BTS Cast & Crew Q&A - MOYA by Zip Zap Circus
Posted on October 2, 2024
Meet the talented cast and crew of MOYA by Zip Zap Circus! Learn what excites them most about the show, their backgrounds, and how they began their journeys with Zip Zap Circus.
BRIDGETTE BERNING
Q. In what town did you grow up? Stellenbosch.
Q. In what town do you currently live? Stellenbosch.
Q. Where did/do you attend school? Stellenbosch Waldorf School, and Zip Zap Circus.
Q. Do you have a favorite memory from the first time you attended a circus? I do not actually remember the first circus show I saw, but we had a box set of Cirque du Soleil DVDs that I used to watch on repeat as a kid.
Q. What do you hope for CTC audiences to learn about South Africa through the performance? I hope that from the story of the show, they can get a feel for the resilience of all South African Youth!
Q. What are you most excited to experience in Minnesota? I’m just excited to be in a new country, and to hopefully find some cool places to train aerial while we’re there!
Q. What are you most excited for Minnesotan audiences to experience while watching this production? I’m most excited for them to see our group pieces, which really display everyone’s different skills and characters, while at the same time showing our ability to all work together as a team!
Q. What activities and restaurants do you recommend to someone who is visiting Cape Town? I would definitely recommend spending some time running or hiking in the mountains and going for swims in the sea! In terms of restaurants, I would recommend taking your pick from the food stands on the promenade and enjoying the sunset over the ocean!
Q. What is your favorite aspect of MOYA? I love the group dances and acrobatic pieces the most!
Q. How did you begin performing with Zip Zap Circus? I joined their Dare to Dream program in August 2020.
Q. What is your favorite place that you’ve traveled with the show? Mauritius
Jason Barnard
Q. In what town did you grow up? I grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, in a suburb called Brooklyn.
Q. In what town do you currently live? I currently live in Cape Town, in a suburb called Green Point.
Q. Do you have a favorite memory from the first time you attended a circus? My favorite memory of attending a circus for the first time was watching the trampoline act from the Moscow Circus. I was about 9 or 10 years old, and I never saw people spin so much or jump so high in my life.
Q. What do you hope for CTC audiences to learn about South Africa through the performance? I hope for the CTC audiences to learn about the coming together of different cultures, different colors, and just different people.
Q. What are you most excited to experience in Minnesota? It will be my first time in Minnesota, but I have done some research. The land of 10,000 lakes sounds like heaven. Because I love fishing. It will also be cool to check out some ice hockey action.
Q. What are you most excited for Minnesotan audiences to experience while watching this production? I hope our show takes them on an emotional journey, while enjoying the storyline of real-life experiences through the arts of circus.
Q. What activities and restaurants do you recommend to someone who is visiting Cape Town? If any of the Minnesotan people are thinking of visiting Cape Town, I suggest visiting Table Mountain (you can hike up and down or use the cable car). Enjoy the sunrise and sunset on Signal Hill. We also have an amazing Red Tour Bus that takes you through most of Cape Town. There is a vast variety of food influenced by all the different cultures and people in S.A., so please enjoy!
Q. What is your favorite aspect of MOYA? My favorite aspect of MOYA is being able to tell the story of success and the process leading up to it.
Q. How did you begin performing with Zip Zap Circus? My grandfather was a flying trapeze artist, and I think the seed was planted in me to pursue in his footsteps. I joined ZZ at the age of 8, left at the age of 13, and rejoined at the age of 19. I am 30 years old, and still performing for ZZ.
Q. What is your favorite place that you’ve traveled with the show? My favorite place is Mauritius, but it might change to Minnesota.
Matthew Risk
Q. In what town did you grow up? The town I grew up in was Cape Town.
Q. In what town do you currently live? I live in the central suburbs of Cape Town.
Q. Where did/do you attend school? I attended the Ambleside School of Cape Town.
Q. Do you have a favorite memory from the first time you attended a circus? Even though I was the youngest in the mini trampoline act, being selected to perform at the age of 10 is my favorite memory from the early days of joining ZZ.
