CREATIVE TEAM

Saranya Devan – Director / Playwright / Choreographer

Saranya Devan, born and raised in Durban, is a versatile performer, choreographer, director, and educator working across dance and drama. She holds a Master’s in Bharatanatyam from the University of Madras and a Master’s in Dance from the University of Cape Town, and has trained under renowned gurus including Adyar K. Lakshmanan and Priya Murle in Chennai.

Her work spans solo and ensemble performance, as well as directing and devising theatre productions. Passionate about storytelling that transcends boundaries, she seeks out new voices and innovative approaches to performance, using her practice to engage diverse audiences and foster meaningful dialogue.

Saranya is a guest lecturer in Theatre and Dance at UCT's Centre For Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies and serves as Research Lecturer for PGCE Dance and Drama at the School of Education. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Dance, exploring the placement of Bharatanatyam within multicultural South Africa. She is the founder and director of Sharana Performing Arts.

Aasim Ellis – Stage Manager

Aasim Ellis is an actor, performance-maker, and researcher in Theatre & Performance Studies. His recent credits include REAXENIA, which had its Johannesburg premiere following a successful Cape Town run in 2026. His international experience includes a collaborative production at ENSATT in Lyon, France, in partnership with CNSMD Lyon and the South African College of Music.

He has also worked at the Maynardville Open-Air Theatre (2025) and Suidoosterfees (2026). Aasim integrates a performer’s intuition with strong technical stage management skills, making him a versatile and valuable member of any creative team.

SARI SIR CAST

Daniel Melvin Boucher

Boucher is a performer, musician, and creative currently in his third year of a BA in Theatre and Performance at the University of Cape Town. Originally from East London, he has been involved in theatre from a young age, performing in works such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Missing, Les Misérables, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Guided by his faith, he aims to create work that reflects truth, hope, and humanity.

Weso Oratilwe Mogashoa

Born and raised in Pretoria, Weso is a dedicated dancer with 15 years of experience. She is currently an undergraduate at UCT (BA in Theatre, Dance & Performance) and trained in RAD ballet, contemporary, jazz, and African dance. Her work is rooted in discipline, creativity, and emotional authenticity, using movement as both personal exploration and storytelling.

Ben Marx

Ben Marx is a third-year Theatre and Performance Studies student at the University of Cape Town, specialising in Acting. With experience in film, television, commercials, and modelling, he is known for his strong physical presence, emotional intensity, and ability to portray psychologically complex characters. His interests include physical theatre, comedy, and screen performance.

Jordan Kenned

Jordan Kenned is a 20-year-old dance student at the University of Cape Town, originally from Paarl. With 15 years of training, he has primarily specialised in ballet and has recently expanded into Bharatanatyam. He aspires to become a professional dance performer, working across diverse movement traditions.

Jarred Maritz

Jarred Maritz, born and raised in George in the Western Cape, is a second-year Diploma in Dance student at UCT. Specialising in contemporary and jazz, he also draws on African dance, contemporary ballet, and Bharatanatyam. Initially self-taught, he began formal training in high school and has since developed his range through university performance opportunities.

Zoe Koeberg

Zoe Koeberg is a 19-year-old performer from Cape Town, currently pursuing a BA in Theatre and Performance, specialising in Dance. She began dancing at age 11, later competing in modern and hip hop, and earned South African colours in 2024, competing in the UK. She aims to create dance work that inspires change, raises awareness, and expands access to dance opportunities.

Chanté Vermeulen

Chanté Vermeulen is a performer, creator, and facilitator completing her Honours in Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Cape Town, majoring in Applied Dance and Psychology. Her work integrates voice and movement to create performances that challenge, educate, and inspire meaningful dialogue.

Luvuyo Gishi

Luvuyo is a performer, movement artist, and creative whose work is rooted in storytelling, expression, and human connection. A graduate of Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Cape Town. He has worked extensively with Moving Stories as a dancer, choreographer, and performer, specialising in contemporary ballet and African contemporary dance. Alongside performance, Luvuyo emains passionate about using the arts as a tool for expression, healing, and meaningful connection.