joelsgreenroom

My name is Joel Leonard. This blog, site, living archive is for my work in art. I mainly do theatre, a bit of film, modelling, performance art and writing, here and there. I have been in the arts for the past five years, and this blog aims to archive and contextualize my efforts and the beautiful people I've met along the way.

[joelsgreenroom]

But nah, God is with me. I’m going to do right by myself and I’m going to conquer. 

[joelsgreenroom]

Back with a vengeance!!!

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Photography by Tosin Awosusi.

2020.

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Keitumetse

Directed by Joel Leonard.

Performed by Kutloano Headbush & Hannah Van Tonder.

Designed by Peaceful Thulare.

Videography & Editing by Cody Van Wyk.

My Body My Space Whatsapp Festival.

Central Nervous System (CNS) Programme.

Produced by Sketch Productions and My Body My Space Public Arts Festival.

29 January - 31st May 2021.

Johannesburg, South Africa.

https://thecaperobyn.co.za/theatre-preview-my-body-my-space-public-arts-festival-2021/

https://www.inyourpocket.com/johannesburg/my-body-my-space-public-arts-festival_26161e

https://creativefeel.co.za/2020/10/my-body-my-space-a-performing-arts-festival-on-whatsapp/

[joelsgreenroom]

Keitumetse

Directed by Joel Leonard. 

Performed by Kutloano Headbush & Hannah Van Tonder.

Designed by Peaceful Thulare. 

Videography & Editing by Cody Van Wyk.

My Body My Space Whatsapp Festival. 

Central Nervous System (CNS) Programme. 

Produced by Sketch Productions and My Body My Space Public Arts Festival. 

29 January - 31st May 2021. 

Johannesburg, South Africa.

[joelsgreenroom]

This production was one of the smoothest, most innovative and a true gem of theatrical genius. Thank you Dintshitile. You are a magnificent director, and I learned a great deal from you during this process. You are one of my favourite humans, in the history of humanity, and you made the last show we ever did, an incredible one. Sboniso, Wonder, Mosehlana, Upile, Yogin, you were the best collaborators this show could have ever asked for. Thank you. I get so sentimental when reflecting on my time with Kwasha and The Empire Builders. I hope this isn’t the end of our time together my friends. I hope and pray we get another great opportunity to do what we do best.

The Empire Builders.

Written by Boris Vian.

Directed by Dintshitile Mashile.

Musical Composition & Editing by Yogin Sullaphen.

Joel Leonard as Father.

Sboniso Thombeni as Mother.

Upile uThixo Bongco as Zenobia.

Mosehlana Mamaregane as Mug.

Wonder Nhlanhla Ndlovu as Neighbour/Schmurz.

Photography by  Oscar Gutierrez.

Dialogue Coaches: Karina Lemmer and Mpho Malesa

Production and Company Manager: Rudy Motseatsea

Stage Managers: Lebeisa Molapo and Tiisetso Mawane-Madzhie

In Collaboration with the Market Laboratory, Institut Francais South Africa, Windybrow Arts Centre & Kwasha! Theatre Company.

Johannesburg, South Africa

3rd February - 10th March 2021

https://thecaperobyn.co.za/theatre-interview-dintshitile-mashile-talks-about-directing-the-empire-builders-sa-2021/

https://www.theafricantheatremagazine.com/the-empire-builders-a-bold-experiment-in-alternative-theatre/

https://creativefeel.co.za/2021/02/the-empire-builders-goes-sonic-with-kwasha-theatre-company/

https://empirebuildersinsa.org/

[joelsgreenroom]

The Empire Builders.

Written by Boris Vian.

Directed by Dintshitile Mashile.

Musical Composition & Editing by Yogin Sullaphen.

Joel Leonard as Father.

Sboniso Thombeni as Mother.

Upile uThixo Bongco as Zenobia.

Mosehlana Mamaregane as Mug.

Wonder Nhlanhla Ndlovu as Neighbour/Schmurz.

Photography by  Oscar Gutierrez.

