FORBIDDEN HANDS by Brandon Olifant (TBO)

FORBIDDEN HANDS  Written, Choreographed, and
 conceptualized by Brandon Olifant (TBO) 

FORBIDDEN HANDS by Brandon Olifant (TBO)

Forbidden Hands is a Physical Theatre show that teaches us to never give up in life. The entire action/story is told through the tradition of stick fighting which in this case it is stylized with components of Contemporary Dance, Khatak and Physical Theatre.

In the story we see a boy who is undermined and degraded by the villagers in the village that he resides in, because he is told that he is not man enough. However, the elders of the village come together and bring tough people to train and groom this boy to become a man.  This exciting and breath taking show explores the use of Physical Theatre, Khatak and Contemporary Dance to tell the story.

Brandon says "the show would not have been possible if it was'nt for the talented movers and singers i worked with". The show is performed by Brandon Olifant, Mxolisi Mngwenya and Robin Matlhabane (Bio's will be below) which are three talents Movers who are driven to make their the best and work hard to be recognized within the professional industry. The piece also features great musicians and percussionists, the Musicians being Kabelo Sibanyoni, Lesego Montsho (Singers & Percussionists), Noxolo Kheswa and Kwezikazi Mfithi. 

Forbidden Hands  will be part of an institutional exam which will be a specialization module for Physical Theatre  students studying at Tshwane University of Technology. Brandon mentions that the work will not end at TUT but he hopes to continue with it to the professional industry after his studies.

The piece will be playing at Tshwane University of Technology on the 25th & 26th of October 2018 at the Rostrum Theatre at 19:00. 

Cast Bio's

Mxolisi Ngwenya 

Actor, Musician & a
Physical Theatre Practitioner 

Mxolisi Ngwenya is one of the Movers in Forbidden Hands by Brandon Olifant (TBO). He was born on the 9th of June 1995. He started performing on stage in 2011 when he was 16 years old, being part of a number of Highschool productions such as Ipi Zombi by Brett Bailey. Mxolisi Ngwenya  is currently completing his Diploma in Drama at Tshwane University of Technology and he say he is striving to further his studies to completing his B-tech in Drama after completing his Diploma. 

He is an actor, musician and a physical Theatre practitioner by profession. 

Kwezikazi Mfithi 

Kwezikazi Mfithi is an Actor,
soloist, musician & Visual Artist 

Kwezikazi Mfithi  is one of the Movers in Forbidden Hands by Brandon Olifant (TBO). started performing from the age of 8 taking part in school and church productions. She moved from Mthatha to Durban where she fell in love with singing and art.

She was featured in the St Theresa’s school album as one of the soloist. With the help from her mother she found an Art school in the Eastern Cape. The Lady Grey Arts Academy where she was groomed as a singing major ,visual artist and actress. Many opportunities came her way in Lady Grey as she took part in the Les Passionneś the top 20 best performers in her school. 

She was exposed to Singing, Dramatic art , Visual Art and choir eisteddfod’s,  being a stage manager, graphic and fashion designer in the Design Club,  script writing competitions (Say Yes Film production ), and other school production such as the Passion Play being playing the character of Mary and a soloist ,Easy Stages and Wolf production.

In 2016 she took part as in the Swedish exchange program travelling abroad to show case talent representing not only her school but the whole country. Deemed as Head Girl 2017 she passed with a Bachelors with two distinctions in Drama and Visual Art. She is currently studying in the Tshwane University of Technology continuing her journey in art with dedication. 

For more info please contact: 

Brandon Olifant TEEBO PRODUCTIONS Founder/CEO & Creative Director Qualification: N. DIP (Graduate: Diploma) extending for B-tech Institution: Tshwane University of Technology  (TUT) 

brandon.tboproductions1@gmail.com 

Noluthando Mkhize TEEBO PRODUCTIONS Secretary & Casting Director N. DIP Drama (Undergraduate) Institution: Tshwane University of Technology

thando.tboproductions1@gmail.com

EDDIE THABA Artist Profiling

Scriptwriter and Storyliner for eTV ,
  part-time Lecturer, teaching Stagecraft and Scriptwriting at TUT.
 

