Jeppestown-based actor Ayanda Sibisi believes acting is her calling.
“Drama was always my first choice. I applied at different places and the drama department at the Durban University of Technology was the first to answer and called me in for an audition.
“I auditioned by presenting a monologue of Madea from Diary of a Mad Black Woman, which I had to rehearse, play, pause and write down. I sang Letta Mbulu’s Jikijela and it paid off.
“I went through to the second round, received a letter of acceptance and have never looked back,” said Ayanda.
Born and raised in Durban, Ayanda came to Joburg to pursue her dream of acting.
She graduated in 2010 with a national diploma in drama studies and was ready to make her mark in the industry.
She has starred in various musicals such as Cinderella, Beauty and Beast, Library Lion in isiZulu and recently, Fantasy of Lights.
In 2013 she performed as a principal vocalist in The Lion King, in Hong Kong.
“I’m doing what I love and am learning a lot along the way. Giving myself away as a performer to be used in whatever form or shape the director desires, fascinates me.
“I love seeing satisfied audiences. It’s not about us as performers – we are the medium of communication so we strive to communicate whatever message we are sent at that particular moment in time,” said Ayanda.
“Women like Pamela Nomvete, who played Ntsiki in Generations inspired me as well as Daphne Hlomuka, who played Sis May in Sdumo’s Sgudi Snayisi. These women are living their dreams and inspiring other women in the arts,” said Ayanda.
She just recently finished performing in Cape Town at the Baxter Theatre, with Sibikwa Arts Centre in a riveting theatre piece which won a Standard Bank Ovation Award during its debut in Grahamstown in 2016 called Chapter 2 Section 9.
She was nominated for Durban Theatre’s Newcomer Award in A Musical for Beauty and the Beast as Madame DeLa Grande Bouche.
She has been in various TV productions.
This festive season she will be part of Shrek the Musical Junior showing at the People’s Theatre. Ayanda will be playing the dragon on heat chasing after Donkey.
