Today we’d like to introduce you to Kutloano Headbush.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, the city of Gold. I come from a big family where I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by many siblings and cousins all my life. Johannesburg is a city where people go to hustle and make something of themselves. Growing up in a metropolitan city full of ambitious people encouraged me to be a big dreamer. Believing I can achieve what I set my heart on motivated me to be an actor and filmmaker.
I’ve always loved stories, whether in books, on the tv, or in movie houses. Growing up, I used to love writing my own short stories or comics in school. I joined a drama club when I was 12. I was so nervous and didn’t really think I was any good at acting. To my surprise, I won the award for best actress that year; I remember thinking, “I could do this all the time!”. That thought started everything. I studied dramatic arts and psychology at the University of Cape Town, Theatre and Performance at the University of Witwatersrand. I then worked in theater for a while before moving to Los Angeles, where I graduated summa cum laude with a Master of Fine Art in Acting for Film in 2023. I will always accredit my work ethic and approach to storytelling to my start in theater. My studies developed my talent and empowered me with knowledge and skills that fed my confidence. My work experience and academic career led me to write, produce, and act in my first short film titled “Lapeng”.
Lapeng is inspired by the infamously difficult challenges victims face when reporting their assault to law enforcement in South Africa. Gender-based violence (GBV) is a growing pandemic in South Africa that needs to change. One of the challenges hindering a positive change is the poor quality of support GBV survivors receive. Lapeng is about Tiisteso’s fight for justice after she is assaulted by her uncle.
I believe storytelling plays a huge part in creating positive social change, and that’s something I hope Lapeng inspires as it starts its film festival run this month.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been bumps along the way, some bigger than others, but looking back I’m grateful for how they helped me grow.
Moving from Johannesburg, South Africa to Los Angeles in 2021 came with many hurdles, like overcoming culture shock and adjusting to the industry in America. However, my training and acting career in South Africa well-equipped me for the new terrain. I feel blessed to have such a range of experiences, from theater to film, from South Africa to America. Learning to adapt to change has given me the opportunity to meet such kind and creative people along the way. They allowed me to pour into them, and they have poured into me, entrusting me with roles that have stretched my abilities.
As a filmmaker, taking a film from concept to post-production, I’ve had challenges overcoming the fear of a blank page. Starting a new script can be daunting, but once I get out of my own way and put words on a page, the story somehow shapes itself. This is not without tossing pages and rewriting scenes. Another big challenge is funding. In my experience, funding is at best unnerving. This was especially the case with a story as close to my heart as Lapeng. However, with the training I got during my MFA, the right exposure, and support from the people who believed in me, it all came together.
I thank God for helping me get up every time I’ve fallen. Through all these challenges, perseverance and self-belief are what kept me going. I’m so grateful to all my friends and family that have shown up for me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an actor, filmmaker, and dancer. In all my work, social justice makes up a big part of my “why” as an artist. My efforts, whether in dance, film, or theater, are focused on creating positive change, specifically with gender-based violence and inclusivity.
I was a professional acrobat for 12 years, some of the best years of my life. Acrobatic dance led me to other forms of movement like physical theater and Butoh. I even majored in movement during my postgraduate studies at the University of Witwatersrand. I’ve been drawn to performance and how it can move people. I had the pleasure of working with Unmute Dance Company, an inclusive company made up of (dis)abled and able-bodied performers.
I believe inclusivity is important and should be encouraged. Norms and values that exclude (dis)abled people can be challenged, negotiated, and positively changed through performing arts. My performance and academic career in dramatic arts is focused on dismantling barriers that (dis)abled people face and encouraging the inclusion of (dis)abled people within society. My other focus is gender-based violence – something I sadly grew up being exposed to in South Africa. I aim for my art to be weaponized against it, used to evoke critical thought and hopefully action against it.
My drive and commitment to being the best artist I can be and using that to inspire the change I’d like to see colors in my art.
What were you like growing up?
I was a quiet child in elementary school, always had my nose in a book. I began opening up and letting my personality shine when I started performing arts. I joined an acrobatics academy and a drama club when I was 12 years old. Performing was the first thing I ever felt good at, and it gave me opportunities to break out of my shell. Acrobatics made up a lot of my life in school; I was privileged enough to represent my country on an internationally competitive level.
I also played netball and joined a dance club in high school. I always gravitated toward performance, especially with a team involved. I think that’s one of the things that drew me to film and theater – creating something with others. I grew up in a big family with three sisters and four brothers, one of which is my twin brother. Having a big family and learning to maintain those relationships has proven to be beneficial in creating and keeping the connections I’ve made in my personal life and my career.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kutloanoheadbush.wixsite.com/kutloano-headbush
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kutloano_headbush/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KutloanoHDBH/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kutloano-headbush-ba98491b1
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kutloano_hdbh
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kutloano_headbush/featured
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/kutloano-headbush
- Other: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/2038179-5719713