Eddie Thaba Artist Profiling 

A Scriptwriter and Storyliner for eTV’s daily drama, Rhythm City and is currently doing his Masters in Drama at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Drama Department, where he also works as a part-time Lecturer, teaching Stagecraft and Scriptwriting.

Eddie grew up in the mining town of Burgersfort, Limpopo where he started his basic education, right up to Grade 12. His love and talent for writing was picked up by his grade 4 teacher at Shopiane Primary School when he wrote and presented a farewell speech for a principal who was going on pension. From then on, Eddie picked up the pen and never looked back. At Kgahlanong Secondary School, Eddie took on debate and poetry, mentored by his English teacher, Kaiser Matlala. In his last year at the school, Eddie won a merit award for outstanding performance in Scrabble, the word-building board game. All these activities helped Eddie achieve a distinction in English on his Matric final exam in 2004.

But, as is the case with many young South Africans, Eddie was forced to study a course that would guarantee him a job at the mines, so he went on to study Electrical Engineering – Heavy Current at Capricorn FET in Seshego in 2005 and then moved to Sekhulhune FET – CS Barlow in Motetema in the last trimester to finish off his practical. Due to financial struggles, Eddie couldn’t take his studies further and found a job at the mines where he worked at the electrical division for a year. It was during this year that Eddie realised that he doesn’t belong in the mines and he made the important decision to follow his passion, which led him to TUT in 2007 where he enrolled for a National Certificate in Versatile Broadcasting.

In the following year, Eddie went on to enrol for Drama at the TUT Arts Campus, and as they say, the rest is history.

A trained actor, Eddie acted in a number of student plays and films before moving onto the professional stage, and later into scriptwriting and directing. His acting roles include notably, Zachariah Mphahlele in Uncle Vanya, an adaptation by Paul Grootboom, Moses in No Good Friday, directed by Sithembiso Blose, Judge in Forgiveness, an adaptation of Euripides’ Hecuba by Keamogetswe Moeketsane, and Pastor Veil in 11^th Avenue, written and directed by Boitumelo Zitha.

Eddie completed his B-Tech in Drama in 2011, majoring in Scriptwriting and Directing. It is at TUT Drama Department where he cut his teeth as a Director, directing Athol Fugard’s Nongogo in 2009 and Paul Slabolepszy’s Mooi Street Moves in 2010. In 2012, he wrote and directed Baggage, a play devised in collaboration with the cast, which won the award for ‘Most Promising Script’ at the Mzansi Fela festival at the South African State Theatre.

Eddie began writing for TV in 2014 on eTV’s eKasi – Our Stories. In 2016, after completing the NFVF’s Spark Script Editor’s course, he joined SABC3’s daily drama, Isidingo as a Scriptwriter until March 2018 when he moved to Rhythm City. In 2017, Eddie wrote Indumbe, a feature film occasionally played on Mzansi Magic.

Despite his accomplishments, Eddie believes he still has a lot to learn and much more to give and achieve. There’s a lot to look out for from this passionate and talented storyteller, so make sure you catch his play, DEFIANCE at the South African State Theatre in March 2019.

No Interview Questions 

For anyone who would like to communicate or contact Eddie Thaba: 

Contact details

Cell: N/A
Email: brandon.tboproductions1@gmail.com 

Website: N/A

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Brandon Olifant TEEBO PRODUCTIONS Founder/CEO & Creative Director Qualification: N. DIP (Graduate: Diploma) extending for B-tech Institution: Tshwane University of Technology  (TUT) 

Noluthando Mkhize TEEBO PRODUCTIONS Secretary & Casting Director N. DIP Drama (Undergraduate) Institution: Tshwane University of Technology

SELLO RAMOLAHLOANE Artist Profiling

Actor, Writer  and Director 

Sello was not formally trained to be an Artist / Actor. He learned his acting skills from the likes of George Lamola, Ramolao Makhene and Gibson Kente.

