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August 31, 2017
Performing Arts

Catching up with some of our Musical Theatre and Dance Graduates (Aug 2017)

We are so pleased to say that our Musical Theatre and Dance graduates are steadily forging successful careers for themselves. Here’s what has been keeping some of them busy…

  

Alyssa Harrison

Immediately after graduating, Alyssa was offered a contract as production assistant by one of SA’s top theatre tech companies SPLITBEAM (a division of Gearhouse) following which she was cast in the new musical TIGER BAY which premiered at Artscape Opera House presented by Cape Town Opera in association with the Wales Millennium Centre.

She will soon start rehearsals for the international tour of THE SOUND OF MUSIC in which she has been cast as second cover for the lead role of Maria. The show will open in Manila in the Philippines and will then travel to Singapore, Macau, Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Alyssa is signed with Afro Celt Productions Agency.

 

 Angela Sparks

After playing the lead role in PIPPIE LANGKOUS for the National Children’s Theatre, Angela made her television debut in the role of Lindie Graham on the daily soap BINNELANDERS. Angela is signed with acclaimed agency Artist Connection.

 Ashleigh Butcher

Ashleigh’s numerous theatre credits include: ROCKY HORROR SHOW, which ran at the Fugard Theatre in Cape Town as well as the Pieter Toerien Theatre in Joburg; Kickstart production’s SHREK THE MUSICAL and PUSS IN BOOTS at the Lyric Theatre and TIGER BAY at Artscape Opera House. She shot a TVC commercial for Maggi Senses SA and spent two months in India as a dancer for IPL and has also gained valuable experience casting and editing at Gstop Casting Agency. She will soon be commencing rehearsals for ROCK OF AGES produced by VR Theatrical and Gold Reef City. Ashleigh is represented by Viclectic Artist Management.

 

 Caitlin Salgado

Caitlin played various roles in the production SEX & ME directed by Craig Morris. She also starred in GYM AND TONIC (written and directed by Tim Plewman) at the National Arts Festival. She acted as youth chaperone for the musical ANNIE and is currently completing a contract for Hooked on Books which tours to various schools across the country. Caitlin is part of the Artist Connection agency.

 Carmen Tromp

After graduating, Carmen performed in the hit musical SISTER ACT at the Joburg Theatre before joining the production SNEEUWITJIE at Emperors Palace as well as Seussical Jr and WINNIE THE POOH at Peoples Theatre. Carmen is signed with Viclectic Artist Managements.

 

 

Casey-Jane Ekron

Casey is currently performing for the educational theatre company HOOKED ON BOOKS which tours to various schools across the county. As the end of this year she will join the ROCK OF AGES team as assistant stage manager at the Lyric Theatre. Casey is signed with the reputable agency Contractors Artists.

 

Daniel Fisher

Daniel performed in Janice Honeyman's pantomime, SLEEPING BEAUTY at the Joburg Theatre following which he spent a term in Spain as a singer for Lightfever Promotions. He was involved in a corporate contract for CCH Productions, performing a Broadway tribute show, before joining the cast of Kickstart Productions’  SHREK THE MUSICAL at the Lyric Theatre. His most recent contract was in the musical FUNNY GIRL at the Fugard Theatre. Daniel is represented by Viclectic Artist Management.

 

 Donae Brazer

Since graduating Donae has done numerous productions for On Cue Theatre such as THE ADVENTURES OF KING ARTHUR ; MACBETH; THE CRUCIBLE ; ANIMAL FARM and THE ENCHANTED FOREST to name but a few. Most recently she was part of the cast in the hit musical PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT that ran at Artscape Theatre in Cape Town and the Teatro in Joburg. She will soon travel with the PRISCILLA company to Hong Kong as part of the international tour. Donae is represented by Contractors Artists.

 

Elsje Lourens

After graduating, Elsje signed with one of SA’s top agents: Artist Connection and recently shared the stage with Charlize Berg and Bianca Le Grange in the Afrikaans pantomime DORINGROSIE at Theatre of Marcellus at Emperor’s Palace. Elsje represented by Artist Connection agency.

 

Emma Campbell

Following her graduation Emma performed in SPARTACUS OF AFRICA at the Joburg Theatre and completed her RAD Dance Teachers’ qualification. She is now Head of Dance at Reddam House Waterfall Estate where she also runs the afternoon dance academy.

  

Felicia Mrwebi

Felicia Mrwebi has been involved in numerous corporates in a variety of roles such as a LED ballerina at the Bridal Fair at Monte Casino and performing for RMB at Sun City. Over and above her career as a performer, she has also taught dancing at a primary school for children with special needs as well as teaching contemporary classes at Beverly Acquisto Studio of Dance. She completed her contract as a dancer on the Silja Symphony Cruise Ship travelling between Sweden and Finland and is currently employed as a Vodacom Bull’s Babe. Felicia is signed with 4th Wall Management.