Q. What do you hope for CTC audiences to learn about South Africa through the performance? I want the audience to learn that different types of people can unite through similar passions.
Q. What are you most excited to experience in Minnesota? Experiencing a foreign country is exciting enough as is for me.
Q. What are you most excited for Minnesotan audiences to experience while watching this production? I am excited for the Minnesotan audiences to experience the joy and jaw-dropping acts we perform whilst performing a heartwarming story.
Q. What activities and restaurants do you recommend to someone who is visiting Cape Town? For any foreign people who want to visit Cape Town, I recommend going to the amazing beaches we have and viewing the sunsets.
Q. What is your favorite aspect of MOYA? Being able to present and perform a powerful and uniting story is my favorite aspect of the MOYA show.
Q. How did you begin performing with Zip Zap Circus? I began performing for ZZ at the age of 10 in the Simunye program.
Q. What is your favorite place that you’ve traveled with the show? My favorite place that I have travelled to with the MOYA show is Mauritius.
Lukhanyo Samson
Q. In what town did you grow up? I grew up in a Township called Khayelitsha, which is where my home is. This Township is 1 hour and 15 minutes away from Cape Town using a bus, and that’s where Zip Zap is located.
Q. In what town do you currently live? I am currently at Zip Zap Academy, which has a resident that their students use.
Q. Where did/do you attend school? I attended school in Nkazimlo Primary School, and then Harry Gwala Senior Secondary School, which are based in Khayelitsha close to where I live.
Q. Do you have a favorite memory from the first time you attended a circus? My favorite memory was seeing all these young people doing mad flips. I got inspired by that; if that person can do it, I can do it too.
Q. What do you hope for CTC audiences to learn about South Africa through the performance? The energy that all these young people bring on the stage—pure love in what they do. The joy on their faces brings light to your hearts, because we love what we do and we bring something different live on stage.
Q. What are you most excited to experience in Minnesota? To be honest, I like surprises. I want to experience it when I get to Minnesota.
Q. What are you most excited for Minnesotan audiences to experience while watching this production? The way we enjoy performing is basically teamwork because we trust each other. That’s why flips, throws, and lastly South African dance are going to be involved in the shows.
Q. What activities and restaurants do you recommend to someone who is visiting Cape Town? We have the ocean in Cape Town, and a place to eat is waterfront restaurants; that’s where most people from overseas go. Cape Town is where you can go for a holiday with your family and friends.
Q. What is your favorite aspect of MOYA? Its teamwork. The way we work is different. That is why I enjoy being in MOYA.
Q. How did you begin performing with Zip Zap Circus? I started performing for the free program that Zip Zap provides for the community, so that the kids can be inspired by the circus, and kids can be motivated by what they see.
Q. What is your favorite place that you’ve traveled with the show? When I went to Paris in 2022. That was my first favorite tour.
Q. Any other cool facts, tidbits, individualisms, etc. about you that you’d like to share? I’m not big-headed. Yes, I can dance, but I still feel like I need to learn more from people that I get to meet throughout the world. Travelling and learning other cultures dance moves, and more. I am an artist; that way, I feel.
Masizakhe Kovi
Q. In what town did you grow up? I was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa.
Q. In what town do you currently live? I’m currently in Cape Town, South Africa
Q. Where did/do you attend school? I’ve attended my school in Cape Town.
Q. Do you have a favorite memory from the first time you attended a circus? I remember the first time I attended circus. I had to learn lots of things like juggling and playing fun games with other kids. I was so happy that I had made new friends, and I had so much fun!! That memory will forever be in my heart.
Q. What do you hope for CTC audiences to learn about South Africa through the performance? Audiences will experience and learn about our South African vibe like our culture, dance and music. They’re really going to enjoy it.
