Debs

Biography: Debbie Lutge Debbie Lutge currently a Senior Lecturer in the Drama Studies Programme: Department of Television, Drama and Production Studies served as HOD of the Drama Studies Department from 2001 – 2007. The Department of Drama Studies at the Durban University of Technology under her leadership was acknowledged as “… forward thinking …” (The Mercury) and as: “… among the most visionary, effective, industrious and productive drama departments in the country. They work their students hard – pushing them way beyond their comfort zone - and get great results. They choose productions which are seldom staged at a tertiary level and in so doing get unexpected performances … the young actors rise to the challenge. At no point do they patronise their students by offering them safe options – so their work gets more interesting with every production. DUT should be proud of what happens in the unassuming Courtyard Theatre with incredible regularity…. [S]tudents at DUT have staged two major productions, both comedies, in one month - literally within weeks of opening for the new academic year, which is an astonishing feat!“ www.artsmart.co.za (Drama Archives, Rev. of Cloud Nine: article first published : 2007-03-23). Debbie Lutge as theatre practitioner has worn many caps including: published academic, poet, and playwright; a dancer, stage combat director and choreographer; professional acting coach, award winning performer and director, a regional professional theatre judge for her 9th year, serving first as an FNB Vita Awards Regional Judge in KwaZulu Natal until the demise of this forum and currently as a Mercury Durban Theatre Awards Judge. Her directing credits are numerous and cross genres in a diverse mix of works from her highly lauded production of the Broadway musical The King and I to an acclaimed rendition of Maria Fornes’ Conduct of Life adapted as simultaneous dialogue for a double-cast reflecting pre- and post-independent conditions, or her highly praised and uniquely picturesque musical version of Fay and Michael Kanin’s Rashomon, where a workshop forum led to an underpinning musical score that enhanced mood and atmosphere. Debbie was the first South African director to stage many works including: West-Side Story; A Dance of the Forests; People of Heaven, Hamlet Deconstructed, etc. Debbie began her career as a child model turned dancer and actress. She worked in the theatrical industry as writer, performer and director both in South Africa and in the United States of America. Debbie’s initial passion for performance changed direction as her focus turned to her work as playwright, poet and director. Debbie Lutge has a BA and BA (Hons) from the University of Natal, Durban as well as an MA & MFA (Suma Cum Laude) in Theatre Studies from Kent State University in the United States of America. At Kent State University she was awarded the “Performer of the Year Trophy” in 1996 as well as the “Graduate Student Senate Creativity Award” and the Coach-House Theatre Award for performance excellence. Another highlight of her sojourn to America was working as an Intercultural Educational Contributor on School Notes on The Dybbuk staged at The Great Lakes Theatre Complex, performances at The Cleveland Playhouse, and working under New York equity director Lenny Pinna on The Serpent, mounted to commemorate 25 years since the Kent State Shootings. Additionally she was certified in stage combat in rapier and dagger, quarterstaff, and hand-to-hand stage combat with the American Society for Fight Directors in 1996. After teaching for three years at Kent State University Debbie returned to the Durban University of Technology to resume her place as a South African educator. Later Debbie Lutge founded The Research in Theatre Education (R.I.T.E.) Company as a means to encourage the entrepreneurial artistic spirit of young South African artists entering the professional arena. Further she currently serves as Director in two section 21 companies RITE Studios and The Twist Company (a Dutch/South African Initiative).