard and Ellen goes to find help for her son. After every government service fails to help her, a distraught and frustrated Ellen takes matters into her own hands, leaving the Pakkies family with devastating consequences.     ‘Die Ellen Pakkies Storie’ is directed by Daryne Joshua , and is based on the real-life story of Ellen Pakkies. The story shows the brutal but true realities of a family on the Cape Flats affected by drug abuse, and also shows the brave stance of a woman who takes charge against domestic and gender-based violence. For more on where to se...
Read more

Let’s Talk Theatre Again #6: A Dialogue with Bianca Flanders on Theatre, TV and Her New Children’s Book!

Image
Bianca Flanders is best known for playing strong, emotive female roles in the multiple theatre productions we’ve seen her in over the years. After seeing her play an ‘onnie’ in The Riviera on SABC 2, we thought it’s time for a dialogue with her!   Cultsha Kennis: Congratulations on publishing your children's book,  Pumpkin Finds Her Queen.  Tell us what inspired you to write this book and why you've also written the Afrikaans version,  Prinses Pampoenpit .  BF: When I was a child I absolutely hated my hair. I was also an avid reader, but as an adult I remember that none of the characters in my books looked like me. I wanted to write a book about a topic that I struggled with as child, and I wanted to create a hero for kids who perhaps haven't felt represented. I wanted to write the book that I never had.  Cultsha Kennis: You've also been part of the cast in David Kramer's  Orpheus in Africa . How do you go about preparing to perfo...
Read more

A Dialogue with Clive Ridgway: Creativity, Country-Rock and the CTSS!

Image
Clive Ridgway is a South African musician and singer-songwriter of 70s-born country-rock band 'Rocking Horse'. He is also the founder and teacher at the Cape Town School of SONGWRITING, and is the author of a songwriters' guide 'Crack The Songwriting Code'. Clive is also the Program Director of one of the Mother City's newest and most well-loved radio station, Smile 90.4FM, and is a loving husband and father of 3 children, 2 boys and a girl. Cultsha Kennis loves a good story about the coming years of accomplished musicians! Read about Clive's musical journey below. Cultsha Kennis: Take us through your musical journey from childhood. How did you first fall in love with music? Clive: I’ve been involved with music most of my life. I grew up in a simple household with loving parents. They allowed me and my brothers to listen to pop music, watch movies, play football, read comics and generally have an adventurous childhood. We were encour...
Read more