An event hosted by the applied theatre honours group from Stellenbosch University’s (SU) drama department, in collaboration with the university’s centre for student counselling and development (CSCD), sought to highlight the role of art as a resource for nurturing mental wellness.
This was according to Elizri Malan, one of the applied theatre honours students who organised the event that took place on 13 August. It was the second of its kind hosted by the department this year.
A recent creative expression event, hosted by the applied theatre honours group from Stellenbosch University’s (SU) drama department, included singing, dancing, poetry and art. Around 25 students participated in the event. This was according to Angelique Filter, one of the applied theatre honours students who organised the event and the master of ceremonies for the evening. Tasheni Mutale (pictured above), a third year drama student at SU, said performing made her feel at home. PHOTO: Amy Lindstrom
“We’d rather students have this space to express themselves in a healthy way, rather than suppress it,” said Malan.
“That is the main reason we started these evenings and why we collaborate with the CSCD, who also offer support to the students.”
A long-time collaboration
The drama department and the CSCD have been collaborating on the project since 2018, with the aim to hold the event twice a year around the time of university exams. This was according to Amelda Brand, a lecturer at the SU drama department, who trained as a dramatherapist.
The first creative expression evening was held in 2018 and continued as an honours applied theatre project in collaboration with the CSCD, said Brand.
A recent event aimed at creative expression was open to all Stellenbosch University (SU). This was according to Alet Bruyns, an applied theatre honours student at SU. students and staff. “We are still trying to work on getting more staff involved, we had one staff performer this evening which was very exciting,” said Bruyns. PHOTO: Amy Lindstrom
The CSCD made a small financial contribution to the catering, but are mainly excited at the opportunity to be involved, according to Elmarie Kruger, a senior counselling psychologist at the CSCD.
“I think that success [of the event] can mostly be measured by the impact it has on students and the fact that they experience it as meaningful and enjoyable,” said Kruger.
“Expressing oneself emotionally is a very important part of personal growth and also a healing experience for many people.”
According to Elizri Malan, an applied theatre honours student, many of the people who performed were not drama students. Dr Philip Southey (first photo), a lecturer at Stellenbosch University’s physics department; and BSc students in applied mathematics and food science Aimée Harris (front) and Joshua Pienaar (back), also performed at the event, said Malan. PHOTO: Amy Lindstrom
An invitation to the ‘dark side’
“We had around 20 to 25 students sign up to perform,” said Angelique Filter, one of the applied theatre honours students who organised the event and the master of ceremonies for the evening.
However, Filter also invited audience members to “join the dark side” for the open mic section of the evening for those who did not sign up in time and those who felt inspired to contribute, she said.
“We are trying to generate a sense of community through shared interest. […] Anyone, please, give into the bad temptation and come join us up here, it’s really fun on the dark side,” said Filter.
Performers at an event held by the applied theatre honours group at Stellenbosch University could sign up via a link on the creative expression evening Instagram page, but there was also an open mic section of the evening for those who felt inspired to perform right then and there. This is according to Angelique Filter (pictured above), one of the applied theatre honours students who organised the event and the master of ceremonies for the evening, who invited audience members to “join the dark side”. PHOTO: Amy Lindstrom