Sterlopers #ActressLife

Last night on kykNET was the debut night of the very first episode of the brand new Afrikaans youth series Sterlopers. Drama and intrigue, artists and relationships, dreams both realised and shattered. I really think this series is going to take the Afrikaans audience by storm and I hope it will be followed with much interest by the industry and with almost religious devotion by its fans.

I do have a certain personal bias, as I have many talented actor friends who are cast in the series; some who are celebrating their debuts along with the series and others who are just building their screen careers from strength to strength. It is so great to see fellow artists receive the opportunity to shine in their own right, doing exactly what they love to do and being celebrated for it. My hope is that this will open even more doors of opportunity for even more artists out there, just aching to be given the chance. 

Let me indulge in boosting my friends a little...

Marno van der Merwe (plays the character of Brad Jooste) - what can I say, he was designed for the screen and I had the privilege of watching him work on the Sterlopers set a few times...  

I am personally a big fan.

Follow him @marnovdmerwe.

Suzzi Swanepoel with this possibly being her first major screen credit, plays the layered Isabel Richter so well. I can't wait to see the rest of her character's story unfold. 

Follow her @SuzziSwanepoel.

Marlee van der Merwe (no relation to Marno) plays the feisty and manipulating Alexia Kriel. She is just gorgeous on camera and portrays the character you just love to hate and secretly envy with relish.

Follow her @MrsMarls. 

Nadia Beukes sinks her teeth into the character of Ingrid Cilliers. It's fabulous to see her in this kind of character that breaks away from her familiar presenting profile and showcases Nadia for the great actress she is. 

Jaco Muller (Henk) who in fact has several screen titles under his belt already, is just such a pleasure to watch. His ease and comfort, his comedic timing and brilliance. I happen to be long-time family friends with Jaco and I've a special sister-like feeling of pride and satisfaction when I see Jaco earn such well deserved roles, praise and recognition. 

Follow him @Jaco_Muller.

Trix Vivier, so beautifully cast in her role as Vicky Ferreira. She's the likable and relatable girl-next-door and another one to keep your eye on. 

Follow her @TrixVivier.

Zak Hendrikz, (only from ep. 3) as the music video director - his subtlety is genius. I wish I could climb into his head and figure out how he does that. Follow him @zakhendrikz.

Franci Swanepoel is magnificent and delightful in the role of Brad Jooste's mom, Lorraine. 

Charlie Bouguenon as the sleazy Joe de Villiers is an absolute scene -stealer. I wish we could see more of him. Follow him @TheCharlieGuy.

Jenna Dunster, whom I so admire for her incredibly strong performance and delightfully quirky character Emma Liebenberg, will undoubtedly become a crowd favourite. 

There are many other names to note and many who will only appear in later scenes... Izak Davel and Andre Swartz, who both just bring a level of professionalism to their work. The talented Edrien Erasmus, Marissa Drummond, Cobus Venter and Lare Birk, will all only appear later on in the season.
So, best you PVR those episodes on Tuesdays at 19.30!

Last night, many of the cast and crew gathered together in anticipation at the home of extraordinary Director Quentin Krog, to watch the first episode together. In my eyes Quentin has managed to truly set new parameters in this field, both with his on-set direction style and in his choices with post production and shooting style. Hats off Quin. Follow him @QuentinKrog. 

It was the best way to watch the first one, with so many individuals who shared a hand in the creation of the series rooting for each other and celebrating its fruition. The evening was filled with laughter and celebration and I feel a sense of pride in having had some small part in it. I was lucky enough to be involved on a creative level together with hubby Ferdinand Gernandt. Our company FADCreationS was responsible for the choreography and some staging of the series and we both thoroughly enjoyed working on this project. 

If you follow the episodes you may even glimpse me a few times as one of the dancers auditioning, rehearsing, shooting music videos and such. It was a crazy fun shoot and I would do it again in a heartbeat! 

Here's lifting a glass to Sterlopers Series 2!

Check out the trailer below for the season now running on kykNET every Tuesday at 19.30. 