He was born in the East rand, but he grew up in Ikageng, Potchefstroom in North West. He matriculated in 1995 in the same township. Sello started acting at the age of 6 years as a Boy Scout. In his high school days he was known for his performances and later co found Boipelo Theatre Group with a friend.

He came to Johannesburg to work with the late Gibson Kente in How Long 2 and later in The Call. In 2000, Sello wrote a one hander called Xenophobia and later called it forlorn and now it’s titled Hate. Sello worked alone in this one hander as performer and director. In 2001 Sello entered a storytelling festival at Sibikwa Theatre and won an FNB Vita Award for storytelling festival at Sibikwa theatre. Sello has also done some TV work in Hillside and in 90 Plein Street 2, playing cameo roles. Sello also appeared in Generations, Isidingo, Skeem Sam, Home sweet home, Ngempela, Heartlaugh, Majakathata, The Wild and worked with Tshwane University Film students as an actor.

 Also did commercials for Mtn, Econet “Tin Can” and Avbob.

Sello worked with different theatre directors, the likes of Paul Grootboom, Ofentse Mothusi, Kgaogelo Tshabalala, Zweli, Ndumiso Mabandla, Eric Mlangeni, Sithembiso Blose, Diamond Mokwape just to mention few and he also  performed nationally and international, he performed in Australia (Adelaide & Wollongong), Amsterdam, France, Polland, Germany, Holland, Austria, Portugal and has toured UK( Nottingham, Manchester, London, Birmingham, etc). he performed, Township Stories(Relativity), Telling Stories, Interracial, Foreplay, Cards, Memoires of a Criminal, Long way to go, Corner street, Maru, Welcome to Rocksburg, The Black hermit, Situation Culture, Rhetorical, Infidel, Exile, How Long 2, Unbreakable Thread, The Call and many other shows including industrials.

Also worked with Side Productions as a writer and director of Transnet Promotional DVD’s from 2010 until 2013. He also worked as co-ordinator for outreach programmes for The South African State Theatre and Exile and also directed Resistance and was also an assistant director for Nqobile. Sello Also won a Student Life Award in Recognition of Drama Society at Tshwane University of Technology while he was studying Analytical Chemistry.

Later he started to conduct workshops around the country and was tutor in drama for e-productions. Sello’s centre of attention currently is putting more efforts in his Directing and writing.

Sello just graduated in 2018 with a Diploma in Drama, specialising in script writing and applied theatre. Sello is currently stdying B Tech with Tshwane University of Technology specialising in Directing and script writing.

Short Trailer 

No Interview Questions 

For anyone who would like to communicate or contact Sello Ramolahloane: 

Contact details

Cell: N/A

Email: ramolahloane.sello@gmail.com

Website: N/A

Facebook: to

 Sello Ngwana Nyatsi Ramolahloane

Brandon Olifant TEEBO PRODUCTIONS Founder/CEO & Creative Director Qualification: N. DIP (Graduate: Diploma) extending for B-tech Institution: Tshwane University of Technology  (TUT) 

Noluthando Mkhize TEEBO PRODUCTIONS Secretary & Castung Director N. DIP Drama (Undergraduate) Institution: Tshwane University of Technology

Bongani Andrew Mthombeni Artist Profiling

Dancer, Actor, Choreographer, Director

 & Founder of Picture Art 

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

Brandon Olifant TEEBO PRODUCTIONS Founder/CEO & Creative Director Qualification: N. DIP (Graduate: Diploma) extending for B-tech Institution: Tshwane University of Technology  (TUT)

Noluthando Mkhize TEEBO PRODUCTIONS Secretary & Castung Director N. DIP Drama (Undergraduate) Institution: Tshwane University of Technology