Six decades on stage – countless standing ovations

The spotlight is on the UFS Department of Drama and Theatre Arts, and after sixty years, it is clear that 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, it is the department’s standing ovation-worthy role in the Free State community that truly brings down the house. UFS Drama does not 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.

The annual ATKV Tienertoneel festival is a masterclass in mentorship, drawing high schoolers from across the province. These young performers take to the Wynand Mouton Theatre, with guidance from UFS alumni and lecturers, proving that the next generation of thespians is already rehearsing their lines.

And if you have ever wandered through the Free State Arts Festival, chances are you have stumbled upon a UFS production bursting with energy, relevance, and flair. The department’s presence at the festival is no cameo; it is a recurring role that blends academic excellence with theatrical flair. It is where community meets creativity, and where the curtain never really closes.

Whether it is an experimental piece in a black box theatre or a vibrant musical in front of hundreds, UFS Drama plays its part with passion. Their outreach programmes take theatre beyond the fourth wall, directly into schools and underserved communities – reminding us that performance is not just entertainment; it is education, empowerment, and empathy.

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)

Welcome to the Department of Drama and Theatre Arts at the University of the Free State

Theatre is a unique art form; it does not have a tangible final product that will last forever. The beauty of it is that thespians work for weeks to create brief moments of pure art that evoke a legion of feelings and emotions. These moments, just like other art forms, convey a message and tell a story about life, humans, and even bigger forms of existence. We paint with our voices and sculpt with our bodies to make audiences and ourselves feel something. Theatre is art, and here at the UFS Drama and Theatre Arts Department, we eat, live, and breathe for our art.

Augusto Boal once said: “We must all do theatre, to find out who we are and to discover who we could become.”

We invite you to join us in shaping the future of performing arts education and research through academic achievement, societal impact, and diversity. At the UFS Drama and Theatre Arts Department, you can discover the artist you have always dreamed of being.

Let’s chase excellence together!

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Address

Department Drama and Theatre Arts
IB26, Scaena Complex
University of the Free State
PO Box 339
Bloemfontein
T: +27 51 401 2160

Academic 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

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