Q. What are you most excited to experience in Minnesota? I’m so excited to experience different cultures and meet different people and just explore lakes, because Minnesota is famously known for having beautiful lakes and mountains. I’m very excited! 😉
Q. What are you most excited for Minnesotan audiences to experience while watching this production? I can’t wait for the audience to experience our S.A vibe: our culture, dance and music in the production. They’re going to love it!
Q. What activities and restaurants do you recommend to someone who is visiting Cape Town? I would recommend hiking on Table Mountain. Table Mountain is the most scenic landmark in South Africa, a flat-topped mountain overlooking Cape Town is the best! Cape Town is famously known for seafood, so the best place to visit is Mariners Wharf in Hout Bay.
Q. What is your favorite aspect of MOYA? My favorite aspect of MOYA is that we showcase our culture and heritage through our shows, and the vibe we share with audiences. And of course I love touring.
Q. How did you begin performing with Zip Zap Circus? My very first performance was on the 1st of December 2015, when we were celebrating WORLD AIDS DAY. Every 1st of December, Zip Zap makes a special show to Celebrate WORLD AIDS DAY. It was a wonderful experience. I was so happy, as it was my very first performance.
Q. What is your favorite place that you’ve traveled with the show?
Touring to Mauritius was the most exciting, as it was my very first international tour with the show. It’s my favorite so far.
Q. Any other cool facts, tidbits, individualisms, etc. about you that you’d like to share? I’m very bendy. When I show people tricks, they always say I don’t have bones!
Luqmaan Benjamin
Q. In what town did you grow up? The town I grew up in was Cape Town.
Q. In what town do you currently live? I live in Vredehoek.
Q. Where did/do you attend school? I attended Goodwood College.
Q. Do you have a favorite memory from the first time you attended a circus? One of my favorite memories, when I first attended the circus, was walking in on the first day and joining the warm-up with everyone. Thinking back now, it’s just really funny, because I’ve always thought that I was in fairly good physical condition. Reality kicked in fast. That being said, I’ve always loved new challenges. What makes it my favorite memory is me deciding from that day onward that it’s game on.
Q. What do you hope for CTC audiences to learn about South Africa through the performance? I know that they’ll learn the power of togetherness, but also how the impact of their individuality could have a great effect on others, and how it could be used to inspire and give hope.
Q. What are you most excited to experience in Minnesota? I’m just excited to be in a different place regardless of where it is. It’s the fact that I’ll be able to see different ways and cultures that excites me.
Q. What are you most excited for Minnesotan audiences to experience while watching this production? I’m excited to showcase my ability, working with my team to give an exceptional show, and leaving the audience with a classic “that was a good show” feeling when they’re leaving the theatre after.
Q. What activities and restaurants do you recommend to someone who is visiting Cape Town? If you’re visiting Cape Town there are two things I would say are a must: 1) Eat at Gatsby, and 2) Go for a hike on Table Mountain. I know we’re going from fast food to fitness, but we make it work somehow.
Q. What is your favorite aspect of MOYA? My favorite aspect of MOYA is being able to experience and be part of the different cultures we enact in the show.
Q. How did you begin performing with Zip Zap Circus? Walking in the city, I came across people doing flips and acts in a business square. I was very intrigued and interested, as I already had an acrobatic background. I introduced myself, and since then I’ve built myself up until now, with the help of the team.
Q. What is your favorite place that you’ve traveled with the show? Mauritius.
Q. Any other cool facts, tidbits, individualisms, etc. about you that you’d like to share? I’m very open to learning, sharing, and networking.
Phelelani Ndakrokra
Q. In what town did you grow up? I was born and raised in Cape Town South Africa.
Q. In what town do you currently live? I still live in Cape Town.
Q. Where did/do you attend school? I attended a school primary in Eastern Cape called Mbhulelo Primary School. After that, I went to the best college in Woodstock.
Q. Do you have a favorite memory from the first time you attended a circus? The best memory for me is when I first walked in through the Zip Zap dome and saw all the kids jumping around: the mini trampoline, the big trampoline, the juggling club, riding unicycles, kids standing on top of others…mine was an amazing view.
Q. What do you hope for CTC audiences to learn about South Africa through the performance? My hope for the CTC audience is to have a blast. I also hope that we will leave them wanting more, and also hope that they will come back again.
Q. What are you most excited to experience in Minnesota? I’m excited to experience life on that side, even if just for a couple of weeks. To see different cities, meet different people, and also get to see other circus performers, and maybe have a play day together to exchange skills.
Q. What are you most excited for Minnesotan audiences to experience while watching this production? I would like them to experience the journey that we will be taking them, to experience the pain and the joy…and the pain in happiness, as well. I would also like them to experience a small vibe of our South African culture dance movements.
Q. What activities and restaurants do you recommend to someone who is visiting Cape Town? Enjoy traditional food, try the traditional dance, try the culture. Being around the culture in Cape Town. There’s the Waterfront with all different kinds of restaurants. We have a beautiful mountain, Table Mountain. Next to it, there’s another one which is called the Lion’s head. You can take a cable car up and down the mountain, or if you want you can also hike the mountain, which will take about 2 hours. On Lion’s Head during summer, there is paragliding. You can also go to Muizenberg to surf the waves. From the Waterfront, you can take a boat to visit Robben Island, where our president Nelson Mandela was held.
Q. What is your favorite aspect of MOYA? My favorite aspect of MOYA is that we are united. We work as a team, and we all love what we do, which makes it easy for everyone in the group.
Q. How did you begin performing with Zip Zap Circus? I started performing with Zip Zap while I was in the program called Second Chance, but it was not a big performance; we would just perform for the people that we knew, and all their kids that we stayed with. In 2011, I started to perform for different audiences; people that I didn’t know. In 2012, Brent invited me to take part with one of the main performing group, the guys who were going to Paris in Circ Phenix. I’d never been in a different country, and I’d never been on a flight. I was so excited I said yes, and I felt like that is where my journey started with Zip Zap. Since then, I think that I’ve been in six (if not more) countries, and I hope that I will continue performing, going to different countries, sharing my story, sharing the Zip Zap vibe and the South African vibe with all the different countries in the world.
Vuyani Lottering
Q. In what town did you grow up? I grew up in Cape Town.
Q. In what town do you currently live? I live in Cape Town.
Q. Where did/do you attend school? I attended Sithembele Matiso High School.
Q. Do you have a favorite memory from the first time you attended a circus? Seeing what I used to see in the movies/TV, and then coming into the Dome, you can’t tell from the outside how big it is.
Q. What do you hope for CTC audiences to learn about South Africa through the performance? MOYA represents South African roots and culture, and I want people to understand where we come from.
Q. What are you most excited to experience in Minnesota? To learn about the culture, and tour around the city.
Q. What are you most excited for Minnesotan audiences to experience while watching this production? I’m excited to share our show, MOYA.
Q. What activities and restaurants do you recommend to someone who is visiting Cape Town? Hiking, and The Dunes in Hout Bay.
Q. How did you begin performing with Zip Zap Circus? In 2014, Zip Zap performed in Khayelitsha for World Aids Day.
Q. What is your favorite place that you’ve traveled with the show? Johannesburg and Paris.
Q. Any other cool facts, tidbits, individualisms, etc. about you that you’d like to share? Touring around the world with the shows, I experience the cities, wonderful moments with the team of performers, meeting new friends, and earning more about different cultures.
Akho Narwele
Q. In what town did you grow up? I grew up in a township in Cape Town, called Nyanga.
Q. In what town do you currently live? I live in Cape Town.
Q. Where did/do you attend school? I attended school at Northlink College.
Q. Do you have a favorite memory from the first time you attended a circus? When I entered the Zip Zap Circus dome tent, I was so amazed. To experience circus magic in reality was mind-blowing, and to see other humans fly on trapeze and juggling was incredible.