Chat soon, 

Bread and Wine - An Easter Musical #Projects

It is the holy week of Easter and I had the privilege to have a hand in creating a musical production for Woord en Lewe church community, which opens this Thursday 17 April. Bread and Wine, an Easter Musical tells the story in a new and very tangible way to celebrate this important date on the calender. This experience makes you freshly aware of the impact Jesus' death and resurrection may have had on those who loved Him and those who hardly knew Him.

This project began months ago when the first rehearsals took place from early February and the cast of about 17 have been committed to give their time and talents for many weeks to finally produce a spirit-filled story with passion and purpose. It is remarkable to see the progress and growth over so many weeks and beyond that, the extraordinary bonds of friendship and family formed, the spiritual journeys and the deep attachment to each other and the project.

It was special to be asked by my friend and former colleague, Ettienne Booysen to choreograph and assist with direction on the production. I feel so honoured to have been given the opportunity to share and to receive so much. Ettienne is also the creator of the concept, the enchanting script and lyrics, many of the creative designs, project management and direction. It's been really great to work with him again and I so admire all that he puts into a project of this magnitude. I also got to work with two fabulous ladies again, Michelle Cronje  and Maryke de Kooker who are individually involved in the technical calling of the production, team coordinating, musical arrangement and direction. They are both such power-houses to have on any creative team.

It has been brilliant to get to know each cast member and to watch the piece unfold and slowly build every week, block for block to completion. I have huge admiration for the husband and wife team, Tommy and Elaine Ackerman, who took on this big project, believed in it, put in all the extra hours and energy to have it become a reality and even prepare for and play pivotal characters in the story. I wish them and the entire team of dedicated individuals working on Bread and Wine - An Easter Musical every success and blessing with the project. I trust that it will have God-led impact and influence on all who come to see it this week. Cannot wait for it to open on Thursday, and there are more performances on Good Friday and Saturday. If this is something you would love to see, just visit the Woord en Lewe website for info.

Happy Easter all, Much Love ~ 

Call Me Lee #OutAndAbout

Who knew that three gentlemen creating a world of characters around one piano on a black stage, could create such vivid colour and fullness. The production of Call Me Lee showing at Pieter Toerien's Montecasino Theatre, with a cast of three powerful performers, Jonathan Roxmouth, Weslee Swain Lauder and Samuel Hyde, had me engaged and enthralled from start to finish. And I just love that there are performers and artists out there brave enough to take the plunge of producing and investing in their own works. It's fantastic to watch original pieces created and produced locally, performed by incredibly gifted local talent and see it succeed and be well supported.

Samuel Hyde, who  plays the roles of Seymour Heller, Scott Thorson and various others, is the youngster of the three performers. Fresh out of Oakfields College, he has an ease and confidence rarely found in performers of his age and experience, and it was great to see him hold his own. With this being the launch of his professional career, there is only promise that lies ahead.




My talented friend and colleague, Weslee Swain Lauder never ceases to amaze me. Weslee plays Frances Liberace, George Liberace, Carlucci and others (including a fabulous frenchman), but I enjoyed the brother George and Liberace's mom especially. Brava Wessy, just superb!
If you read the program, Ian von Memerty (direction and choreography) writes a memoir about the night when the late Doyenne of SA theatre, Joan Brickhill first met Liberace during his South African tour in 1968. Joan and Liberace became life long friends and it is truly special to note that the mink stole Joan wore on the night she first met Lee, is now being worn in this production by Weslee, portraying Lee's mother.

Okay, Jonathan Roxmouth is just ridiculous. I knew he played and that he played well, but I had no idea he could play the piano quite like that! Those liquid fingers bring the sensational Liberace to life and added to that, his wonderfully endearing and sincere character portrayal draws you in, warms your heart and makes you fall in love with the man who would wink and say... 'Call Me Lee'.

It was another special evening at the theatre and I love that we get to expose our mentorship students to quality theatre and have them meet the real people, the working artists behind the characters on stage. Thanks guys and may you have a terrific run!
Call Me Lee is showing until 27 April, go and see it!