 

 

Gia Jacobs

Gia is currently performing as a singer at Gold Reef City for various corporate and entertainment productions for Frog Productions. Gia is represented by Artist Connection.

 

JP Rossouw

JP Rossouw performed in A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD at the National Children’s Theatre as well as the Afrikaans pantomime, SNEEUWITJIE at Emperors Palace alongside Karlien van Jaarsveld before starting rehearsals for SHREK – THE MUSICAL which ran at the Lyric Theatre Gold Reef City. He was also a presenter on RIVONINGO, a Children’s Educational programme on SABC 2. Most recently he performed in the Afrikaans pantomime DORINGROSIE at Emperor’s Palace, PUSS IN BOOTS at the Lyric Theatre and the Fugard Theatre’s WEST SIDE STORY which ran at the Joburg Theatre. JP is signed with Viclectic Artist Management.

 

 

 Jana Louw

Jana received a Naledi Award Nomination for her role as Princess Fiona in SHREK - THE MUSICAL. JR produced by the People's Theatre. She is represented by acclaimed agency Artist Connection.

 Jonathan Raath

During his third year studying dance and musical theatre at Oakfields College, Jonathan landed a role in the musical ANNIE (produced by Pieter Toerien and Hazel Feldman) which ran at the Teatro at Monte Casino in Joburg as well as Cape Town’s Artscape Theatre. Following this he was immediately contracted to perform in the musical PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT which also ran at the Artscape Theatre and the Teatro. He is currently completing a run of THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA at the national Children’s Theatre before re-joining the PRISCILLA production which is set to leave for Hong Kong as part of the international tour. Jonathan is signed with Viclectic Artist Management.

 

 

Kaylan Sabbadin

Kaylan has been doing numerous gigs as a dancer at the new Menlyn Main Casino. She recently featured as a fitness model for the launch of the Ludas Athleisure brand and is currently performing at the People’s Theatre playing the title role in CINDERELLA. Kaylan is signed with Contractors Artists.

 

Keaton Ditchfield

Keaton has a number of professional roles to his credit including two of Janice Honeyman’s pantomimes at the Joburg Theatre: SLEEPING BEAUTY and ALADDIN as well as the musicals PIRATES OF PENZANCE (Auto & General Theatre on the Square), STARLIGHT EXPRESS (Joburg Theatre) and WEST SIDE STORY (Artscape Opera House), KHOKHO'S TREASURE (for the National Children’s Theatre) and SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER at the State Theatre. Most recently he performed in the world premiere of the new musical TIGER BAY at Artscape Opera House in Cape Town and is looking forward to starting rehearsals soon for Pieter Toerien’s EVITA set to run at Artscape in Cape Town and the Teatro in Joburg. He is also co-owner and director of its Tipp Topp Fishing. Keaton is represented by Artist Connection.

 

Laura-Lee Pitout

Laura-lee is currently playing the part of Tamara in the world premiere of the new and original musical, Calling Me Home on The Mandela Stage at Joburg Theatre. Laura-Lee is signed with Contractors Artists.

 

 Mervyn Bartholomew

Mervyn’s landed his first professional production playing the lead role of Amadeus in the national tour of the Barnyard’s production: AMADEUS ROCKS following which he joined the national tour with the great Moscow Circus as their keyboardist. He will soon start rehearsals for the international tour of THE SOUND OF MUSIC which will open in Manila in the Philippines and will then travel to Singapore, Macau, Cape Town and Johannesburg.

 Michael Fullard

After graduating, Michael was cast in the production SNEEUWITJIE at Emperors Palace. He then went on to perform in the musical ANNIE (produced by Pieter Toerien and Hazel Feldman) which ran at the Teatro at Monte Casino in Joburg as well as Cape Town’s Artscape Theatre. Following this he was immediately contracted to perform in the musical PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT which also ran at the Artscape Theatre and the Teatro. He also danced in the ELECTRICITY music video released by Cazz. Michael is represented by Viclectic Artist Management.

 

Nadine Grobbelaar

Upon completing her musical theatre training, Nadine was offered a contract for the musical PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT which also ran at the Artscape Theatre and the Teatro. She recently recorded backing vocals for a new release with Danny K and will soon re-joining the PRISCILLA production which is set to leave for Hong Kong as part of the international tour. Nadine is represented by Viclectic Artist Management.

 

 

Naret Loots

Over and above pursuing a career as a performer, Naret has also been involved in numerous productions behind the scenes and is currently props maker and dresser for the play THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP at the Pieter Torien Theatre and Theatre on the Bay. She also performed in MR POPPERS PENGUINS at the National Children’s Theatre and toured nationally with the educational production HOOPVOL by Pit Productions. Naret is signed with PMA agency Artist Connection.