Dialogue Coaches: Karina Lemmer and Mpho Malesa.

Production and Company Manager: Rudy Motseatsea.

Stage Managers: Lebeisa Molapo and Tiisetso Mawane-Madzhie.

In Collaboration with the Market Laboratory, Institut Francais South Africa, Windybrow Arts Centre & Kwasha! Theatre Company.

Johannesburg, South Africa.

3rd February - 10th March 2021

https://thecaperobyn.co.za/theatre-interview-dintshitile-mashile-talks-about-directing-the-empire-builders-sa-2021/

https://www.theafricantheatremagazine.com/the-empire-builders-a-bold-experiment-in-alternative-theatre/

https://creativefeel.co.za/2021/02/the-empire-builders-goes-sonic-with-kwasha-theatre-company/

https://empirebuildersinsa.org/

[joelsgreenroom]

The Empire Builders.

Written by Boris Vian.

Directed by Dintshitile Mashile.

Musical Composition & Editing by Yogin Sullaphen.

Joel Leonard as Father.

Sboniso Thombeni as Mother.

Upile uThixo Bongco as Zenobia.

Mosehlana Mamaregane as Mug.

Wonder Nhlanhla Ndlovu as Neighbour/Schmurz.

Photography by  Oscar Gutierrez.

Dialogue Coaches: Karina Lemmer and Mpho Malesa

Production and Company Manager: Rudy Motseatsea

Stage Managers: Lebeisa Molapo and Tiisetso Mawane-Madzhie

In Collaboration with the Market Laboratory, Institut Francais South Africa, Windybrow Arts Centre & Kwasha! Theatre Company.

Johannesburg, South Africa

3rd February - 10th March 2021

https://thecaperobyn.co.za/theatre-interview-dintshitile-mashile-talks-about-directing-the-empire-builders-sa-2021/

https://www.theafricantheatremagazine.com/the-empire-builders-a-bold-experiment-in-alternative-theatre/

https://creativefeel.co.za/2021/02/the-empire-builders-goes-sonic-with-kwasha-theatre-company/

https://empirebuildersinsa.org/

[joelsgreenroom]

The Empire Builders.

Written by Boris Vian.

Directed by Dintshitile Mashile.

Musical Composition & Editing by Yogin Sullaphen.

Joel Leonard as Father.

Sboniso Thombeni as Mother.

Upile uThixo Bongco as Zenobia.

Mosehlana Mamaregane as Mug.

Wonder Nhlanhla Ndlovu as Neighbour/Schmurz.

Photography by  Oscar Gutierrez.

Dialogue Coaches: Karina Lemmer and Mpho Malesa

Production and Company Manager: Rudy Motseatsea

Stage Managers: Lebeisa Molapo and Tiisetso Mawane-Madzhie

In Collaboration with the Market Laboratory, Institut Francais South Africa, Windybrow Arts Centre & Kwasha! Theatre Company.

Johannesburg, South Africa

3rd February - 10th March 2021

https://thecaperobyn.co.za/theatre-interview-dintshitile-mashile-talks-about-directing-the-empire-builders-sa-2021/

https://www.theafricantheatremagazine.com/the-empire-builders-a-bold-experiment-in-alternative-theatre/

https://creativefeel.co.za/2021/02/the-empire-builders-goes-sonic-with-kwasha-theatre-company/

https://empirebuildersinsa.org/

[joelsgreenroom]

The Empire Builders.

Written by Boris Vian.

Directed by Dintshitile Mashile.

Musical Composition & Editing by Yogin Sullaphen.

Joel Leonard as Father.

Sboniso Thombeni as Mother.

Upile uThixo Bongco as Zenobia.

Mosehlana Mamaregane as Mug.

Wonder Nhlanhla Ndlovu as Neighbour/Schmurz.

Photography by  Oscar Gutierrez.

Dialogue Coaches: Karina Lemmer and Mpho Malesa

Production and Company Manager: Rudy Motseatsea

Stage Managers: Lebeisa Molapo and Tiisetso Mawane-Madzhie

In Collaboration with the Market Laboratory, Institut Francais South Africa, Windybrow Arts Centre & Kwasha! Theatre Company.

