1. My name is…?
Napo Masheane
2. I work as…?
Artistic Director (AD)
3. I am..?
Theatre Maker: Producer/ Playwright/ Poet/ Performer & Director (true cultural activist and an all-round storyteller)
4. Tell us the difference between theatre and TV or even film?
Damnit – tricky question. How do I answer this fair v/s theoretically being correct.
* Theatre is an immediate dish tailor-made for once in a lifetime taste (you can’t download it… you must experience it live on your pallet)
* TV is a brought canvas… presented to one as buffeted of stories-menu. You have a freedom to taste, spit and eat as per your liking (almost like choice assorted menu).
* Film is a tight frame of artistic excellence on a particular menu table… there you find well-cooked rounded story-architecture.
5. What traits keep you successful in your industry?
Mmmmm! My art form is a calling… and a blueprint. So, these gifts… talents… and levels of creativity are choosing me and keep choosing every fibre of my core. And of course, that with layers of hard work, dedication, passion, and unmeasurable drive turns every piece of my art into a successful masterpiece.
6. How do you describe your directorial style…?
– I am a split between a poet and a playwright… and as it may be every creative-artists-storyteller has their own artistic voice, approach, and treatment; overall signature that make them stand out in the world through theatrics/poetics or narratives that are intertwined with the work they share with the world. So, constantly, I have found myself, breaking theatre language rules (disobeying them), using multiple tongues as inspired by the actual format of the play/poem (choreopoem)…. Sometimes I follow the tone, pace and language spoken from page-to-stage as driven by the world setting, and character bibles that are cemented within the storyline… and the artistic choices that (I) also as the playwright/poet/ direct make. Holistically all my choreopoems are a reference of how I am part of a collective of storytellers, griots, orators, poets, singers, dancers, royal bards, performers, and theatre makers, who equally spear-head folk epics: theatrics, poetics, and narratives such as folklore, fairytales, and fables, including traditional games, proverbs, and riddles from page-to-stage. (flip I hope I make sense). But ultimately in my work and writings I make English breathing through the poetic grace of Sesotho my mother-tongue.
7. Is the answer no to an artist the worst that could happen? How do you keep young artist motivated to keep going?
– Often a no is a straight and simple NO! But that on its own hold many meanings… like a no can mean:” not yet “,” not now “,” not the right one “…” not too close or far“… ”not correct“… “not it” etc. I have received so many NOs in my life that I lost count. It can be discouraging, especially when you are young and did your best. But sometimes you are not what” they “want or looking for… and that should not define you air-born talents and gifts… by all means. So, for me, every NO! gave me a sense of doing and exploring different artistic dimensional, which allowed me to be not just a poet or playwright or actress. Those Nos taught me to use all my artistic expertise and see myself as a multidisciplinary creative. (Mmmmm! I hope I make sense 
).
8. Is South African community conservative? Do artist have a voice to challenge the status?
I think South Africa has a balance of both. Like most writers/ storytellers base their voices on their surroundings and experiences. They write about what they see, hear, feel, know, want, need, and seek. For instance, if I come from a conservative background, I will be a weary writer too boxed within a particular culture or tradition or historic expectations. While if I come from a robust setting, I will be a kind of a Playriot (which is how I view myself) and write about something or anything that provokes me unfiltered. So, nna often I write so that I can dream myself out of my own nightmare as a black body.
9. growth or comfort?
*Mmmmm! (Brilliant question). I would say GROWTH.
10. What colours are you wearing on Soweto derby day?
– ha! aha! Maan… I am not a soccer person at all.
11. Career, space for yourself, and love, how are you navigate…?
– Mmmmm! BALANCE is the magic word. My career is key to my own growth, dreams, and aspirations. I also value a lot of “me-time” … and find it through movie-binging, traveling, going out, and exploring the world by myself. In terms of love I am in a long-distance relationship… so communication is important, plus making efforts to work around” TIME “. So, that with a mutual respect and an understanding that we are career people, parents, and human beings with other lives allows one to grow and find balance.
12. What’s on your play list now and why?
– Oho! Wao! I have my own remix of soul ballads and Afro-Jazz. But the last 24 hours has been me listening to Thandiswa Mazwai – SANKOFA, Simphiwe Dana – BAMAKO, Bongeziwe Mabandla – UMLILO… and just found an old friend – Faca Kulu’s album… UHAMBO. Faca Kulu was part of Sarafina and the first Lion King in New York and had the pleasure of working with him there (years back). So, while I am working on some new material for 2025… Kulu and my other peers ground me to find this new world I am about to create.
13. What are you working on now and where can we catch it .?
– I am working on Thaba Bosiu – The Musical, tshomo— a choreopoem embedded on a series of poetic monologues, accompanied by re-imagined dance moves and musical sounds, which are inspired by innuendos of Sesotho story forms, rhythms, and styles. The choreopoem effortlessly weaves traditional Basotho games [dipapadi], songs [dipina], dance [motjeko], riddles [dilotho], proverbs [maele] and musical vocals as interlaced within praise poems [dithoko], clan names [doboko] and the rhythmic dialogue [puo] in telling this story [tshomo]. The play also in celebration of 200 years of the Basotho nationhood (bicentennial) will be at the National Arts Festival (NAF) 24- 26 June 2024 and then the South African State Theatre (SAST) between 26 July – 11 August 2024.
14. When we visit you any house rules…?
– ha! ha! ha! I like hosting… and there is a vibe when I am with my tribe-of-friends. But the basic rule is respect-respect-respect! my space!
15. Favourite must have winter food/recipe/clothing?
-Mogodu/ samp/ chicken feet/ soup/ dumpling… veggies (just lots of soul food) Oho! And I am cook 
myself.
16. Gym or outdoors…?
-Outdoors please 
17. Home cooking or restaurant?
-Home cooked meals but occasionally it’s good to explore what is out there.
18. Best exercise?
-Being in the rehearsals room and on stage directing.
19. Favourite Fruit and Veg?
-Both.
20. Cat or dog. Or non?
Most definitely a dog… currently I have a dog – Mr Coco
and he is adorable 
