Tshwane University of Technology
Dr Karina Lemmer
Tshepiso Hlongwane
Chantell Nonhlonipho Khumalo
A Conversation about gender and the expression of emotion
Primary emotions are physical pre-linguistic impulses that all humans share. According to Bloch such responses are the result of the endocrine, cardio vascular, respiratory and muscular systems, and may be deemed humanity’s shared first-language.
Expression, in response to these impulses, are however shaped, through experience, by cultural and societal influences. As a result, primary emotions are diluted in their expression to a mixture of physical and vocal signals that are context specific. In our research, we consider the emotional patterns and ways in which actors can re- discover, apply and safely release these when portraying characters’ emotional lives.
In our work with ‘language and emotion’, ‘politeness and emotion in female characters’ and ‘emotional regulation in male characters’ we are exploring the emotional patterns that become habitual to gender roles. Our proposed paper will be structured as a conversation as we offer different perspectives on how gender roles influence the regulation and expression of the primary emotions. This will be situated in the South African context as our research is centred on South African languages and characters.
BIOGRAPHIES
Dr Karina Lemmer
Dr Karina Lemmer holds a PhD, which examines multilingual embodied acting in the South African context. This was the outcome of various creative projects that explored multilingual acting and that has culminated in publications in national and international journals.
She is a senior lecturer at the TUT Department of Performing Arts where she specializes in acting and voice. Karina is a certified Lessac body-voice and Meisner facilitator who has coached several stage productions and films.
She is also a Naledi nominated director who has adapted and directed several classical texts and has also created original multilingual South African Theatre. Karina is the co-founder of the Creative Research Lab and co-leader of the Research Niche Area for Artivism against GBV.
Tshepiso Hlongwane
Tshepiso Hlongwane, a 25-year-old Tshwane University of Technology graduate, has made remarkable strides in his academic and professional journey since joining the Department of Performing Arts in 2020.
He is known for his maturity and dedication, he excelled in his Acting specialisation, graduating with a Cum Laude for his Postgraduate Diploma in Performing Arts. He has received the Executive Dean’s award as the top student for his Advanced Diploma, 2023.
His talents were showcased in prestigious productions such as August Wilson's "Two Trains Running" (2022) and Harold Pinter’s "Party Time" (2024), both directed by Dr Karina Lemmer.
In addition to his outstanding performances, Tshepiso co-produced the play "Shattered Bliss" at the 2023 TUT Arts Festival and TX Theatre. He also contributed significantly to the university’s community as a student mentor and Library & Information Student Assistant, where he initiated various engaging projects to foster a love for reading and writing among students. He is currently pursuing a research Master's Degree, where he continues to stand out as a practitioner, researcher, and academic in the Performing Arts.
Chantell Nonhlonipho Khumalo
Chantell Nonhlonipho Khumalo is a graduate of Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), where she earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Performing Arts with distinction.
She is currently working on her Master's degree, focusing on the social conditioning of politeness in females and its impact on their acting.
A natural leader, Chantell served as Chairperson of the Student Faculty Council in TUT's Arts & Design faculty.
Chantell has experience in both stage and film productions, demonstrating her versatility as an artist. One of her most notable works is a co-written and directed piece about postpartum depression, highlighting the mental health struggles of new mothers. Through her art, she aims to raise awareness, drive social change, and amplify marginalized voices.
A skilled performer, facilitator, and director, Chantell uses her leadership abilities to create meaningful, thought-provoking work. Her passion for theatre and unique artistic vision continues to make a lasting impact on the performing arts, driven by optimism and dedication.
Alastair Pringle
Alastair Pringe has taught Make-up at Tshwane University of Technology for over thirteen years. In reading for his National Diploma from Technikon Pretoria, he specialised in costume and make-up and received an award for best student in make-up in 1997.
He currently holds a M Tech in Performing Arts Technology (cum laude) from TUT. His dissertation was titled Investigating Illusory Makeup Techniques for Performing Artists with Dark Skin Tone. He has gained extensive experience working on live opera and musical productions and has worked in the performing arts both locally and abroad.
Highlights include working as a costume technician and make-up artist on Disney's production of The Lion King staged at the Teatro at Montecasino, Johannesburg in 2007 and in Taipei, Taiwan the following year; a hair stylist on Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, staged in Johannesburg and Cape Town in 2009; hair supervisor for the South African production of Jersey Boys on its local and international tour in 2012/2013, and as an extra's hair stylist for the film Long Walk to Freedom.
Most recently, he created wigs for Pieter Toerien’s production of Witness for the Prosecution and is active in the student productions within TUT’s Department of Performing Arts.