She's turning 60!

The spotlights are on the University of the Free State’s Department of Drama and Theatre Arts. After sixty years, it’s clear this cast has no intention of exiting stage left. With roots that stretch back to 1965, this department has grown from a modest script to a theatrical tour de force, bringing drama, design, direction, and deep community commitment to centre stage.

While past productions deserve their applause, the department’s standing ovation-worthy role in the Free State community truly brings down the house. UFS Drama doesn’t just stage plays - it stages purpose. From puppet shows in preschools to youth festivals packed with potential, this department has turned community engagement into an art form.

Now led by the dynamic Prof Anthea van Jaarsveld and the most versatile and talented teams under the spotlight, the department’s next act promises even more flair. With eyes set on international collaborations and inclusive storytelling, UFS Drama is ready for its global close-up. And let’s be honest – if life is a stage, this department is not just ready; it is already mid-monologue.

So, here’s to six decades of laughter, tears, thunderous applause, and the occasional forgotten line. UFS Drama and Theatre Arts is not just part of the show; it is the show. And as the lights dim on this milestone anniversary, one thing is for sure: the encore has only just begun.

By Barend Nagel
Published in Dumela (June 2025, Issue One)

Watch this space as we will be celebrating this milestone on 15 November 2025. More details to be provided in due course.

UFS Drama Department Shines at National Festivals

The Department of Drama and Theatre Arts at the University continues to make its mark on the national arts scene with exceptional performances, accolades, and recognitions across multiple festivals and platforms.

Vrystaat Arts Festival Wins and Standout Productions

At the Vrystaat Arts Festival’s prestigious Vryskitters Award ceremony, several of our staff members, students, alumni, and affiliated artists earned top honours:

Chris Vorster won Best Performer and Best Set Design for Gebou soos Stefi Graff, a visually arresting and emotionally layered piece that also received a nomination for Best Production.

Norman Doubell was named Best Upcoming Artist (alongside Anke Meyer-Auld) for his compelling performance in Harte-Bliksems, a production also nominated for Best Production.

Paquot took home Best Technical, a testament to the department’s growing technical prowess.

Read more

Celebrating Original Voices and Community Impact

Adding to the department's growing national reputation, staff member Rondo Mpiti-Spies and former student and lecturer Oliver Sikhathuli Bonga were recognised as Sunday World’s Unsung Heroes in Sports, Arts and Culture, a significant acknowledgement of their contribution to the field.

Sunday World’s Unsung Heroes stand as a testament to the truism that the youth are tomorrow’s leaders. According to Don Makatile: "they are brimming with innovative ideas that only need the enabling environment the state should create for business to thrive".

Read more

A Standing Ovation for Student-Led Excellence

A major highlight came from our second-year students, whose production Umnqophiso: The Covenant received a Silver Standing Ovation Award at the National Arts Festival. Professor Anthea praised the cohort for their initiative and leadership, independently driving the entire creative process from conception to execution.

Read more

A Landmark Moment in Artistic Exchange

The recent musical production of Carousel was a notable success and celebrated the international collaboration between The Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas, the Odeion School of Music (OSM), and the Drama Department. With limited preparation time and the ambitious choice of material, director Thys Heydenrych was praised for the excellent quality of the production. The performance received positive feedback from the university rectorate, and both students and staff from the SMU praised the high standards of the theatres, the smooth technical operation, and the professionalism of the technical team, calling UFS "the most professional collaborators" they’ve worked with to date.

Read more

Drama alumni, Sibahle Mabaso, Honoured as UFS Dream Scholar

In 2024, Sibahle Mabaso was named the UFS Dream Scholar and was selected as the second runner-up nationally. Her outstanding achievement earned her an invitation to the 2025 Siyaphumelela Conference, a national initiative to advance evidence-based strategies for student success in higher education across South Africa.

Read more

Address

Department Drama and Theatre Arts
IB26, Scaena Complex
University of the Free State
PO Box 339
Bloemfontein

Head of Department

Prof Anthea van Jaarsveld
T: +27 51 401 2657
E: vjaarsa@ufs.ac.za

Programme Director

Dr Thys Heydenrych
T: +27 51 401 3390
E: HeydenrychM@ufs.ac.za

FACULTY CONTACT

T: +27 51 401 2240 or humanities@ufs.ac.za

Postgraduate:
Marizanne Cloete: +27 51 401 2592

Undergraduate:
Neliswa Emeni-Tientcheu: +27 51 401 2536
Phyllis Masilo: +27 51 401 9683

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful, to better understand how they are used and to tailor advertising. You can read more and make your cookie choices here. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept