Not many students spend their time at Stellenbosch University (SU) in the same building where their parents first met. Dhania Schultz, who received her honours degree in writing and directing this week, has a very special link with SU's Department of Drama. Being the daughter of a well-loved acting couple with deep roots at the University made graduation extra special for the talented thespian who excelled in various fields throughout her academic career.
Dhania's parents are two famous Maties alumni – her dad, Waldemar Schultz, rose to fame playing Jan-Hendrik Terreblanche in the TV-series 7de Laan and is a popular theatre actor, voice artist and director. While at SU, he won a Fleur du Cap Award as Most Promising Student and a Dux Award for Academic Excellence. Waldemar also lectured at SU while completing his master's degree.
Dhania's mom, Ira Blanckenberg, is a seasoned actress, known for roles in various TV shows, films and theatre productions and she manages her own drama school. Like her daughter, Ira holds the equivalent of an honours degree in drama at SU. She was also nominated as Most Promising Student for the Fleur du Cap Awards and in 2022, received a nomination for a South African Film and Television Awards.
Despite practically growing up on sets and in theatres, drama was not an automatic study choice, Dhania explains. “I went through a billion different phases before I settled on drama. At some point I wanted to study mathematics. My dad also has many different interests, and I was encouraged to always be curious. My aptitude tests recommended fields such as chartered accountancy, but I knew I couldn't sit behind a desk all day!"
Academic excellence
When Dhania considered her interests and things she loves to do, she realised drama encapsulates everything she's passionate about. “Especially now that I'm focused on writing and directing, which also involves set design, lighting and sound – it means you get to express yourself visually and practically while also working with people and ideas. I've found a place where I can cultivate all the things that I love. There's nothing quite like it," she says with a big smile.
Once she decided to study drama, coming to Stellenbosch was a no-brainer, Dhania says. “Our Drama Department is one of the best in the country, if not the best. It was the only place I applied to, and I was very grateful that I got in."
Over the past four years, Dhania's intense involvement with the Première Theatre Festival, where students write and direct and put on their own productions, crystalised her true calling – directing. “Initially I was just going to do my honours degree in directing. But for our year, they happened to combine writing and directing into one degree, which was such a blessing in disguise, because I acquired an insane number of skills."
In her honour's year, Dhania was involved in seven stage productions, and she wrote three productions while also working overtime on theoretical modules.
As much as she enjoys acting and directing, Dhania is also a naturally gifted academic. Last year she received the Rector's Award for Academic Excellence. She ascribes her high marks to curiosity and a mindset of making the most of every opportunity. “You only get out of life what you put into it," she says firmly. “That's why I embraced all the opportunities I got here and tried a million things. The more you put in, the more you learn, the more you grow."
Transformative power of theatre
She speaks movingly about the power of the arts and theatre specifically to create space for a shared humanity. Her family went through an unimaginable loss in 2013 when her brother Kieran, who was 14, died in an accident after losing his footing and falling off a cliff at the old harbour in Hermanus.
Dhania, who was 11 at the time, initially struggled to make sense of the tragedy while being in the media spotlight. As she matured, she realised the therapeutic value of channelling her emotions into creative endeavours. “I think grief can be very isolating and make you feel very alone. But being able to express myself creatively has been tremendously healing. To be able to put your deepest, most vulnerable self out there for people and to see how people connect to that and relate to that, is a beautiful experience.
“I remember when my mom wrote a play about losing my brother called 'Haal Asem' (“Breathe"), how much that meant to people who were then able to share experiences they've never been able to put into words. I think the beauty of being human is that there is always someone else who has experienced something similar to what you're going through. Sharing this can bring people together in profound ways."
Dhania insists theatre will always be her first love and while she's looking forward to making the most of South Africa's vibrant arts festival scene, she's also open to the possibility of getting involved in the film industry. “I'm still figuring out exactly where I want to fit in in all of this. There are so many options out there, I'm really excited to explore all of it. Our country has some of the greatest creative voices."
There was not much time for celebration on graduation day, as Dhania is currently stage manager and assistant director for Annie + Helen, a theatre production that is being rehearsed for the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK) in Oudtshoorn next month.
Once the pressure is off, Dhania hopes to find time for “an outrageous celebration" with friends and family to mark the end of her time at SU. “I have grown so much as a person in these last four years, and it has meant so much to me. I would love to stay involved at SU," she says.
Proud parents
Ira and Waldemar describe being Dhania's parents as a “privilege and a blessing".
“Seeing her standing on the steps of the Drama Department that first day where Waldi and my love began to blossom all those years ago made my heart explode with love, appreciation and pride," Ira says. “Dhania has seized every opportunity at university and has reached such heights as a writer, director, actor and academic that it takes my breath away. What I am most proud of is what she has learned as a person, her empathy for others, the lifelong friends she has made and her perseverance in dark times."
Waldemar says it's a joy to see Dhania walk her own path in a “crazy" industry. “I have enormous respect for her creativity and vision. In whatever capacity she dedicates herself to in a production, she gives it her all, and I think she will be an incredible asset to the industry. I can't wait to work with her, whether it's on stage or on set. She inspires me daily to make magic and tell stories."
PHOTO: Stefan Els
