Dramatic Arts Production 2011

Teacher-in-charge: Mr Adrian Skelly Assistant: Ms Carey Wallace Script: Who’s your Daddy? Cast: Georgia Carstens (Grade 12), Julia Holzberg (Grade 8), Hannah MacMillan (Grade 12), Catherine Paterson (Grade 12), Robyn Paterson (Grade 10), Kayla-Paige Raper (Grade 11), Keshia Samandan (Grade 9), Amy Tanzer (Grade 11)

“Who’s your Daddy?” was named Best Overall Production at the 2011 National Girls Schools’ Festival.

“Who’s your Daddy?” was the title of the original production written by Rustenburg’s young actresses to perform at the 2011 National Girls Schools’ Festival in the Eastern Cape. The workshop script grew as a result of the prerequisite that it must hold meaning and relevance to the all girls’ festival. The cast chose to set aside any stereotypical ‘issues’ associated with teenage girls and instead explored a theme which is less oft discussed openly: the complexity of the relationships which exist between daughters and their fathers. To add authenticity, it was decided not to have ‘superficial’ costumes made for the show; rather only clothing items borrowed from real-life fathers were worn. Sincerity and sentiment dominated rehearsals during which the girls shared their own feelings and experiences, and then drew on these to create authentic scenes, tableaux inspired by shaving and rugby scrums, and Physical Theatre routines.

Various other prizes were given at the awards ceremony in East London’s Guild Theatre, but when it came to choosing the final accolade, Best Overall Production, Chief Adjudicator, Mr John van der Walt, announced that the judging panel felt, “It simply had to be Rustenburg.” It was noted that some audience members were moved to tears by the sincerity with which the Rustenburg actresses spoke about the influence of fathers on daughters.

The Alston le Roux Drama Cup is awarded to the learner or learners who offered the greatest contribution to the development and promotion of Drama. In 2011 this was shared by Hannah MacMillan and Catherine Paterson. Hannah thrice represented the school in Drama by performing at various National Girls Schools Festivals: “Counting Sheep” (Runners-up 2008), “Miss Fortune and Miss Trust” (Winners 2009) and “Who’s your Daddy?” (Winners 2011). Catherine performed in the 2009 and 2011 shows, and also served as the Production Secretary of “Who’s your Daddy?”. Both performed at a number of Bishops Play Festivals and both received Full Colours for Drama.