Biography

Hey! I’m Jessie – a performer, writer, director, producer, and all- round lover of bringing interesting stories to life! I graduated from the University of Cape Town with a distinction in both Theatre-Making and Theatre and Dance Studies in 2022, as well as being awarded the Technical Student of the Year. In my first year on being an “industry professional”,  I started with a bang – landing my first acting job on the Emmy-nominated series, Reyka. During this time, I also juggled working at the Maynardville Open Air Festival as part of Open Culture Foundation’s Professional Arts Development Programme. Not long after these two projects wrapped, I began the writing and directing process for my first professional play, Patisserie Femme, which was funded by the National Arts Council. Patisserie Femme travelled to Woordfees and The Market Theatre. Though I have primarily written for stage up until this point, 2024 is the year in which I delve into screenwriting! When I have a moment to spare, I am a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fanatic, water sports enthusiast, a singer & piano player, and an avid wildlife-goer! Most of all, I love cooking a meal or baking a cake and sharing it with my loved ones around the dining table – this is 100% my love language!