 |
|
BONGANI ANDREW MTHOMBENI
founder of Picture Art is a versatile artist and a performer on stage, with a very humble persona. A dancer and a choreographer who acts. He was born in Soshanguve. His career began in 2012 when he was enrolled at STAGEDOOR SHOWBUSINESS ACADEMY, in 2013 he was accepted at Youth in Trust at the South African State Theatre studying Performance arts then graduated in 2014; Also credited for BEST DANCER 2013/2014.
After his
studies he has been involved in a number of Professional Theatre works from the likes
of; My Richest Yard directed by Ayanda Sithebe, choreographed by Themba
Mathabela in 2015, 1606 a production that won an Ovation award at the Grahamstown
Arts Festival (National Arts Festival is the biggest annual celebration of the arts on the African continent. It is held annually in June/July in Grahamstown, SA) in (2015) by Nelsen Mokoena, he also wrote and directed Bring me
back to life that was awarded a certificate for being Top in Region for the
HELLO COMMUNITY THEATRE ART FESTIVAL in 2015.
In 2016 he was in an action
packed thriller play called Rocks and Roses as one of the dancers written and
directed by Sello Maseko and Mdu Nhlapo, He choreographed and directed his
first solo dance piece titled REBIRTH in (2016), and was in KIU choreographed and
directed by Mdu Nhlapo (2017), He also wrote,
choreographed and
directed his second dance piece UMOYA that was performed at the 012 Theatre
festival (2017) and was also in Essence of Coit (2016) and MINA a third (3rd) solo piece that was number five (5) in the Top
Ten(10) groups selected to represent Gauteng and Tshwane in SHASHALAZI (2018).
He was also in a winner of 6 NALEDI THEATRE AWARDS in 2016, 13 NALEDI THEATRE AWARDS nominations in 2015, Marikana The
Musical, written and directed by Aubrey Sekhabi, choreographed by Thabo Rapoo
(2017).
Here is a Short video of Bongani Mthombeni
The Interview: 10 Questions
1. TBO: What made you start your own company?
Bongani: What made me start my company is because, I want the youth especially in my community to follow their dreams in art.
2. TBO: What have you done to give people opportunities within the Art?
Bongani: I write and direct my own show to give other people the platform to showcase their talent.
3. TBO: Why did you choose the Art?
Bongani: The Arts chose me I didn't choose it but ever since I got into the arts I saw that Art is not regarded as a form of a career but a hobby. So I'm at war with this false stigma that's been there for years until art will be respected as a career.
4. TBO: Do you have any other job that you do outside Art?
Bongani: I don't have any other career besides the arts.
5. TBO: Who and what are your inspirations?
Bongani: My inspiration and role model is Vincent Mantsoe and Akram Khan
6. TBO: What are you currently working on?
Bongani: I'm currently working on a dance and drama show titled UMOYA
7. TBO: When did you start being in the performance art?
Bongani: I started the arts in 2012
8. TBO: How do you feel about Collaborations?
Bongani: Collaborations are always the best because, you get to know other people out there and to also share ideas, learning new stuff and meeting new people so it's always awesome.
9. TBO: Who would you like to work with?
Bongani: I'd like work with Oscar Buthelezi, Luyanda Sidiya, Akram Khan and Vincent Mantsoe one day
10. TBO: What are your last words of advice to those who wishes to be like you and/or more?
Bongani: What I'd like to say to young aspiring artists out there is that, they should not give up. In this you need to be very patient and passionate. You need to be strong and courageous. Never think you know better and always ask if you don't understand. Be humble and don't take anyone for granted.
For anyone who would like to communicate or contact Bongani:
Contact details
Cell: 0613062360
Email: M.bongzen@gmail.com
Website: www.andrewbongz.simplesite.com
Facebook: Bongani Mthombeni
Twitter: @Andrewbongz
Noluthando Mkhize TEEBO PRODUCTIONS Secretary & Castung Director N. DIP Drama (Undergraduate) Institution: Tshwane University of Technology
No comments:
Post a Comment