Johannesburg, South Africa

3rd February - 10th March 2021

https://thecaperobyn.co.za/theatre-interview-dintshitile-mashile-talks-about-directing-the-empire-builders-sa-2021/

https://www.theafricantheatremagazine.com/the-empire-builders-a-bold-experiment-in-alternative-theatre/

https://creativefeel.co.za/2021/02/the-empire-builders-goes-sonic-with-kwasha-theatre-company/

https://empirebuildersinsa.org/

[joelsgreenroom]

The Empire Builders. 

Written by Boris Vian.

Directed by Dintshitile Mashile. 

Musical Composition & Editing by Yogin Sullaphen.

Joel Leonard as Father. 

Sboniso Thombeni as Mother. 

Upile uThixo Bongco as Zenobia.

Mosehlana Mamaregane as Mug. 

Wonder Nhlanhla Ndlovu as Neighbour/Schmurz.

Photography by  Oscar Gutierrez.

Dialogue Coaches: Karina Lemmer and Mpho Malesa

Production and Company Manager: Rudy Motseatsea

Stage Managers: Lebeisa Molapo and Tiisetso Mawane-Madzhie

In Collaboration with the Market Laboratory, Institut Francais South Africa, Windybrow Arts Centre & Kwasha! Theatre Company.

Johannesburg, South Africa

3rd February - 10th March 2021

https://thecaperobyn.co.za/theatre-interview-dintshitile-mashile-talks-about-directing-the-empire-builders-sa-2021/

https://www.theafricantheatremagazine.com/the-empire-builders-a-bold-experiment-in-alternative-theatre/

https://creativefeel.co.za/2021/02/the-empire-builders-goes-sonic-with-kwasha-theatre-company/

https://empirebuildersinsa.org/ 

[joelsgreenroom]

Peeling Shadows

Directed by Joel Leonard

Mentored by Sinenhlanhla Prince Mgeyi

Devised & Performed by Kwasha! Theatre Company

Music Designed & Composed by Wonder Nhlanhla Ndlovu

Dramaturgy by Upile uThixo Bongco

Produced by Mosehlana Mamaregane & Rudy Motseatsea

Lighting Design by Sbusiso Ndumndum

Photography by Hoek Swarathle 

Sound Technical Assistance by Phila Zwide 

Poster Design by Ryan Lloyd & Joel Leonard

Ramolao Makhene Theatre

Produced by the Market Theatre Laboratory, Windybrow Arts Centre & Kwasha! Theatre Company

30th October - 8th November 2020

[joelsgreenroom]

Peeling Shadows

Directed by Joel Leonard

Mentored by Sinenhlanhla Prince Mgeyi

Devised & Performed by Kwasha! Theatre Company

Music Designed & Composed by Wonder Nhlanhla Ndlovu

Dramaturgy by Upile uThixo Bongco

Produced by Mosehlana Mamaregane & Rudy Motseatsea

Lighting Design by Sbusiso Ndumndum

Photography by Hoek Swarathle 

Sound Technical Assistance by Phila Zwide 

Ramolao Makhene Theatre

Produced by the Market Theatre Laboratory, Windybrow Arts Centre & Kwasha! Theatre Company

30th October - 8th November 2020

[joelsgreenroom]

Peeling Shadows

Directed by Joel Leonard

Mentored by Sinenhlanhla Prince Mgeyi

Devised & Performed by Kwasha! Theatre Company

Music Designed & Composed by Wonder Nhlanhla Ndlovu

Dramaturgy by Upile uThixo Bongco

Produced by Mosehlana Mamaregane & Rudy Motseatsea

Lighting Design by Sbusiso Ndumndum

Photography by Hoek Swarathle 

Sound Technical Assistance by Phila Zwide 

Ramolao Makhene Theatre

Produced by the Market Theatre Laboratory, Windybrow Arts Centre & Kwasha! Theatre Company

30th October - 8th November 2020

[joelsgreenroom]

...Oh my. Peeling Shadows. The best show I’ve ever been apart of. If I don’t stage this show in the coming years, shoot me, right between the eyes, cause I’ve lost my mind!!! This show was a gift, from God, because He gave me an incredible team, allowed me to stage it in Level 3 Lockdown, and allowed me to have the best Mentor offer his services to us, Sinenhlanhla Prince Mgeyi, a Kwasha ancestor from the Heavens. 

