AFDA Durban Live Performance Coordinator Dr. Kabi Thulo’s journey into the world of theatre arts commenced through his undergraduate studies, which he completed in 2004 at the University of the Free State. Thereafter he started his professional career as an AREPP Theatre for Life (Educational Theatre Trust) performer in 2005 and continues to work as a professional theatre maker and performer to date. He completed his Honours (Drama specialization) at the University of Cape Town in 2007, pursued and completed his Masters studies (Drama for Life) at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2009 where he also lectured within the institution’s former Division of Dramatic Arts.
Kabi is a traditional healer of Sesotho and Mndau orientations who has graduated with a PhD from the University of Cape Town’s Centre for Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies in 2022. In terms of scholarly undertakings and artistic practice, his areas of interest are: curating performance, the intersections of ritual and theatre, devising performance/theatre making, directing and dramaturgy. The scope of Kabi’s expertise gathered from his professional experiences both as a lecturer and practicing artist include acting techniques (acting for stage and screen), text analysis, directing and practice as research methodology. Kabi has recently served as a co-convener of the International Federation of Theatre Research’s Performance as Research Working Group and Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (PACOFS) Council Member as its Deputy Chairperson.