Junaid Denston

I am a trained actor and emerging Filmmaker striving to build a creative academic career with a passion for merging lecturing/teaching in basic and higher education with a professional attitude of engagement in both the Performing Arts, Filmmaking, and Television industries. My goals are to use Anthropological thinking through Socially Engaged Research and Practice-based Research within both teaching and the outputs of communities’ creative collaboration through their local contexts.

Academic & Teaching Experience

Rhodes University (2022–2025)

• Tutor, Anthropology Department (2022–2024)
• Tutor, Drama Department (2023)
• Teaching Assistant, Second-year Voice, Drama Department (2024)
• Temporary Lecturer / Contract Teacher, CHERTL – Anthropology Extended Studies (Semester 2, 2024)
• Teaching Assistant, Journalism & Media Studies Extended Studies (Semester 1, 2025)

Film, Media & Arts Experience

• Trained Theatre Actor, Rhodes University (2021–Present)
• Support Actor, Rhodes University's 120th Anniversary TV Advertisement (2024)
• Extra, Netflix Series: MisEducation
  (Shot in 2022, Released in 2023 – participated in two days of filming)
• Exchange Student, Malmö University, Sweden – Filmmaking and Socially Engaged Research (2025)
• Front of House Member, Drama Department (2023–2024)
• Student Assistant / Arts Administrator, Drama Department (2024, part-time)
• Office Assistant to HOD, Drama Department (Semester 2, 2024)
• RMR – Rhodes Music Radio – Host/Presenter in 2019

Rhodes University

• Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, Drama, and Journalism & Media Studies
  Obtained in 2022, Graduated in 2023
• Bachelor of Arts (Joint) Honours in Anthropology and Drama
  Obtained in 2023, Graduated in 2024
• Engage Certificate in Small Group Facilitation -Qualification obtained from Rhodes University, offering a free short course through CHERTL
• Master of Arts in Drama (Ongoing, 2025 since on an Exchange in Sweden); enrolled for MA Drama in 2024 for a two-year program of coursework and thesis, with year one completed. 

Malmö University

• Exchange Student, Malmö University, Sweden (2025) for Semester One until June
  Courses: Filmmaking and Socially Engaged Research