Q. What do you hope for CTC audiences to learn about South Africa through the performance? MOYA represents South African roots and culture, and I want people to understand where we come from.
Q. What are you most excited to experience in Minnesota? I’m interested in meeting other people, and seeing the city and environment they live in, seeing their views, and eating their favorite meals.
Q. What are you most excited for Minnesotan audiences to experience while watching this production? I’m excited to share our energy with the audience, and to share good music with them as well.
Q. What activities and restaurants do you recommend to someone who is visiting Cape Town? The beaches, forests and lakes. And the view from the top of Table Mountain is spectacular.
Q. How did you begin performing with Zip Zap Circus? I started performing for Zip Zap when I was in a juggling group act, and now I’m doing a solo club juggling act.
Q. What is your favorite place that you’ve traveled with the show? Johannesburg and Mauritius
Q. Any other cool facts, tidbits, individualisms, etc. about you that you’d like to share? I come to Minneapolis with my full energy, to create a space to share our culture with the people and audience in Minnesota.
Jacobus Claassen
Q. In what town did you grow up? I grew up in Paarl, a city near Cape Town, a city to the north of Cape Town.
Q. In what town do you currently live? I live in Cape Town.
Q. Do you have a favorite memory from the first time you attended a circus? I was mesmerized when I went into the place, as a lot of kids were running around–some riding on a one-wheeled bike–the unicycle, and some doing flips on the big trampoline, and some flipping on the floor. It was lots of fun.
Q. What do you hope for CTC audiences to learn about South Africa through the performance? In South Africa, it doesn’t matter what skin color you are–we are all family.
Q. What are you most excited to experience in Minnesota? To learn about the culture, and how people live.
Q. What are you most excited for Minnesotan audiences to experience while watching this production? For everyone watching MOYA: To have fun, just like we have on stage. To feel our energy and love we have for each other, and our bond. I want them to feel everything and be one with us.
Q. What activities and restaurants do you recommend to someone who is visiting Cape Town? We have beautiful mountains you can hike on, and beautiful forests where you can picnic and walk. Lots of animals, and you can go to the beaches whenever. The Waterfront has a traditional restaurant and there quite a couple of restaurants serving traditional South African food.
Q. What is your favorite aspect of MOYA? My favorite aspect of MOYA is that the story is my real-life story.
Q. How did you begin performing with Zip Zap Circus? I started in a Zip Zap program called Second Chance.
Q. What is your favorite place that you’ve traveled with the show? Mauritius.
Q. Any other cool facts, tidbits, individualisms, etc. about you that you’d like to share? Touring around the world with the shows, I experience the cities and the best moments with the team of performers. MOYA is the true story of each and every one of us, and Zip Zap’s too.
Sabine van Rensburg (Virtual Director & Artistic Consultant)
Q. In what town did you grow up? Cape Town
Q. In what town do you currently live? Montreal
Q. Where did/do you attend school? Llandudno Primary + Reddam House Atlantic
Q. Do you have a favorite memory from the first time you attended a circus? Falling asleep in my mom’s arms while she operated the sound desk.
Q. What do you hope for CTC audiences to learn about South Africa through the performance? South Africa is a country that celebrates cultural diversity and inclusion. A leading example for Nations world-wide
Q. What is your favorite aspect of MOYA? The show holds a message of unwavering resilience delivered through the most talented artists!
Q. How did you begin performing with Zip Zap Circus? When I was a toddler! I would just run out to join the bow!
Josh Hawks (Musical Director)
Q. In what town did you grow up? Cape Town
Q. In what town do you currently live? Hout Bay – Cape Town
Q. Where did/do you attend school? Rondebosch Prep / Diocesan College
Q. Do you have a favorite memory from the first time you attended a circus? As a child in the seventies and early eighties Boswell Wilkie were South Africa’s pre-eminent circus, I remember the yellow and red trucks, was always most excited to watch the trapeze artists and I loved the clowns!!
