Franka Kirby is one of Suidoosterfees’s NATi Rising Stars. Her play In her your our shoes was stage-read by Tamia Thompson, Deborah-Keir Paulsen, Crystal-Donna Roberts and Stephanie O’ Keffe on Friday, 18 October, at the Artscape Theatre complex. It was directed by Bianca Flanders. Izak de Vries spoke to her shortly before the big moment.
Franka, the title is a tongue twister. In her your our shoes is about a young woman who has to make a big leap into the unknown. What else would you like to reveal?
Fashion is universal; it is self-expression. And whether you’re into fashion or not, you’re a reflection of a masterpiece each time you step out of the door. In her your our shoes is about relatability and seeing oneself in another.
You have leaped into the unknown with this play. How did you get involved with NATi Rising Stars?
It definitely was a leap. A colleague, with whom I’d previously worked in a theatre show, sent me the call for the residency. I ignored the message for a few days, thinking she just wanted me to take note, as she often sends/talks about opportunities in the industry. However, for some reason, I came back to this one. I told myself I’d try, because I had a piece that needed development, and I had myself and sought mentorship as a young writer.
Would you recommend the NATi programme to others who dream of having their plays staged? Why do you say so?
Yes, 100%, I can’t thank the leaders of the NATi programme enough for this opportunity they have presented to us. When you finish, you’ll have learned something. What that is, depends on what you seek when you begin and your reflection afterwards. Of course, for most of us it is to stage plays and write more. The programme offers us a space to learn how to do that for this play and for the future, because of the skill/understanding/internal growth we gain from focusing on our scripts and the important variables around them.
Tamia Thompson, Deborah-Keir Paulsen, Crystal-Donna Roberts and Stephanie O’ Keffe have now worked with your text. How does it feel to see your words come to life?
It’s heart-warming and affirming and is bigger than me. I overflow with gratitude.
Bianca Flanders is your director. As an author, what have you learned from her?
It’s a full circle moment for me. Months ago, Bianca read some of her book Pumpkin finds her queen to us, and I teared up (a lot). The little girl in me felt seen, and the writer in me knew that I had to get my pen to paper. The story felt warm and wholesome, and that is what I hope to convey around the challenges my characters face – life can be good and wholesome, once we truly see one another. I learned that writing is a lifelong relationship, one I’ve accepted. I can only get better if I love the words, the story and the people, and if I am willing to come back and edit, write and edit some more.
See also:
’n Onderhoud met Nelandi Boshoff, een van Suidoosterfees se NATi Jong Sterre
’n Onderhoud met Mikyall Harris, een van Suidoosterfees se NATi Jong Sterre
’n Onderhoud met Diano October, een van Suidoosterfees se NATi Jong Sterre