# Angelique Rockas

> South African Greek actress, producer, artistic director of Internationalist Theatre, and activist (born 1951)

**Wikidata**: [Q23893984](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23893984)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelique_Rockas)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/angelique-rockas

## Summary

Angelique Rockas was born in 1951 in Boksburg[1] to parents George Rockas[1] and Stavroula Rockas, and grew up with siblings Basil Rockas, Dimitra Rockas, and Georgina Rockas[1]. She was educated at St Dominic's Catholic School for Girls, Boksburg[2][3][1][4][5][6][7], and later attended the University of the Witwatersrand, University of Cape Town, and University of South Africa[2][3][1][4][5][6][7].Rockas works as a film actor, stage actor, television actor, theatre practitioner, actor, and theatrical producer[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23], operating across the fields of theatre art, film, activism, and visual arts[24][1][25][26]. She is a member of the Eastern Orthodox Church.Her notable works include Medea[1][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36], Miss Julie[1][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36], In the Bar of a Tokyo Hotel[1][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36], The Witches[1][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36], The Camp by Griselda Gambaro[1][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36], 'Tis Pity She's a Whore[1][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36], and three additional productions[1][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36].

## Summary
Angelique Rockas is a South African Greek actress, producer, and activist best known as the founding artistic director of Internationalist Theatre in London. Born in 1951, she is recognized for her work in film, television, and theatre, as well as her contributions to social and political activism through the arts.

## Biography
- **Born**: 1951  
- **Nationality**: South African Greek  
- **Education**: Studied at the University of the Witwatersrand, University of Cape Town, University of South Africa, and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.  
- **Known for**: Founding Internationalist Theatre; performances in classical and contemporary plays; film and TV roles.  
- **Employer(s)**: Internationalist Theatre (artistic director).  
- **Field(s)**: Theatre, film, television, activism, visual arts, research.  

## Contributions
- **Internationalist Theatre**: Founded in April 1981 in London, promoting cross-cultural collaboration through productions such as *Medea* (Euripides), *Miss Julie* (Strindberg), *The Balcony* (Genet), and *Mother Courage and Her Children* (Brecht).  
- **Notable Performances**: Acted in *The Witches* (1990 film), *’Tis Pity She’s a Whore* (John Ford), and *Enemies* (Gorky).  
- **Activism**: Used theatre and arts to advocate for social change, aligning with broader political and humanitarian causes.  
- **Multidisciplinary Work**: Engaged in research, dance, and visual arts alongside her primary career in acting and production.  

## FAQs
- **Where was Angelique Rockas educated?**  
  She studied at the University of the Witwatersrand, University of Cape Town, University of South Africa, and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London.  

- **What are her most notable works?**  
  Key productions include *Medea*, *Miss Julie*, and *The Balcony* with Internationalist Theatre, as well as film roles in *The Witches* (1990).  

- **How is she connected to activism?**  
  Rockas integrated activism into her artistic work, using theatre to address social and political issues and promote cross-cultural understanding.  

## Why They Matter
Angelique Rockas reshaped London’s theatre landscape through Internationalist Theatre, which championed international collaboration and diverse storytelling. Her revival of politically charged plays and her fusion of activism with art influenced contemporary theatre practices, emphasizing theatre’s role in social discourse. Without her efforts, the UK’s 1980s theatre scene would have lacked a critical platform for international voices and radical narratives.

## Notable For
- Founding Internationalist Theatre (1981).  
- Reviving classical plays with modern, socially conscious interpretations.  
- Bridging South African, Greek, and British cultural contexts in her work.  
- Multifaceted career spanning acting, production, activism, and visual arts.  

## Body

### Early Life and Education  
Born in 1951, Angelique Rockas pursued higher education at the University of the Witwatersrand, University of Cape Town, and University of South Africa. She later trained at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London, laying the groundwork for her career in the performing arts.

### Career  
#### **Theatre Work**  
Rockas’s most enduring legacy is **Internationalist Theatre**, which she established in April 1981. The company produced works such as:  
- *Medea* (Euripides)  
- *Miss Julie* (August Strindberg, first performed in 1888)  
- *The Balcony* (Jean Genet, 1956)  
- *Mother Courage and Her Children* (Bertolt Brecht, 1938)  
- *Enemies* (Maxim Gorky)  

These productions emphasized political and social themes, reflecting her commitment to activism through art.  

#### **Film and Television**  
Rockas appeared in the 1990 film *The Witches*, directed by Nicolas Roeg, and contributed to television and film projects alongside her stage work.  

#### **Activism and Multidisciplinary Practice**  
Beyond theatre, Rockas engaged in activism, research, and visual arts. Her work spanned dance, film, and theatre, with a focus on driving societal change through creative expression.  

### Legacy  
Through Internationalist Theatre, Rockas created a unique platform for international voices in London, fostering collaborations that transcended national boundaries. Her productions of classic plays reinvigorated their political relevance, while her film roles and activism solidified her reputation as a versatile and principled artist.  

### Affiliated Institutions  
- **University of the Witwatersrand** (Johannesburg, South Africa)  
- **University of Cape Town** (Cape Town, South Africa)  
- **University of South Africa** (Pretoria, South Africa)  
- **Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance** (London, UK)  

### Artistic Focus  
Rockas’s work centered on theatre as a tool for social commentary, blending classical repertoire with modern activism. Her contributions to film, research, and visual arts underscored her belief in the interconnectedness of creative disciplines.  

