Cohort: Staff

Smamkele Mentyisi is a writer and performance artist based in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. He holds a BA (Hons) in Theatre & Performance Studies (Majoring in Theatre Making) from the University of Cape Town. Smamkele’s work explores queerness, masculinity and spirituality in a post-apartheid South Africa. Their work utilizes, sonic psychedelia, image collages, and performative installations. Smamkele has performed in Habashwe by Mthuthuzeli Zimba at ICA & Infecting the City (2019), Zimela Mzimela by Smamkele Mentyisi at UCT & Body Politics (2018), Intyatyambo Iyaphume Engxondorheni (Video) by Tandile Mbatsha at Live Art Arcade (2019), We-Define by Smamkele Mentyisi at Impulse CPT (2019), Lwandle: Phuza/Phalaza at Body Politics(2024), AMAHLAZO at Magnet Theatre (2024). Smamkele current works at Magnet Theatre as a facilitator/Learner Support.

Mluleki Titi is a Theatre technician and designer. He worked as technical intern at Artscape Theatre (2017 -2018), where he developed skills in lighting, sound, audio visuals, stage management, set designing, technical maintenance. As theatre technician I was fortunate to be technician for National Arts Festival 2019, where he worked with different actors and producers in vast shows. He also work as Technical Manager of Makukhanye art room 2020. He has 2 years working as technical assistant at Magnet Theatre where he focuses on lighting and sound, venue managing, stage management and production manager and assisting set designs.

Jennie Reznek (Artistic Director and Trustee)  (BA Perf. Dip in Speech and Drama, UCT; Ecole Jaques Lecoq, Paris; MA ,UCT) is a graduate of University of Cape Town Drama school and studied in Paris with Jacques Lecoq for two years (1984 -1986). She is a director of Magnet Theatre and  has lectured in movement at University of Cape Town. She has worked as an aerialist and clown in the circus; a movement director and choreographer; a puppeteer with Handspring Puppet Company and is responsible for the bulk of the  creative and teaching programs of the company.

Mark Fleishman (Artistic Director and Managing Trustee) (BA, Perf. Dip (Speech and Drama) MA (UCT), PHD (UCT)) is Professor in the Drama Department at the University of Cape Town. He is an award winning director and has directed most of Magnet Theatre’s productions since ‘The Shows Not Over ’til the Fat Lady Sings’. He also functions as a writer, not only of theatre texts but of many published academic articles, mainly on South African theatre and is an internationally respected theatre maker and academic.

Zizipho Quluba is 20 years old. She was born 8 of July, 1994 in the Eastern Cape at Umtata and now lives in Gugulethu, NY3A. She is a third year trainee at Magnet Theatre.  She matriculated in 2013 from Wynberg High School Arts Focus School. Her goal is to mentor youth and give back what she have learnt these past years.

Livie Ncanywa is 21 years old, from Nyanga East and matriculated from Zonnebloem Nest High School. Previously he was involved with New Born Theatre, in Nyanga.

Luthando Mvandaba was born in Cape Town in 1990 but originated from the Eastern Cape where his parents come from. In 1989 he went to Nkazimulo Primary School and in 2006 he started his High School at Chris Hani Arts and Culture Focus School. After he finished his matric, he joined a community group called Buyelekhaya Traditional Dancers, Performing around Cape Town and out side and during the world cup season. In 2011 he went to Grahamstown with a production called Ibhekile Evuzayo (Leaking Calabash). In 2014 and 2015 he was part of the training at Magnet Theatre and is now doing a third year at Magnet Theatre.

Lwando Magwaca is from Nyanga East. He is currently doing a third year at Magnet Theatre. He runs an arts project called Tales Of Chronicles, which deals with African Indigenous poerty, for the past 8 years. He also leads a Christian Movement called Anointed Youth Movement that is based on empowering and equipping youth from different backgrounds for the past 6 years. He is a co-founder of Nyanga Yethu Project that runs a gang-intervention project, through arts and performances, for the past 6 years. He is currently running a new project called Thethani – a debating project that stimulates cognitive discussions that excavates leaders, motivational speakers and public talks that inform community and help build role models.

Meagan Booysen is  a 21 year old performer, creator and hopefully someday a creator of dreams. She is currently a 3rd year student at Magnet Theatre. She worked in the past with different community works such as the Cape Town Carnival, Fringe festival. She belonged to a community Theatre called BTC- Bridgetown Theatre Company, and has  danced with the Eoan group. During high school she performed with Hip Hop Indaba and the Rock challenge. She is currently a 3rd year trainee at Magnet Theatre.

Beviol Swarts is 20 years old and is from Eesteriver. She matriculated in 2013 from Eesteriver Arts and Culture Focus School. In 2014 she started at Magnet Theatre, trained there for 2 years and graduated at the end of 2015. She applied for the third year at Magnet Theatre that she is part of now.