BIO
Meet me: Kirsti Cumming, a passionate digital media artist with a love for projection and performance. Originally from Zimbabwe, I earned an Associate Degree of Applied Arts in Multimedia and Web Design from the Art Institute of Seattle before moving to Cape Town to work in the film industry’s editing department. It wasn’t long before I discovered the magical world of projection art at outdoor festivals, which sparked my journey into VJing, projection mapping art installations, and eventually working in theatre.
My multimedia background and the organisational skills I honed in the film industry have given me the flexibility to create digital media content for an array of theatrical genres. From opera to musicals, drama to dance, and productions for both adults and children, it’s been an incredible journey bringing diverse stories to life. I’ve been fortunate to work on many shows centred on South Africa’s apartheid struggle and the individuals who fought for change, offering me an unconventional yet deeply enriching education about the country’s political and cultural landscape.
In my pursuit of authentic content, I’ve had my share of adventures—sometimes resembling an extreme sport given the high rate of crime in South Africa! From exploring the townships and mining backroads of Johannesburg to navigating the industrial areas, abandoned alleys, and Cape Flats of Cape Town, every experience has added depth and awareness to my work.
When I’m not immersed in digital creation, you’ll likely find me hiking in the mountains, diving through kelp forests under the sea, geeking out at a museum, or soaking in as much live entertainment as I can.

Check out my showreel or browse the timeline below to see some of what I've been up to for the last 10 years.
TIMELINE OF SELECTED WORKS
2024
joltyd (revue)
porgy & bess (opera)
celebrity skin (cabaret)
dalinda (opera)
i got rhythm (ballet & dance)
the little mermaid (children's musical)
lucia di lammermoor (opera)
trial by media (opera)
kuamka (physical theatre)
2023
freedom retreat (video)
rainbow rhythms (revue)
manyano (dance)
tosca (opera)
dreaming dance in district six : the johaar mosaval story (ballet & dance)
master class (drama)
the intergalactic exhibit of life (installation)
maxeke : this work is not for yourselves (puppetry & object theatre)
2022
star+crossed (musical)
one in three (concert)
die sewe doodsondes / the seven deadly sins (musical theatre)
sara baartman (opera)
dance of the la gumas (drama)
2021
our house (musical)
life & times of michael k (puppetry drama)
as die see byt / hooked by the sea (musical theatre)
snapped (drama)
2020
living coloured (drama)
cosi fan tutte (opera)
streetscapes (video)
the producers (musical comedy)
2019
aunty merle it’s a girl (musical comedy)
danger in the dark (musical)
antigone (not quite/quiet) (experimental)
lalela ulwandle (research-based theatre)
south pacific (musical)
biogas revolution (video)
samson (musical theatre)
2018
little mermaid (ballet)
cinderella (ballet)
stream (physical theatre)
passion for opera (opera variety)
tsotsi (musical)
2017
aunty merle the musical (musical comedy)
the magic flute (opera)
der fliegende holländer (opera)
the illuminarium (installation)
2016
springfest yoga retreat (video)
mandela trilogy (musical & opera)
2015
heart of redness (musical & opera)
the sun exchange (video)
2014
ouroboros (installation)
lilith & the garden of eden (installation)