Q. What do you hope for CTC audiences to learn about South Africa through the performance? I hope the CTC audience get to experience South Africa’s incredible diversity and her very soulful people, to feel the energy and appreciate the talent, music, sense of humor and incredible capacity for dance.
Q. What are you most excited to experience in Minnesota? Paisley Park
Q. What are you most excited for Minnesotan audiences to experience while watching this production? The whole show is exciting, from beginning to end.
Q. What activities and restaurants do you recommend to someone who is visiting Cape Town? Table Mountain / hiking. Winelands. Cape Point. Swim in the Atlantic Ocean. Restaurant – Ozueri / Nikkei. Drink at Anthm. Experience first Thursday in Cape Town, once a month, when roads are closed and city converted into a walking zone of galleries, bars, music and fun.
Q. What is your favorite aspect of MOYA? I love watching the cast perform, always in awe of their talent and to the music that I composed.
Q. What is your favorite place that you’ve traveled with the show? France – Paris.
Kieran McGregor (Lighting Designer)
Q. In what town did you grow up? Gqeberha, formally Port Elizabeth, an industrial town on the coast of South Africa.
Q. In what town do you currently live? Cape Town is now home, after 14 years of living here.
Q. Where did/do you attend school? Alexander Road High School, a co-ed school with a holistic approach to education with academics, cultural, and sports.
Q. Do you have a favorite memory from the first time you attended a circus? I’m not sure if it was my first circus experience, as I was lucky enough to attend and be involved in many different types of performance arts from a very young age, but I vividly remember seeing an aerial silk act, and remember the awe and spectacle of seeing the performer flying through the air over the audience as they defied gravity!
Q. What do you hope for CTC audiences to learn about South Africa through the performance? While South Africans still face significant divides in all aspects of society, our determination and, most importantly, our unity help us overcome these challenges as we slowly edge towards a better country for all.
Q. What are you most excited to experience in Minnesota? The theatre community and audiences who will be coming to experience our production!
Q. What are you most excited for Minnesotan audiences to experience while watching this production? The incredible feats performed onstage as well as how many of the performers have had to overcome adversity and show their resilience!
Q. What activities and restaurants do you recommend to someone who is visiting Cape Town? The natural beauty of the mountains, beaches and national parks right on the edge of the city. And for parents, of course, the wine experiences are amazing and truly top-class!
Q. What is your favorite aspect of MOYA? The interpretation of the subject matter into the circus arts, and how varied they are!
Q. What is your favorite place that you’ve traveled with the show? I can’t answer this as its only my second tour.
Adele Bank (Choreographer)
Q. In what town did you grow up? Johannesburg
Q. In what town do you currently live? Cape Town for 24 years
Q. Where did/do you attend school? Rosettenville, Johannesburg
Q. Do you have a favorite memory from the first time you attended a circus? Boswell Willkie, I absolutely loved it. The flying–as a kid I would wished I could fly!
Q. What do you hope for CTC audiences to learn about South Africa through the performance? That these kids are resilient, able, and are rising to great heights, whilst maintaining their humility.
Q. What are you most excited for Minnesotan audiences to experience while watching this production? Well first of all the excitement we create, the sense of artistry they developed, and all that these performers have achieved where some of them have come from nothing.
Q. What activities and restaurants do you recommend to someone who is visiting Cape Town? They have got to come and see the Zip Zap Circus. Visit our beautiful Country and what it has to offer, despite against all odds.
Q. What is your favorite aspect of MOYA? Being involved in it all!
Learn more about MOYA by Zip Zap Circus and find tickets here. Plus, dive into more of the behind-the-scenes scoop of the cast here.