27/07/2025
ANNOUNCING OUR ADJUDICATOR FOR THE DANCE SECTION OF THE NOORDERLRUIN KUNSTEFEES:
Anitra Davel
Anitra Davel was born in Pretoria to parents Vicki and Hendrik – who both danced with the Royal Ballet in London – and her theatrical career, spanning over 20 years, has included successes as both performer as well as director and choreographer.
Anitra’s academic credits include obtaining a Master's Degree in Drama (cum laude) in 2014 from the University of Pretoria (UP), obtaining her B: Tech Musical Theatre degree majoring in Directing and Choreography (cum laude) from Tshwane University of Technology (2005), excelling in a postgraduate business course offered by UNISA (2001) and a BA Law degree from Wits University (1993). Whilst completing her Master’s, Anitra presented a paper at the FIRT/IFTR (International Federation of Theatre Research) conference in Barcelona (2013), was awarded the ‘Best Student in the Arts Cluster 2014’ for a UP Postgraduate Competition and published an article in the International Journal: Studies in Musical Theatre.
As a performer she appeared in many well-known musicals such as Oklahoma! (1997), BUDDY! The Buddy Holly Story (1998), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2000) and Boogie Nights (2004). Anitra was also privileged to be part of the original South African cast of CATS (2001), which not only performed locally but also toured internationally and to which she returned as Resident Choreographer (2009/10). Apart from performing in an almost infinite number of corporate events as a dancer, her varied career has also included various pantomimes, extravaganzas and television appearances as well as being a founder member of Tshwane Dance Theatre (2003).
In 2005 Anitra was nominated for a Naledi Award for her portrayal of Maria Elena in Richard Loring’s That’ll be the Day and was also seen on-stage in the racy straight play Ladies’ Night (2005) and Tim Plewman’s farcical Grin and Bare It (2010). Anitra has choreographed and directed many corporate events (including the 17th Annual South African Music Awards - SAMA’s), commercials and theatre productions as well as a number of shows for the Barnyard Theatre Circuit.
