earthside is a dark comedy that explores the raw, chaotic and unpredictable space between life and death. This one woman shows dives head-first into the bittersweet reality of grieving while also becoming a first-time mother: where joy and sorrow collide in the most absurd ways. With humour as its guide, earthside takes an unflinching look at the complexity of existing in the in-between. It's a personal journey filled with moments of levity, deep reflection and plenty of irreverence.
earthside was conceptualised during Spark in The Dark’s Solo writing workshop.
Candice Bernstein (writer/performer) is a South African actress, voiceover artist and theatre producer. She is a graduate of William H Macy and David Mamet’s Atlantic Theatre Company’s Acting Conservatory. Select stage credits include Never Sleep Alone (Joe’s Pub, NYC), Gruesome Playground Injuries directed by Tara Notcutt (Alexander Bar, ) and Eve Ensler’sThe Vagina Monologues directed by Marlisa Doubell.
Candice has voiced numerous international characters on popular Zee World shows including Sands of Time where she played the lead character Mohini.
She also founded Sarafina Magazine: an online publication celebrating South African women in the arts, which operated from 2016-2021.
Jennifer Steyn (Director) - “I have a fairly extensive body of work as an actor in theatre and film, for which I am grateful to have received several nominations and awards in both genres over some 40 years as a performing artist. Over these years I have directed a small amount, taught a healthy amount of students and created three new works in collaboration with fellow artists. I have worked on evolving new texts, both as an actor, director and in an advisory capacity. My focus to date has been an exploration of performance where the "framed" can simultaneously knit together with that which is "unframed." By this I mean to ask the question: Can one perform within a structured, directed work, which can at the same time hold moments which are not premeditated, are unpredictable and are truly authentic? I am hesitant to describe myself as a director. But rather as someone, who holds space for a creative evolution. To explore layers, which are not spoken, or obvious, but which pulsate under the text. Working on a text, which has been written by the performer, is an invitation to the performer to go deeper into that which they have already risked sharing. This is a vulnerable space and one which asks of me to witness with heightened attention. It is a great responsibility and when I "direct," I hope to honour the performer and the person.”