DAISY Spencer is an actress, singer, choreographer and director, who has been working professionally in theatre for the past 11 years.
Her acting credits include Shear Madness,MarVellousMiixtures, Othello, and the adult pantos Sinderella, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland and Wizard of Oz.
As a director, she has worked on Sophiatown, Boesman and Lena and Waiting forGodot, and has done choreography for Wizard of Oz, The African Passion, Shaken not Stirred, Can You Feel It? and this year's Rainbow Young Performers' Project, Footloose.
She also taught high-school drama for two years at Holy Family College, which is her alma mater.
"During that time, I discovered that I really do love teaching, and I will definitely pursue it again, later in life, but I just couldn't bear not being on stage, especially while I'm still young and nubile!" she says.
Looking ahead, she is planning to break into stand-up comedy. "Comedy is my 'thing' and I think the time has finally come for me to give it ago," Spencer says. "My other big dream is to open my own dance school. Anyone who knows me really well knows that choreography is my greatest passion in life. It is a life-long dream of mine to start a dance school and teach anyone and everyone to enjoy the art of movement and dance."
Spencer graduated from Rhodes University in 2003 with majors in drama and English literature, and has been happily married to Nigel Joseph Dennis for the past two-and-a-half years. "We're quite keen on starting a family soon," she says.
What do you love about your town and province?
The weather! The weather! The weather!
What is your favourite destination in the province if you want to take some time out?
I love going to the Midlands. My husband and I even spent our honeymoon in the Midlands. It's quaint, peaceful and just really, really beautiful.
Hobbies?
Reading and cooking.
Favourite food and drinks; any place(s) you want to recommend to people?
My favourite food is definitely sushi. A close second is Thai food.
I love a good cup of coffee or a moj ito. My favourite restaurant is the Havanna Grill at Suncoast. It's a Cuban restaurant, so of course they make the best mojitos!
I have not been disappointed going there. Their food is sublime and the service is first class.
Favourite vacation place outside KZN?
Cape Town, with the beaches, the wine lands, Table Mountain ...
Any gems you have found in the province?
The place my husband and I went to for our honeymoon: Sycamore Avenue Tree Houses. It's ridiculously beautiful and the owners are warm and friendly, and it's just really cool to stay in a luxurious tree house, sit in a jacuzzi sipping Champagne while looking out onto the cascading hills of the Midlands.
How do you manage work and home life?
Time management. I'm very strict about it. I make time for all that needs to be done, trying mybest not to overlap work and home life too often, and then I stick to those times as much as I possibly can.
What is the best part of your job?
Being responsible for someone's growth as an artist.
What is the worst part of your job?
Technical rehearsals; they are always long and tedious. Other than that, I love everything about my job.
What is the one thing about your town/province that you think everybody should know?
Our theatre is as good as in any other province. For some reason, people underestimate the level of talent that is in Durban.
"If I had all the money in the world I would ... "
Buy a house, open my own dance school and then take my husband and myself on a trip around the world.
Interview by: Estelle Sinkins.
Source: Witness Explore