Artist in residence Zakes Mokae speaks with students about life as an entertainer.

Actor Zakes Mokae Shares Life Experiences With CCSN Students

By: Jennifer Wright

Posted: 3/5/02

Sitting relaxed and cheerful inside the Little Theater on the Cheyenne Campus, guest lecturer Zakes Mokae has made himself at home at CCSN.

The Tony Award winning actor would like more students to appreciate and participate in theatre arts.

"Most of the Vegas (high) schools have theaters," Zakes said. "But they don't use them on a regular basis."

Since 1999, Mokae has contributed to the arts program at CCSN. In March of 1999 he directed "Fences", the August Wilson Pulitzer Prize winningplay about how an African-American father/son relationship is tested throughout the turbulent times of segregation in the 1950's.

Currently he's developing the play "National Pastimes" a tribute to baseball and its legends and the impact of integration in sports.

He believes that in the past 10 to 15 years Las Vegas has grown culturally in theatre arts.

"There's a lot of stuff we are doing here at the theatre," he said. "There are more theatrical productions during the weekdays. That's a big improvement."

There's no difference in the caliber of performers in Las Vegas or Hollywood. "Good actors are good actors," he said.

Born and raised in South Africa during the era of apartheid, Mokae has seen tragedy up close and personal. As a young man he endured pointless beatings, and time in jail merely for the color of his skin. He realized there had to be a way out.

When he went along with a friend to a play audition, Mokae caught the acting bug and found his calling in the theatre.

By 1950 he joined forces with white playwright and actor Athol Fugard and founded a theatrical workshop despite apartheid's rules of segregation.

Fugard and Mokae formed an artistic bond for decades to come, working together in numerous plays throughout South Africa, Europe and America.

Mokae says talking to students across the Vegas Valley about his life experiences on the stage and in films will hopefully spark an interest among students. Part of the challenge in the lecture circuit is to show students that Shakespeare isn't difficult.

"It's hard to get them focused," he explained. "(Some) kids are not quite as tuned in, so you have to remind them. You have to make it enjoyable for the kids."

Mokae, 67, expressed there is a dark side to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Many think they can easily become the next Britney Spears or Brad Pitt. But those actors and musicians are essentially the lucky ones, and students should realize achieving stardom isn't as easy as they might think.

"I have to tell them horror stories about that very gently," he said.

Mokae moved to Vegas almost 15 years ago to get away from the Hollywood crowd. But if he does choose to work on particular projects, Hollywood isn't too far away.

"I don't go out there to be discovered," he said. "People are not frank and open in Hollywood. There are still a lot of dreamers there. Everyone has scripts."

With a career spanning over 50 years, Mokae has certainly paid his dues. He won a Tony award in 1982 for his role in the Athol Fugard's play "Master Harold and the Boys."

He has also been featured in many movie roles including "Cry Freedom," "A Rage in Harlem," "Outbreak," and " A Dry White Season," for which he earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 1989.

Mokae is also a former member of the English Stage Company, and in 1980 he started The Black Actors Theatre with Danny Glover.

The versatile actor has also made appearances on many popular television shows such as "Oz," "The West Wing," "The X-Files," and "Law & Order."

Mokae often blushes looking back on his work. Once the job is done he says he detaches himself from it. Often when guests come over to his home they want to watch one of his films.

"It's very rare that I watch one of my films," he said. "The best time to do it is when you are by yourself."

The span of his career has been a fulfilling one, he said and acting will always remain close to his heart.