Quintin Wils – Pretoria’s local Theatre personality

Posted in Arts & Culture | Lifestyle | Local Personalities | Theatres and Theatre Productions

Multi award winning theatre maker, director and producer, Quintin Wils.

Quintin Wils is not only a multi award winning, but he can also be classified as one of South Africa’s top theatre maker, director and producer’s. AND to top it all off, we are proud to introduce him as a local citizen from Pretoria!

Quintin (25) graduated from the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) with an Honours Degree in Drama. Not even 2 years into the industry and Wils has been named as one of SA Theatre Magazine’s Top 5 Theatre Maker to look out for in 2016. He has a list of outstanding accomplishments that includes the directing of 13 professional productions, he won 4 awards and has been nominated for a further 11 awards which includes three Naledi Theatre Awards.

Wils was also named as one of the ‘Rising Stars’ of the 2014 National Arts Festival, twice nominated for the ImpACT Award for Theatre as well as named as one of Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South African’s. Wils is currently the Artistic Director of VNA Productions and has also been appointed as the Theatre Manager of the newly found Eldo Little Theatre.

We at ShowMe Pretoria got the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have a quick word with him about his life, education and what we can expect of him in the future. Here is what he had to say, and believe me, it’s a definite MUST read…

1. Who is Quintin Wils?

Quintin is a young theatre maker who is passionate about contstantly creating theatre work that pushes the boundaries of South African theatre.

2. Tell us a little more about your educational background and how has it has benefitted your career.

After winning a bursary at the Tshwane Play Festival in my matric year, I studied Drama at the Tshwane University of Technology and also completed my Speech and Drama Licenciate at the SA Drama Guild. To be honest, I sometimes feel that I have learned a lot more through all the practical experiences I’ve had rather than studying something from a book. I think that, especially in the field of Theatre, that practical experience sometimes helps a lot more.

3. Where did your passion for theatre start?

My passion for Theatre started more or less when I was in Grade 7 during our school production, but my love for Directing started in Grade 10 when I directed my first play at Hoerskool Eldoraigne.

4. Can you explain what is it that you exactly do on a daily basis?

It changes from the one day to the next. I have been appointed as the Theatre Manager for the newly found Eldo Little Theatre, so I am currently working in the mornings there to get the Theatre up and running and ready for the launch in April. In the afternoons I am currently busy rehearsing a play, Porslelein, for the South African State Theatre.

5. If you had to describe your personal directing and writing style, would you say that you have a unique trademark that you reflect in your work?

I didn’t try to have a specific style of directing, but I have been told by many people and critics that my work is ‘innovative’, ‘cutting-edge’, ‘immersive’, ‘abstract’ and ‘mind-blowing’. So I would probably have to say that these for terms regurarly come through in my work.

6. What piece of work would you consider to be the most successful til date.

Wow. Difficult question! I think there’s so many! Haha! I would have to say that some of the standouts would have to be ‘aLEXA – A Mobile Thriller’ as it has won a couple of awards and has been performed over 70 times now. ‘Smaarties’ and ‘Suster’ as it has won a couple of awards. And ‘Walking Tall’ as it has traveled to 4 other countries and has been seen by around 1,2 million people.

7. Do you have any current pieces that you are working on, and what can we be on the lookout for within the next year?

I am currently working on a production called ‘Porselein’ for the South African State Theatre showing end of March. My productions of ‘Suster’ and ‘aLEXA – A Mobile Thriller’ will still be traveling and touring the rest of the country. I will also be directing the next chapter in the Mobile Thriller series, ‘bRENT – A Mobile Thriller’, which is sure to raise some eyebrows. There is also another production scheduled for the end of the year, but I am not allowed to disclose any info around that yet – but ShowMe Pretoria readers will be the first to know! Haha! ;)

8. What factors should prospective students consider when choosing a profession of this nature?

They should definitely first of all know that it is extremly hard work and that it is going to feel very lonely most of the times. Also know that there is not a lot if funding and that you will have to create your own work and keep on keeping on! #StayPositive

9. Before you entered this industry, what advise do you wish you had known and would like to give to future students?

I would have liked to know that you can not trust every single person you meet. A lot of the times you will meet people who would only like to work with you for their own benefit and trying to get themselves ahead of you and taking credit for the work that you have done. Ignnore them as your work will always speak for itself and put your name ahead of you, without you even knowing about it! :)

10. What can we expect from you in the future?

I think you can expect a lot of firsts in South African Theatre. One of them is already luring on the horisen…! ;)