Nicolene During

Nicolene has been kept busy performing in numerous corporate events for Frog Productions. She is also a teacher at IDA (Iggy's Dance Academy) where she teaches jazz, contemporary, ballet and tap as wells as choreograph for the studio. She is one of the founding members for WLDFSA (World Lyrical Dance Fed. South-Africa). She has also branched into other technical fields and worked with the sound departments for ANNIE and WEST SIDE STORY. Nicolene is represented by 4th Wall Management.

  

Nina Botha

Nina is currently teaching ballet at Sharon Viljoen School of Dance, while pursuing her freelance career. She was most recently seen in Add-Life productions’ pantomime DORINGROSIE at the Theatre Marcellus at Emperor’s Palace. Nina is also currently completing her DASA dance teachers diploma and will be starting her RAD teachers’ diploma in August. She is a qualified pilates instructor and is the founder and owner of Ignite Postural Pilates. Nina is signed with Contractors Artist.

 

Pasha Dos Santos

Pasha is currently a dancer/cheerleader for the DHL Stormers and regularly performers at COCO, Shimmy Beach Club, Club 41 and a few other Cape Town clubs. She recently finished shooting a bit-part in the movie the Dark Tower featuring Matthew McConaughey and can currently be seen in the VI FIT overseas commercial. She has also been featured as a fitness model in the latest Virgin Active SA Barre 180 campaign. Theatre performances include various parts in Janice Honeyman’s Peter Pan pantomime at the Joburg Theatre, the musical Rockville 2069 at Artscape and a burlesque show at Gate 69 in Cape Town. She has danced in a variety of corporate events and is a qualified pilates instructor and co-owns her own pilates/yoga studio in Milnerton. Pasha runs a successful pilates Instagram page under @pashapilates where she post daily, instructional videos.  Pasha is signed with Viclectic Artists Management.

 

 

Rone Smit

Rone teaches for three different Dance Academy’s as well as running her own studio and has choreographed a number of school productions. She has recently been judging for Talent Africa and has been invited to judge on the MSC cruise line.

 

Samuel Hyde

After graduating, Sam joined the international tour of the hit musical SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN which ran in New Zealand, Singapore, Manila, Hong Kong and South Africa. Other musical theatre credits include: SPAMALOT at the Joburg Theatre, Priscilla-Queen of the DESERT (Artscape and the Teatro), Mr Poppers Penguins (National Children’s Theatre), SHREK – THE MUSICAL (the Lyric Theatre Gold Reef City), Janice Honeman’s pantomime PETER PAN (Joburg Theatre) and Jonathan Roxmouth’s CALL ME LEE (Pieter Toerien Theatre) He will soon re-join the cast of PRISCILLA for the international tour to Hong Kong. Sam is also pursuing his career as a recording artist and is currently completing his indie/rock inspired debut album. Sam is represented by Artist Connection.

Sean Louw

Upon launching his career, Sean was involved in a number of productions for the National Children’s Theatre including Freckleface Strawberry, The Revealers and The Wizard of Oz following which he did numerous corporate gigs for Frog Productions, Owen Lonzar Entertainment and Verb Media dancing, singing, hosting and MCing. Sean completed his local contract in Janice Honeyman’s pantomime SLEEPING BEAUTY at the Joburg Theatre before relocating to the UK where he signed with an agent and spent some time working as an actor/model in London. Upon his return, Sean joined the cast of Wild Coast On Broadway for Frog Productions as singer before starting Kickstart Productions’ Puss in Boots playing Tom Marzipan at the Lyric Theatre. He recently made an appearance on the local TV series Skeem Saam on SABC1. Sean is also a part-time model and is signed with Boss Models JHB and has just completed a shoot for Risk Magazine with Rich Mnisi. Sean is currently signed with top local agency: Artist Connection.

 

Tyla Nurden

While still studying at Oakfields College Tyla was offered a contract to join the cast of BLAME IT ON BOLLYWOOD as a dancer at the Teatro as part of her Work Integrated Learning credits. Since graduating she has been kept busy with continual corporate gigs as a dance/singer for Frog Productions including the production Wild Coast On Broadway. She recently completed her contract in the musical FUNNY GIRL at the Fugard Theatre in Cape Town and is also currently a fitness trainer at Switch Playground in Lonehill. Tyla is signed with the prestigious Viclectic Artist Management.

 Venolia Manale

Venolia made her professional debut in Janice Honeyman's pantomime SLEEPING BEAUTY at the Joburg Theatre before moving onto Pieter Toerien’s JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOUR DREAMCOAT which ran in Cape Town, Joburg and Port Elizabeth before embarking on a yearlong international tour including Auckland, Wellington and the Christchurch in New Zealand. She was then cast as a singer for TUI Cruises and is currently performing and travelling to various countries such as Germany, Italy, Malta, Norway, Croatia to name but a few. Upon her return she will join the musical THE COLOR PURPLE which will have its South African premier at the Joburg Theatre in 2018. Venolia is signed with PMA agent: Viclectic Artist Management.

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