We kick off our series of interviews with festival artists from the Adelaide Fringe today. First into the spotlight is Sheela Langeberg whose show, Ndito The Masai Girl offers a rare glimpse into a fast disappearing culture. Sheela’s show is a charming rendition of her book about a young Masai girl. On for only one day, Tuesday 3rd March with three showings, the first at 10.00 am, the second at noon and the third at 2.00 pm; this is clearly a show you can’t afford to miss. So lets put our 10 Questions to Sheela…
1. What inspired you to become an artist, performer, musician, dancer, writer, entertainer?
I just started to do one art form, and other art forms came. My grandfather on my mothers’ side was an incredible storyteller. My mother was a great chanter and dancer. My great grandmother had an incredible sense of humour. Every woman in the village hummed or sang to everything they did. These are the people who really inspired and continue to inspire me.
2. What’s your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2009 Adelaide Fringe?
Ndito The Masai Girl, is an enchanting true story about courage, determination, and a little bit of attitude. It’s about a little girl living in very strict traditional values, who overcomes a mysterious illness and obstacles in her jungle quest, to meet her favourite birds the Flamingos, Marabou Storks and Peacocks. The show is educational, funny, energetic, musical and interactive. Ndito the Masai Girl, brings the real Africa to you. It gives a rare glimpse into a disappearing culture.
3. What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?
The past few years I’ve been touring in Europe performing at international conferences, universities, schools and co-operate functions. I’ve been working really hard, and have had an incredible and great time as well. I’ve met a lot of great people, made friends, and built impressive business networks.
4. What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?
About ten years ago, I was performing to packed house, at the Adelaide Festival Theatre. The drums played like madness, and I was doing a fertility dance on stage. Suddenly, a man seated at the front roll, started to moan aloud. Before long, he fell off the chair. A woman seated next to him, stood up, bent over him, and started to slap him across the face with her handbag. Then she grabbed him by the hand, and walked out. I never found out what that was all about, but thought it was very funny. So far, I haven’t had my worst stage experience yet. Touch wood!
5. What’s the best and worst advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?
The best advice given to me, was from my mama who always told us children to be nice to people and to stay strong doesn’t matter what!
The worst advice given to me was from an agent in Adelaide, who refused to register me, even look at my portfolio. She did not believe a black woman in Australia had a chance to make it in the arts. “Another black woman entering my office. What Am I going to do with your portfolio? We have our own Aboriginal people that we can’t find work for. The few black clients we have on files, are Basketballers and we can only offer them a minimal commercial work” Said the agent as I walked to her reception for a planned interview a t 1PM. It was nineteen years ago. I had been in Australia only for two weeks. When I returned to the car, where my family waited, I took a pen, and a huge envelope that had my portfolio pictures in, and wrote a poem called “Don’t worry about me” That poem has been performed everywhere on earth.
A few months after that, I started my own African dance drama academy in Adelaide. Today, I’ve written produced performed sixty solo stage plays, twelve poems and three dancetext productions and toured the globe. I’ve composed produced five music albums, written three books and counting. I’ve returned to the agency a few times, just to say hello and to thank them.
6. What are you most proud of and what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill?
I’m very proud of my children and family, and the relationship we have together. I’m proud of how they’ve turned out, and of their chosen career paths. I’m proud of my own achievements as a person, mother and as an artist. I’m neither famous nor am I stinky rich, but I hope that my stories, music and personality would someday, change someone’s life for the better.
My future goals and dreams have no limits. At the moment I’m finishing off my autobiography “Under The Red Jacaranda” ready to sent off to publishers when it happens.
I’m also in the process of writing a screenplay and film music, and hopping to find producers. During Christmas time last year, I sat down and wrote a children’s play called “Water Magic2″. It’ll tour schools in South Australia in term four 2009. For few years now, I ‘ve been taking my new works to South Australian schools, as part of the Book Week month and this year is no exception.
I hope to be able to continue writing and performing for both stage and the screen. I love music and poetry so I hope to continue making albums as well. For more information check out my website.
7. Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why? And what culinary dish would you prepare?
I’d love to have Kerry Anne Kennelly, Barack Obama and Ellen De Generes to dinner. I believe we’d have a very good, constructive and conductive conversation, filled with humour, laughter, energy and heart. I’d invite us for an international banquet dinner.
8. What is the best book or books you have read and why?
I do not get time to read books, as much as I’d love to, but I really enjoy reading biographical, historical and geographical books. I enjoyed reading Nelson Mandela’s life. I also enjoy my own books. I don’t know why, but I think perhaps it’s because they are about true life stories of people that I know, love and respect very much.
9. Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself?
I don’t really have so much unknown about me. What you see is pretty much what you get. What I think may not be known about me would be:
I’m very romantic and passionate. When I love someone, and everything is really great, I go very deep. I believe in love. People say I’m a workaholic. I agree! I really dislike arguments and unnecessary misunderstandings. I love huge crowds to perform to, but love one and one company when relaxing. I also prefer hosting and entertaining in my home to going out. I’m terribly allergic to cigarettes, smoke and fur animals.
10. If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?
It’d be to bury the existence of fear, ignorance, greed, disrespect and selfishness under a flat stone. I believe that would make the world a better place to for all creatures to live.
Tags: 2009 Adelaide Fringe, African dance drama academy Adelaide, Ndito the Masai Girl, Sheela Langeberg