Rondebosch actress Ame Strydom, 23, is performing in her first professional play, A Howl in Makhanda, which opened at Observatory’s Magnet Theatre on Monday.
Written and directed by Qondiswa James, the play tells the story of how a disciplinary panel at an elite, all-girls boarding school deals differently with the transgressions of two black and two white pupils.
The play explores sexism, racism, teen pregnancy, family, religion and identity.
Strydom plays Sam, an insecure teenager grappling with her sexuality.
“All the characters have their own journey in the play and Sam is struggling with what most teenage girls go through,” she says.
Strydom is originally from Johannesburg and attended the Assumption Convent school. She has performed in several high-school musicals, including Grease, Footloose and High School Musical.
She is in her final year at UCT, studying a BA in Drama. She spent time with Leeds University’s drama society last year and performed in a pantomime.
She was just 4, she says, when she told her parents, Menke and Justin Strydom, she wanted to be a singer and dancer.
Her father is an actor and has had roles in Egoli, 7de Laan, Scandal!, Generations and the movie District 9.
A Howl in Makhanda also stars Kim Adonis, Yamkela Ntendiyo, Megan Theron and Zukisani Nongogo. It’s on at the Magnet Theatre until Wednesday January 29, at 7.30pm. On Saturday January 25 there will also be a 2.30pm matinee. Tickets are R70 and R50 for students. Book at www.webtickets.co.za. Email nomsa@magnettheatre.co.za or call 021 448 3436 for details.