This show has been on my mind every day since we staged it... It’s got a hold on me and it won’t let me go. If I could stage this show every year, I would. That’s just how much I love it. And honestly, it unlocked a deep love for theatre that I hadn’t felt since High School. This play was based on my favourite play, Manolibera. Manolibera was an Italian play I had the priviledge to watch in 2012 when I went to the National Arts Festival in Makhanda, formerly Grahamstown. Manolibera changed my life that night, two hours of pure theatrical bliss. I’ll never forget how everyone around me fell asleep, but fifteen year old Joel was glued to the performers on stage. I can still hear Penelope scream “Hercule!” 

So, when I decided to direct this show, I knew I had to do what Manolibera did, but with the current team I have, I had to take it even further and allow these beautiful gifts disguised as humans to show themselves to the story and after that, my job was pure bliss. My directing debut was an absolute hit and I have them to thank every day. Mosehlana, Wonder, Upile, Dintshitile, Sboniso, Sinenhlanhla, Rudy, Clara, Sbusiso, Phila, Daniel, from the deepest caverns of my chest, where my heart lies, thank you. A million times. Thank you.  Peeling Shadows

Directed by Joel Leonard

Mentored by Sinenhlanhla Prince Mgeyi

Devised & Performed by Kwasha! Theatre Company

Music Designed & Composed by Wonder Nhlanhla Ndlovu

Dramaturgy by Upile uThixo Bongco

Produced by Mosehlana Mamaregane & Rudy Motseatsea

Lighting Design by Sbusiso Ndumndum

Photography by Hoek Swarathle 

Sound Technical Assistance by Phila Zwide 

Ramolao Makhene Theatre

Produced by the Market Theatre Laboratory, Windybrow Arts Centre & Kwasha! Theatre Company

30th October - 8th November 2020

[leraydo-deactivated20210711]

Peeling Shadows Review

For Art Cave

By Lerato Tladi

A Play by Kwasha Company in collaboration with the Market Theatre Laboratory and the Windybrow Arts Centre.

Production and Company Manager: Rudy Motseatsea

Director/AV Design/Illustrator: Joel Leonard

Mentor: Sinenhlanhla Mgeyi

Dramaturge: Upile Bongco

Lighting Designer: Sibusiso David Ndumndum

Performers: Mosie Mamaregane, Sboniso Thombeni, Wonder Ndlovu, Upile Bongco and Dintshitile Mashile

Pictures taken by Hoek Swaratlhe

The Gumede Residence is stained with blood. Celebrating the spirit of Halloween, Kwasha! Theatre Company presents a paranormal mystery. Based on South African legendary myths, this freeky play will tickle your funny bone until it hurts.

Detective Pamela Jack performed by Upile Bongco! Literally falls into a creepy case. The zealous police officer bumps into Boang performed by Mosie Mamaregane. The little girl appears to be mute when she does not verbally respond to the detective’s questions and remarks. In a quest to find her home, Pamela and Boang wander the streets of Wonder Heights together. In a land far into the woods is the Gumede Residence - a place of mystery and crime, where the shadows of three siblings Dineo performed by Dintshitile Mashile, Happy performed by Wonder Ndlovu and Vusi Gumede performed by Sboniso Thombeni haunt the house succeeding an unfortunate event. 

The play starts with shadows. Three youthful characters experience their demise following a crime they committed. A comedic unfolding of events will leave you in tears from laughing. Even though solving the mystery is a little hazy, unraveling the missing clues does paint a clear picture. Peeling Shadows is beautifully displayed and curated.

