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Petro Janse van Vuuren
Dr Petro Janse van Vuuren has been intrigued by the power of drama throughout her life. This culminated in her doctoral thesis where she developed a process using dramatic characterization in improvised drama as a means for reflecting on personal values (Click here to download her thesis). She is continuing this research as a post doctoral fellow to develop a training programme for teachers to use the methods of theatre making, story telling and improvisation to teach values.
Petro received her PhD from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Pietermaritzburg) under Prof Hazel Barnes. She also has two Honnours degrees (both Cum Laude). The first in Drama Studies also from KwaZulu-Natal, and the second in Philosophy from the University of Stellenbosch with a special focus on Ethics. She is a firm believer in applied research. She developed her process over the last 13 years where she has worked with people of all ages as extra curricular drama teacher and in participatory theatre projects, theatre and drama for development workshops and educational interventions.
For her doctoral research she worked with the Hexagon Youth theatre group Y2Kids. She also used her process with a youth production called Speaking Spaces, which she co-directed with Juanita Balkisson. This play traveled to the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. Recently she has adapted and used her methods in a workshop series with the HR Department of British American Tobacco South Africa. She has also presented a number of conference papers and has published articles exploring drama, education and research practice.
While studying in Pietermaritzburg she took an active part in theatre productions as actor and director. Notably she was part of a group that workshopped a play, Look Out, with the acclaimed Greig Coetzee. Subsequently she co-directed this play with Hazel Barnes as the University production for the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. Petro played leading roles in productions such as Godspell and Our Country's Good and Cloud Nine. She was also active in children's theatre and in a number of Theatre-in-Education productions.
Petro says that what fascinates her more than drama is how people learn from experience, and how dramatic experiences can be more real than life.
In the safety of a story and protected by a role, you can try anything, be anyone and make your dreams come true.
Petro Janse van Vuuren (PhD)
Experiential learning facilitator, ethics and values expert
Email: Petro@playingmantis.net
Cell: 082 828 2259
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Why work with Petro - What people say
Dr Jeanette de Klerk - Office for Moral Leadership, University of Stellenbosch
Your unique way with stories and characters opened a fresh perspective on my own character and story. I was moved by the way in which the stories brought the participants straight to the heart of their search for meaning.
Rian Truter - Uitvoerende Bestuurder, Kids Development Agency
Petro se aanbieding spreek van professionaliteit, passie en ervaring. Die inhoud is uitkomsgebasseerd en voeg besliste waarde toe. Sy kry dit reg om haar gehoor te boei en mee te voer.
Burgert Kirsten - Partner, Playing Mantis
Petro is a briliant facilitator of learning experiences. She has the ability to make people feal relaxed and comfortable while keeping them engaged with the task at hand. Her passion and presence enspires and motivates the people she work with. The processes that she developed is like nothing I have ever experienced in any other personal development workshops. It connects one with your core/heart - that place you know is the true you.