#CareerFocus With Kutloano Headbush, Actress and Filmmaker

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1. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am an actor, writer, dancer, and filmmaker from Johannesburg, South Africa. I started acting when I was 12 and joined a drama club. In high school I started taking my acting in theatre career more seriously, taking up almost every opportunity to get on a stage and perform. I then attended the University of Cape Town and completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Dramatic Arts. During my time in Cape Town, my interest in film and television began to peak.

I returned to Johannesburg in 2019 to complete my postgraduate BA Honours degree in Movement, Theatre, and Performance at the University of the Witwatersrand. My time in Johannesburg came with opportunities to work with and learn from many talented performers, choreographers, and theatremakers.

Then, I moved to Los Angeles in 2021 to pursue my Masters of Fine Arts in Acting for Film at the New York Film Academy, where I graduated summa cum laude. Since moving to Los Angeles, I have been fortunate enough to work on multiple film and theater productions, growing alongside talented creatives and developing impactful stories

2. What work do you do?

I am a storyteller, first and foremost, with a passion for the dramatic arts. I first started in theatre, working mostly in physical theatre and devised work. I then branched into film and television, focusing mainly on acting, screenwriting, and filmmaking.

3. How long have you been in the industry?

I have been in the entertainment industry for 15 years, beginning in acrobatic dance before branching into theatre, physical theatre, film, and television.

4. Has your work always been your passion? Tell us why.

I have always been amazed at how moved people can be by a story. Stories are powerful tools, used to pass down memories, build community, share folklore, build culture, teach morals, and sell products or services among others. Storytelling has been used to fight injustices and advocate for those who need to have their voices heard.

I’ve always been drawn to the positive impact stories have made on the things that I feel strongly about. One of my favourite parts of watching a play is observing people’s thoughts and feelings during discussions before and after production – I’ve observed perspectives change, worldviews widen, and action being inspired through storytelling. Historically, stories have always been used when working toward great change.

I’m convinced stories can help create the change I’d like to see in the world, and I am committed to using my work to make my contribution to that, whether that change is as simple as lifting spirits, or as complex as advocating for a cause.

5. Being a woman in the industry – what does it take?

It takes courage and audacity. The courage to commit to your goals in the industry in the face of rejection, massive competition, and gender biases. Understanding the difficulties and challenges you may face is important; working in an industry where less than 25% of directors, producers, executive producers, and writers in 2023’s top 100 films were women. However, being a woman in the entertainment industry requires the audacity to believe you are an anomaly. No one has your voice or your eye to see things the way you do, or to tell a story the way you can.

6. What has been the most difficult challenge of your career?

One of the difficult challenges I’ve come across in my career has been navigating through the ups and downs of this industry. The entertainment industry is not as stable as I’m sure many of us in it would like it to be.

For instance, last year, in 2023, SAG-AFTRA, the actors union in the United States, ended a 118-day strike for better pay, working conditions, and protection against AI advances among other things. During this strike actors were not working. Around the same time the Writer’s Guild of America (WAG), was also striking for similar reasons to SAG-AFTRA for 148 days.

Writers were also not working during this time. In many respects, the industry was ‘closed’ for the greater part of 2023. This was all while the industry was still recovering from the impact of the pandemic. Now, in 2024, The industry is still working to get back where it used to be, with about a 17% decrease in employment in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles since the strike.

However, this exacting season has taught me to roll with the punches and to create my opportunities. Adapting to the industry’s changing times has helped develop my tenacity and resilience, something I’ve noticed in my friends and colleagues in the industry as well. Having a network of people to lean on for support and encouragement has made all the difference in these challenges.

7. What advice do you have for other women in your industry?

Some of the best advice I heard when I was feeling doubtful of the impact I could make in my industry was from Miss Universe 2019, Zozibini Tunzi. She said, “Take up space”. Being reminded not to shrink myself in rooms where that may even be what’s expected of me, has helped me combat self-consciousness and self-doubt.

This industry is very competitive, believing in your talents and hard work can be a challenge at times, especially when you’re not seeing the fruit of your labour as immediately or directly as you may like. However, oftentimes, you won’t see a blessing coming, so keep auditioning, posting, pitching, auditioning, and creating.

8. Plans for the future?

I plan to keep creating and contributing to this wonderful and ever-changing industry. I aim to tell stories that hopefully inspire positive social and cultural change, sharing narratives that make people feel heard and seen.

Biography

Storyteller Kutloano Headbush was raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her academic background bears witness to her dedication to her craft: she holds a Master of Fine Art in Acting for Film, a Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Arts and Psychology, and a Bachelor of Honors in Movement and Theatre and Performance.

Beginning her career in theatre, Kutloano participated in several shows, including Herstory Museum at The Wits Theatre and Anatarabhua at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town. Kutloano is a gifted dancer who has participated in the Global Water Dances International Festival, choreographed dances for Unmute Dance Company, and performed by herself.

To support victims of gender-based violence, Kutloano created and produced “Lapeng,” a film in which she co-starred with Clementine Mosimane. Kutloano is dedicated to using her work to encourage constructive social change. In Jordan Qin’s short film, The Missing Middle, Kutloano Headbush played the lead role most recently.

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