SIFISO MAZIBUKO
Home: 59 Woodlawn Rd, Fulham, London, UK SW6 6PS
Cellphone: 07553 495947
mazibuko.2@osu.edu or sphinx.mazibuko@gmail.com
EDUCATION
M.F.A. in Acting. The Ohio State University. Columbus, Ohio. 2015
B-Tech. Musical Theatre. Tshwane University of Technology. Pretoria, South Africa. 2009.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
I am a teacher interested in delivering theatre education to a generation starved of live
performance interactions. I am also an actor interested in the body as a universal
communicator through movement and theatrical expression. Physical Theatre is the central
focus of my studies. My research interests are summarized as:
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The body and its ability to communicate beyond the use of spoken word
Movement for the actor
Acting, Physical Theatre and Devising
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
I. The Ohio State University (USA): 2012 - 2015
Graduate Teaching Associate
Stand Up For Shakespeare Program: The Royal Shakespeare Company and Ohio State
University. Responsible for engaging K-12 students (Year 1-12) through workshops
centered on understanding and exploring Shakespeare’s complex text through play, text
work, ensemble building and rehearsal techniques taught by the Royal Shakespeare
Company. 2014-2015
The Craft of Acting (Theatre 2811): Responsible for designing the syllabus and teaching the
fundamental techniques of acting to Undergraduates; including monologue and scene
work, Stanislavsky and ensemble-based rehearsal techniques and other teaching
methodologies. Columbus OH. 2013 - 2015.
Movement and Voice (Theatre 2831): Responsible for teaching movement for actors, voice
production and whole body expressiveness, with particular emphasis on the approaches
and techniques of Rudolf Laban (Movement for the actor) and Kristen Linklater (Voice
for the actor). Columbus OH. 2013 - 2014.
Mazibuko CV—1
Introduction to Theatre (Theatre 2100) May term: Responsible for creating the syllabus for
the course, lecturing and the management of 50-75 students per semester in discussionoriented recitation. Columbus OH. 2012 - 2013.
II. Tshwane University of Technology (RSA)
Full Time Lecturer
Musical Theatre Studies II (MTS200T): Course work covers the beginnings of Musical
Theatre as an art form in America and Britain from early Vaudeville to Rodgers and
Hammerstein to the Golden Age of the Musical, to Broadway and the West End. Also
addresses the film musical era. Pretoria, South Africa. 2010.
Musical Theatre Studies III (MTS300T): Course work covers the work of Stephen Sondheim
and other pioneering musical theatre practitioners from the 1970s to the present.
Looking at the Rock Musical and theatre in London (e.g.: Andrew Lloyd Weber and
Cameron Mackintosh). Pretoria, South Africa. 2010.
Musical Theatre Studies IV (MTS400T): Course work covers literature and plays from Uncle
Tom’s Cabin to Look Back in Anger by John Osborn. The history of both American and
European theatre is studied. Pretoria, South Africa. 2010.
III. Other
Ensemble: Course work covers repertoire from Musical Theatre productions. Students are
taught to sing as a chorus. Listening, harmonizing and performing as a group are
emphasized.
SCHOLARSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS, AWARDS, AND GRANTS
Excellence in Teaching Award: The Ohio State University. Spring 2014. Awarded in the
Theatre Department in recognition of restructuring and presenting the Movement and
Voice course content in an innovative way.
John C. Morrow Fund. The Ohio State University. Fall 2013. Competitively awarded across
disciplines for support of travel and research. Amount awarded $400.
Aida Cannarsa Snow Endowment Fund. The Ohio State University. Fall 2012. Competitively
awarded across disciplines for support of travel and research. Amount awarded $700.
Graduate Teaching Associate: The Ohio State University. Fall 2012 to Spring 2015.
CONFERENCE PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONS
Blurring Boundaries without Burning Bridges: Italian Contemporary Performance, the
Theatre of Emma Dante, and Beyond: Title of paper presented – “The Marceau Project:
A Reflection on what There is No Silence, Physical Theatre, Technology and Mime Mean
to Me.” The Ohio State University. Columbus, OH. September 2014.
Mazibuko CV—2
Making the Invisible Visible: Mime’s Contemporary Legacy: Title of workshop: The Body as
Text. During this workshop participants are introduced to the possibilities of combining
the fundamentals that lie within the technique of mime with physical theatre practices
drawn from companies like Frantic Assembly (UK) in order to create movement scores
with both text and the body. April 2014 at The Ohio State University. Columbus, OH.
Position: The Power and Politics of Witnessing: Graduate Syndicate Symposium. Title of
piece performed: Crossing. Directed by Francesca Spedalieri. Choreographed by Sifiso
Mazibuko and Patrick Wiabel. Dance piece addresses immigrants traveling from Africa
to Italy by ship and losing their lives to the sea. The Ohio State University. Columbus,
OH. March 2014.