### Key Themes  
- **Cross-cultural collaboration**: Through Internationalist Theatre.  
- **Revival of radical classics**: Staging works by Brecht, Genet, and Gorky.  
- **Multidisciplinary practice**: Bridging theatre, film, activism, and visual arts.  

By integrating activism with artistic innovation, Rockas left an indelible mark on both the UK theatre scene and global discussions about the role of art in society.

## References

1. [Source](http://tinyurl.galegroup.com/tinyurl/BNypv3)
2. Wayback Machine
3. [Source](https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=iMC5o-iJq-YC&pg=PA933&lpg=PA933&dq=miss+julie+angelique+rockas+sunday+telegraph&source=bl&ots=p_Zc7F9x-I&sig=ACfU3U3Crj7xrSNtJ2nKPhcTqfremNBnxw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiWvcDzzfTnAhX3SBUIHceWCp4Q6AEwAHoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=miss%20julie%20angelique%20rockas%20sunday%20telegraph&f=false)
4. [Source](https://theatricalia.com/person/200e/angelique-rockas)
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. Integrated Authority File
7. datos.bne.es
8. [Source](https://archive.ph/20160606160808/http://www.thesouthafrican.com/angelique-rockas-bold-theatre-pioneer/)
9. [Source](https://academicinfluence.com/people/angelique-rockas)
10. [Angelique Rockas. Stellenbosch University](https://esat.sun.ac.za/index.php/Angelique_Rockas)
11. [Source](https://edurank.org/uni/university-of-cape-town/alumni/)
12. Academia.edu
13. [Source](https://edurank.org/uni/university-of-south-africa/alumni/)
14. [Source](https://archive.org/details/tribute-to-africa-jewellery-by-angelique-rockas/Aiyana%20%282%29.jpg)
15. [Wayback Machine](https://archive.org/details/angelique-rockas-bag-creations)
16. [Source](https://archive.md/px2ep#selection-639.35-639.36)
17. Rotten Tomatoes
18. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/personne/fichepersonne_gen_cpersonne=439461.html?nopub=1)
19. [Source](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Angelique+Rockas&qt=lang_switch&lang=en)
20. Library of Congress Authorities
21. [Source](http://www.apgrd.ox.ac.uk/productions/people/3272)
22. [Source](https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=EOUwAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Angelique+Rockas%22&dq=%22Angelique+Rockas%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwibzKr-mvjXAhWoI8AKHbs4DiYQ6AEIMDAC)
23. [Source](https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/search/results?basicsearch=angelique%20rockas&retrievecountrycounts=false)
24. Eleftherotypia
25. YouTube
26. [Source](https://www.dramaandtheatre.co.uk/practical/article/practitioner-focus-angelique-rockas)
27. [Dasehra celebrations. 2017](http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ludhiana/dasehra-celebrations/475504.html)
28. [Angelique Rockas Archive](http://searcharchives.bl.uk/primo_library/libweb/action/dlDisplay.do?docId=IAMS032-003377398&fn=permalink&vid=IAMS_VU2)
29. [Source](https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/search/results?basicsearch=second%20show%20by%20genet%20the%20stage%20april%201981&retrievecountrycounts=false)
30. [Source](https://archive.vn/20160606160808/http://www.thesouthafrican.com/angelique-rockas-bold-theatre-pioneer/)
31. Union List of Artist Names
32. [Source](https://esat.sun.ac.za/index.php/Angelique_Rockas)
33. [Source](https://www.thefamouspeople.com/south-african-activists.php)
34. [Source](https://www.cid-world.org/gdd/index.php#tab_M01)
35. [Source](https://archive.org/details/balleto-africanico/Balleto%20Africanico.jpg)
36. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20190912021142/http://searcharchives.bl.uk/primo_library/libweb/action/dlDisplay.do?docId=IAMS032-003377398&fn=permalink&vid=IAMS_VU2)
37. [Source](https://kingscollections.org/catalogues/kclca/collection/g/greek-diaspora-archive/)
38. [Source](https://archiv.adk.de/objekt/2583471)
39. [Source](http://www.apgrd.ox.ac.uk/productions/sources/16126)
40. [Source](http://cadensa.bl.uk/uhtbin/cgisirsi/?ps=epLylqOjcU/WORKS-FILE/178570042/18/X490/XTITLE/Angelique+Rockas+collection)
41. [Source](https://archive.ph/6Kk2n)
42. [Source](https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceArchive/110078562)
43. discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk
44. [Source](https://archive.org/details/email-erik-hook-director-of-strindberg-museum-paper-archive-of-data-of-miss-julie-production)
45. [Wayback Machine](https://findingaids.library.columbia.edu/pdf/cul-4079626.pdf)
46. [Source](https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=angelique+rockas&view=detail&mid=AD9AA2A3DC5F50EAAB00AD9AA2A3DC5F50EAAB00&FORM=VIRE)
47. [Source](http://www.apgrd.ox.ac.uk/productions/production/3038)
48. [Source](https://www.la-notizia.net/2021/12/15/anticipazioni-per-il-grande-teatro-di-euripide-in-tv-del-15-dicembre-alle-15-45-su-rai-5-medea-con-sarah-ferrati/)
49. [Source](https://www.la-notizia.net/2023/01/11/anticipazioni-per-il-grande-teatro-di-euripide-in-tv-dell11-gennaio-alle-15-50-su-rai-5-medea-con-mariangela-melato/)
50. [Source](https://www.la-notizia.net/2023/07/16/anticipazioni-per-visioni-al-festival-teatro-greco-di-siracusa-2023-del-16-luglio-alle-15-45-su-rai-5-medeadi-euripide-con-laura-marinoni/)