The National Theatre of Namibia and National Art Gallery of Namibia will be hosting a Retrospective of Sandy Rudd’s 40-year theatre journey, showcasing an array of productions.

From 1983 to 2024, the excerpts from her productions will highlight a variety of genres.

This includes musicals, tribute shows, children’s theatre, special needs theatre, comedy, community theatre, Independence Day shows and COTA Theatre School productions (Spoken Word, Song Night, Theatre Sport and Free Your Mind).

Rudd said love for theatre comes a long way. 

It is the only thing she has known her whole life.

“I have great passion for theatre. I have been directing theatre for as long as I can remember. I must say it is a good feeling telling stories in different ways. Just thinking about it now, I cringe every time I think of my first production in Zambia,” she laughed hysterically.

Rudd has directed and produced a variety of plays, including ‘I am John’, ‘Meet Me at Dawn’, ‘The Lesson’, ‘Meme Mia’, ‘Shakespeare in the Car Park’, ‘Oshi-Deutsch: The GDR Children of Namibia’, ‘Lion’s Roar’, ‘Happy Beat’, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’, ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’ as well as ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’.

The all-star production team features Lize Ehlers as musical director, Ernst Steynberg as head of production, Roya Diehl as copy-editor and assistant music director, Martina Pieper as stylist, Tanya Stroh on graphics and Luktos Shikongo behind the lens as photographer.

 Rudd leads the team as executive producer and director.

In addition to celebrating her legacy, she said the production served as a much-needed boost to the local theatre industry. 

She clarified that the Covid-19 pandemic had subtly destroyed Namibia’s performing arts.

She hopes the exhibition inspires a renewed passion for theatre in performers and viewers.

Odile Gertze, who is part of the production, said she is honoured to be part of such work to make Rudd’s productions come to life.

“Her passion and creativity – you can see it in the last 40 years. Growing up, I have always witnessed Rudd’s productions take the centre stage at the National Theatre of Namibia or wherever they were happening. They had repelled effects and are inspiring because she has created work where artists can thrive through her work,” said the actress in an interview with Fresh FM recently. 

Gertze added that Rudd has made people feel seen, wanted and heard.