Lighting plays an imperative role to the visual appeal of the show. An emotional transformation is guaranteed with different light transitions. The use of ambient lighting successfully creates an otherworldly aesthetic, where bright light eases you into a normal world. Projections from the projector gives the animated or cartoonist style Director Joel Leonard mentioned in an interview on Morning Live. Animated characters strengthen the humour elements in addition to dialogue. These special effects make the show feel like it could go on forever.

Watching the show I gathered: Peeling Shadows is a representation of how corruption and fraud should be dealt with in South Africa - law enforcement collaborating with the spiritually gifted to teach those who steal a lesson. It is a story about a father's love for his daughter in an unexpected plot twist; and a devoted police officer that stops at nothing to uncover the truth. There are strong themes of greed, desire, love and death to name a few. My favourite characters were the three charismatic beings that transform into old souls from their naive youthful nature and the quiet little girl who is the biggest clue to solving the case.

The play is total must see for creatives looking for inspiration and art lovers who love exploring new ways of translating ideas. Anyone from the age of seven can watch the show

Peeling Shadows is a production by Kwasha! Theatre Company. A hub for young emerging professionals in art that exhibit their exceptional talents for telling stories. They are a collaborative project of the Market Theatre Laboratory and the Windybrow Arts Centre in Johannesburg.

Watch Peeling Shadows Live on

08 November 2020 (Last Show)

At: 15h00 - 16h00 and 19h00 - 20h00

Venue: The Ramolao Makhene Theatre

[joelsgreenroom]

Thank you Lerato Tladi! 

[joelsgreenroom]

My second award winning production, and first digital play to win an award! In November 2020 The Art of Facing Fear was a finalist in the Good The@ter Festival, a festival dedicated to digital theatre and providing access to all theatregoers across the globe. And fortunately, we won two awards for our efforts, for Best Production & Best Ensemble. Honoured and proud!

This was a doubly awesome experience as we got to collaborate with the original Brazilian cast of The Art of Facing Fear, which really added an entirely new feel to the show and kept us all on our toes performance wise. Many thanks to them!

https://www.theredcurtaininternational.org/festival?fbclid=IwAR1zYixciihQB6ZnCy3qRltk3T3cAntKP-a5ySmFAEAS-UxTlsDMsCyd72A

https://www.theredcurtaininternational.org/shows?lang=de&fbclid=IwAR32ex9jncWb76unihrRzZ0215a0PkwOqH07JIDfE14W4F0uEj91OF1W03Q

The Art of Facing Fear

Directed by Rodolfo Garcia Vazquez

Written by Ivam Cabral & Rodolfo Garcia Vazquez

Performed by Katta Palsson, Ulrika Malmgren, Sabrina De Nobile, Diego Ribeiro, Mariana Franca, Frank Malaba, Henrique Mello, Christina Dawson, Bola Stephen-Atitebi, Joao Branco, Ivam Cabral, Nina Ernst, Philisiwe Twijnstra, Segun Adefila, Isabel Alves Branco, Janaina Alves, Wonder Ndlovu, Joel Leonard, Mosehlana Mamaregane, Upile uThixo Bongco, Sboniso Thombeni, Dintshitile Mashile, Gustavo Ferreira

Produced by Darling Desperados, Os Satryos, Crowne Troupe of Africa, Village Gossip Productions, Tell-A-Tale Productions, ODDMANOUT Theatre Company, Kwasha! Theatre Company, Market Laboratory, Cie Kaddu

Producing/Marketing by Janna Julian

Designed by Henrique Mello, Adriana Vaz, Rogerio Romualdo

Photography by Andre Stefano

Sound by Leo Pegozzi

21st November 2020 - 22nd November 2020

England, Brazil, Senegal, Nigeria, South Africa, Cape Verde, Zimbabwe, Sweden, Germany, India

Europe, Africa, Asia & South America

The Red Curtain International 

Good The@ter Festival 

Performed for an audience in Kolkata, India

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