Shifting Boundaries/Crossing Cultures: The Politics, Process, and Performance of
Collaboration: Title of acting scene presented: Collaboration across Culture. During this
presentation two American actors direct two South African actors in a scene from
Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf and two South African actors direct two
American actors in Athol Fugard’s Hello and Goodbye. The Ohio State University.
Columbus, OH. Spring 2013.
PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE
I. PRODUCTIONS AND PERFORMANCES
Dancers: By Emma Dante. Performer. United Kingdom and North American Premier
(London and New York City) 2015.
A Land Without People: By Brian Rotman. Directed by Lesley Ferris. Lead Actor. London
Premier at The Courtyard Theatre. 2015
the theatre is a blank page: Collaboration between Ann Hamilton and the SITI Company.
Role – Assistant. The Wexner Center for The Arts. The Ohio State University. Columbus,
OH. April 2015
In Here, Out There: Created and Devised by MFA Acting Cohort of 2015. Role - Anthony.
The Ohio State University. Columbus, OH. 2014.
The First Actress: By Christopher St John (Christabel Marshall). Role - Sir Charles Sedley. The
Barn Theatre, Smallhythe Place, Kent (UK) and Theatro Technis (London). Palindrome
Productions. August 2014
The First Actress: By Christopher St John (Christabel Marshall). Role - Sir Charles Sedley.
Bowen Theatre. The Ohio State University, in conjunction with the Lab Series. May 2014.
There Is No Silence: Devised by 2015 MFA Cohort. Ensemble member/Marcel Marceau.
Directed by Jeanine Thompson. The Ohio State University. Columbus, OH. 2014.
Mazibuko CV—3
The Laramie Project (Staged Reading): By Moises Kaufman. Bowen Theatre. The Ohio State
University, in conjunction with the Lab Series. October 2013.
Patience Worth: By Jennifer Schlueter. Staged reading at Tristan Bates Theatre, London UK.
August 2013.
North: By Jennifer Schlueter and the for/word company. Staged reading with Sam West.
London 2013.
The Tempest: Role – Prospero. Directed by Cressida Brown (Assistant Director at the Royal
Shakespeare Company 2008). The Ohio State University. Columbus, OH. 2013
Friedrich Durrenmatt’s The Visit: Role - Pastor. Directed by Lesley Ferris. The Ohio State
University. Columbus, OH. 2013
The Mystery of Edwin Drood: Role - John Jasper. Directed by A. Scott Parry. The Ohio State
University. Columbus, OH. 2012.
The Full Monty: Role - Horse. Directed by Dr. Harold Mortimer. Ball State University.
Muncie, Indiana. 2009.
Urinetown: Role – Mr. Cladwell. Directed by Elizma Bardenhorst. Tshwane University.
Pretoria, South Africa. 2008.
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change!: By Joe Dipietro and Jimmy Roberts Directed by
Anitra Davel. Tshwane University. Pretoria, South Africa. 2008.
Ragtime: By Stephen Flaherty, Lynn Ahrens and Terrence McNally. Role – Booker T.
Washington. Directed by Timothy Walton. Tshwane University. Pretoria, South Africa.
2008.
II. PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA
Dreamgirls The Musical: Frank/Curtis Understudy. Directed by Robert Longbottom. South
African Premier. Teatro Theatre, Johannesburg. 2011.
Shaka Zulu The Musical: Ensemble. A new South African musical. Written and directed by
Deon Opperman. The South African State Theatre, Pretoria. 2010.
III. COMMERCIALS
Outsurance: Air Films. Advertisement for South African insurance company highlighting the
company’s Bend Over Backwards campaign. South Africa 2012.
MAQ: Advertisement for Fabric Softener. South Africa 2012.
Mazibuko CV—4
Cotlands: Frieze Films. Charity organization commissioned this advertisement, which was
shot in the Drakensburg Mountains in South Africa with Pop and R&B singer Loyiso Bala.
2011.
Pick ‘n Pay Foods: Air Films. Hand modeling for food. South Africa 2011.
Globe Flight: IMBUE. South Africa 2011.
IV. FILMS
Pretville: Hartiwood Films. Afrikaans Movie musical shot in South Africa about a farm boy in
love with a city girl. South Africa. 2012.
V. CREATION AND DEVISING
Hector: As creator and performer, I performed Hector, a play about Hector Pieterson, a
young South African student shot in the 1976 Soweto student uprising. Performed at
The Courtyard Theatre. London. 2015.
