Let's Talk Theatre Again #2: A Theatre Dialogue with Keanan Engel!
Cultsha Kennis: Congratulations
on a successful run of Nancy Shiela & Gayle at the Toyota US Woordfees
2020! What inspired you to write this show?
KE: I've always wondered what a play would look and feel like if it
centered around queer characters who embraced and celebrated their identity and
gender expression. I was really curious to witness such a freedom on stage.
When I started the process of Nancy, Shiela & Gayle I drew a lot from my
own experiences particularly my personal journey with identity but the
trajectory of the play changed once I asked myself: "What if Gayle becomes
a pivotal element to these characters, their lives, language and their attitudes
towards the world they live in". That's when I knew I simply have to write
this story, even if there's little to interest in such a narrative.
Cultsha Kennis: Will Nancy
Shiela & Gayle come back for another run?
KE: I hope we can have another run because it will allow me to re-visit
the story with a new perspective both as a writer and an actor. We write plays
for them to be seen and experienced and another run will help the entire
creative team to deepen our understanding and to refine aspects that would allow
audiences to really step into the world of Glo'riah, Abigail and Fabian - the
three characters of Nancy, Shiela & Gayle
Cultsha Kennis: Your
production Slim Mense is scheduled to take place at
Suidoosterfees 2020. How does the story of this show compare to Nancy
Shiela & Gayle?
KE: In both Nancy, Shiela & Gayle and Slim Mense I try to explore
freedom and liberation as much I can. The characters in both plays are somewhat
captured or chained to certain circumstances from which they desperately try to
break free from. The two plays also differs in many regards but I'd say that in
both plays I want the characters to experience a sense of who they truly are,
can be or yearn to be. In such a quest one can allow the characters to dare and
dream without fear.
Cultsha Kennis: Tell
us about your role in Die Gangsters. What was your biggest
highlight in performing this show?
KE: I portrayed somewhat of an antagonist character in Die Gangsters. My
character was in direct opposition to the 6 Gangsters. Antigang, my character,
draw from his religious beliefs to motivate his stance against gangsterism and
the social ills that stems from it. My biggest highlight was sharing the stage
with my University friends and colleagues. They inspire me and definitely
working closely with June van Merch, Basil Appollis and Marthinus Basson.
Cultsha Kennis: Tell
us about your background in theatre and your Masters degree program at
Stellenbosch University. What themes are you exploring in your studies and
why?
KE: I completed my honours degree at Stellenbosch University and
specialized in Physical theatre. I've experienced acting, arts administration
and arts marketing since graduating. I've enrolled this year for my Masters
degree in Audiences Development at Stellenbosch University. I'm undertaking
this study to investigate and explore the importance of attracting more
audiences to particularly theatrical events.
Cultsha Kennis: How
has being from Bredasdorp shaped your voice as a storyteller?
KE: Bredasdorp is my biggest source of inspiration. It's in my
neighborhood, my schools, my family and friends from Bredasdorp that I anchor
myself. I'm still in the process of exploring and finding my artistic voice but
Bredasdorp and the influence, values and humor of my people will always
resonate and echo in whatever I may create.
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| Nancy Shiela & Gayle at Toyota US Woordfees Photo by Jeremeo Le Cordeur at Vulture Productions |
Cultsha Kennis: Tell us about the process of being both an actor and a playwright.
KE: It's thrilling and frightening at the same time. Thrilling because
you are in a position to create something and frightening because there's a
responsibility, a moral responsibility I'd say to be as honest, as vulnerable
and conscious as you can be. It's hard, almost unnatural to go to those places,
and still you simply have to go there, sometimes to all those places at the
same time.
Cultsha Kennis: How
has the coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdown affected your work? What
lessons do you think the arts and theatre industries should consider for the
future in light of this?
KE: I'm still processing everything. It's overwhelming and difficult to
comprehend - so much is at stake, I mean our lives are literally at stake. I
tend to look at more experienced and mature people in our industry, they are
the ones who must guide us which will probably bring some relief to the
uncertainty. Im of the belief that artists are the ones who can bring both the
heart and the beat to such trouble times. I would encourage us not to forget
that we are important, now more than ever.
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