Clare Stopford

I have been in the theatre industry, first as a performer and then a director, and taught acting, directing, playmaking and academic courses as a senior lecturer and at the grassroot levels for 40 years.

Under the mentorship of Barney Simon, co-founder and artistic director of the famous Market Theatre, South Africa, I went from acting to directing as first, Resident Director, and then Associate Artistic Director. At the Market I directed numerous contemporary overseas scripts and classics when relevant as well as new South African plays by other writers and some I auteured. Some of these won national awards for best director and more significantly, for best actors and designers as well. .I also freelanced widely across South Africa, directing and teaching as a contract teacher to universities and grassroots institutions until I did my MA and was appointed the position of Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Town drama department (CTDPS) teaching acting, directing, playmaking and academic courses. I also supervised post graduate degrees. What differentiates me possibly is my extensive experience in the workshopping process (collaborative theatre making) having been deeply immersed in the powerful protest theatre movement of the 80's of which Barney Simon and the Market Theatre were at the forefront.

MA in Theatre and Performance (CTDPS)

BA Honours in Theatre Readings (CTDPS

Performer's diploma (CTDPS)