(!KE E:/ XARRA //KE) A New African Folktale: 2 Person Show devised in conjunction with the
Lab Series. Produced at The Ohio State University performed at the Cincinnati Fringe
Festival. 2015
In Here, Out There: Role - Anthony. Created and Devised by MFA Acting Cohort of 2012. The
Ohio State University. Columbus, OH. 2014.
There Is No Silence: Ensemble member/Marcel Marceau. Directed by Jeanine Thompson.
The Ohio State University. Columbus, OH. 2014.
VI. ADAPTATION
The Crucible. By Arthur Miller. Adaptation. Produced by Zinto Activations Group (South
Africa), April - June, 2012.
Nothing But the Truth. By John Kani. Adaptation. Produced by Zinto Activations Group
(South Africa), April - June, 2012.
Romeo and Juliet. By William Shakespeare. Adaptation. Produced by Zinto Activations
Group (South Africa), April - June, 2012.
VII. OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT
Kelly Hunter’s THE TEMPEST: By Kelly Hunter based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Played
Caliban. The Ohio State University. May 2015.
Mazibuko CV—5
Shakespeare Festival: Worked with students and children K-12 from Columbus city schools
to present short extracts from Shakespeare plays including setting up and working
through logistics of the day of performance. The Ohio State University. May 2015.
Haugland Learning Center: Worked with children with disabilities and on the autisim
spectrum from The Haugland Learning Center using The Hunter Heart Beat Method to
bridge communicative blocks through Shakespeare’s language games.
In Here, Out There: Role - Anthony. Created and Devised by MFA Acting Cohort of 2012. The
Ohio State University. Columbus, OH. 2014.
VIII. MOVEMENT COACHING, CHOREOGRAPHY & FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY
Dancers: By Emma Dante. Directed by Francesca Spedalieri. Choreographed and performed
movement and dance sequences for the United Kingdom and North American Premier
of Dancers. The Courtyard Theatre, London. The Y Theatre on 14 th Street, New York City.
2015.
A Land Without People: By Brian Rotman. Directed by Lesley Ferris. Created movement
sequences for history play about British involvement during 1939-1947 with
Israel/Palestine. The Courtyard Theatre. London. 2015
Henry V: By William Shakespeare. Created movement sequences and assisted the fight
choreography with combat specialist Robert Behrens (RADA). Ohio State. Columbus, OH.
Spring 2015.
In Here, Out There: Devised by 2015 MFA Cohort. Created movement and fight
choreography. Ohio State. Columbus, OH. Fall 2014.
IX. MUSICAL DIRECTING
Parade. By Jason Robert Brown. Tshwane University of Technology. October 2010.
X. WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING
SITI Company: Anne Bogart and Ann Hamilton Collaboration at the Wexner Center for the
Arts. Training from various members of the company in both Suzuki and Viewpoints.
Frantic Assembly: Workshop with cutting edge Physical Theatre Company exploring ways of
creating work through physical approaches. London, England. 2014.
Pacific Performance Project East: Physical Approaches to Performance lead by Steven
Pearson and Robyn Hunt. A workshop focused on the training of theatre director
Tadashi Suzuki, Shogo Ota Slow Tempo work, power, efficiency and delicacy in
movement and dynamics in physical action. Chicago, IL. 2014.
Mazibuko CV—6
David Fielder: Workshop with UK Actor (of the Royal Shakespeare Company) David Fielder.
The Ohio State University. April 2014.
Cicely Berry: Shakespeare Workshop with voice director of the Royal Shakespeare Company
and world-renowned author and teacher Cicely Berry. Stratford-upon-Avon, UK. June
2013.
Jacqui O’Hanlon and Rebecca Gould; Royal Shakespeare Company: Over 14 days training in
Stand up for Shakespeare. Columbus, OH. November 2012 and Stratford Upon Avon,
June 2013.
Sutton Foster and Danny Bernstein: Singing workshop in New York City with Broadway
professionals. Workshop included performance advice for songs presented. 2009.
XI. SERVICE
Curriculum and Instruction Committee: Committee’s responsibilities include the governance of
Departmental policies, curriculums, student body needs and the overall running of the
academic portion of The Ohio State University’s Theatre Department. Served on the
committee for an academic year. 2014 – 2015.
XII. LANGUAGES AND SKILLS
Speaking Comprehension in English and Zulu, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Setswana (South African
languages).
Skills – Musician (percussion), Read Music, Singing, Dancing (Jazz, ballet and Tap Dance).
REFERENCES
Dr. Lesley Ferris
Department Chair
ferris.36@osu.edu
Acting and Directing Head
Amanda Fox
fox.393@osu.edu
Advisor
Jeanine Thompson
thompson.105@osu.edu
A. Scott Parry
Director/Singing Professor
ascottparry@gmail.com
Kevin McClatchy
Acting Supervisor
mcclatchy.1@osu.edu
Mazibuko CV—7