And just... Call Me Dee x

BPSE 2014 '96000' - Where Your Treasure Lies #Projects

We were so blessed with a wonderful group of incredible talents this year and if I may be so bold - I believe each one of them had a deeply impacting and life changing experience in the short space of time together - approximately 70 jam packed hours in 2 weeks. The Broadway Performance Showcase Experience workshop is intense, it is hard work, it is intimate and it is grueling.. but somehow it has the power to positively influence young individuals in such a significant way, something we can't orchestrate or plan - it just happens. 

At BPSE, you experience unnerving auditions, grueling vocal sessions, exciting studio recordings, exhausting dance rehearsals, detailed acting, plotting and staging and finally putting together a production in a top class theatre and learning what it takes to put up a musical theatre production from start to finish. But more than that, you experience the unity and bond of a tight-knit cast, how wonderfully positive and uplifting we can be in this industry and how many others share your passions, your talents, your dreams and hopes. A BPSE Grad will never forget the experience, the friends made and the lessons learnt. 

This is what one of our talented cast members of the BPSE 2014 production '96000' had to say a few days after our final day of the Broadway Performance Showcase Experience.

Roelien Prinsloo Message

Three of our candidates have been scouted by agents (can not reveal names yet) and will most probably be contacted and signed in the next month. One of our candidates was all set to go and study to become a chartered accountant and now stands on the edge of a major career and life changing decision having been ignited and inspired to follow his heart and passion. Many of our candidates are about to leave school and enter tertiary education, and have received invaluable input and guidance in their degree, diploma and institution choices. 

I believe one of the most valuable and memorable parts of our workshop to be the two hour Q and A session with high profile industry professionals from various job designations, sharing their hearts as well as their years of invaluable knowledge, expertise, networks and personal learnings. Every year it leaves me inspired and moved and excited about our industry, the people in it and especially those about to enter the wonderful world of theatre, screen, music and the performing arts.

BPSE has grown to be more than just an idea or a project, it has become a formidable team, passionate about providing this platform, in this way, to the many young impressionable artists out there; it has become a family of BPSE Grads all linked by what they love to do and committing themselves to be the very best versions of themselves.

We are so #grateful for a very successful two weeks of BPSE 2014 and the final performances of '96000 - Where Your Treasure Lies' at the Atterbury Theatre. 

To know more about the annual Broadway Performance Showcase Experience hosted by FADCreationS click here. 

These great pics from the production are courtesy of Photo Elements. 

Chat soon, 

Droomkind Opening #OutAndAbout

So blessed to be attending so much theatre at the moment. It truly is a testament to the health and growth of the industry and I love that I'm able to experience so many productions from the audience perspective and support all my friends and colleagues who share my passion and love for the stage.

It's a special thing to be able to experience theatre in your own home language and makes you feel not only proudly Afrikaans but also proudly South African to watch the original production of Droomkind - Die Storie van Josef come alive. There were many wonderful performances but the two performers I want to highlight, are Zak Hendrikz and Clint Arno Lesch. 

Clint (also Musical Director) plays a delightfully comic character who bursts into joyous song in the jail and I am so thrilled for him and his incredible vocals to be showcased in this way. Zak demands your attention as several characters in the production and creates a heart wrenching scene at the climax of the second Act, he is just one of the most intellectual, layered and committed actors I have come across and I so enjoy watching him in action.

Marisa Drummond is fabulous as the sassy Zelda and never disappoints, Bobby van Jaarsveld's velvet voice (and golden torso) is soaked up by the room who all just love to love Bobby. And Philip Moolman and Edrien Erasmus are heartwarming narrators of the well known story in its re-worked setting.  

Visually Droomkind is beautiful, with the stage design by Nadine Minnaar so clever, so practical and so seamless. Nadine creates magic, the State Theatre is so lucky to have her. The lighting, wardrobe and hair designs are wonderful. (I just love Marisa's hair as Zelda) But to me, the star of the show is the choreographer Timothy Le Roux, who's work is instantly identifiable for its finesse and sophistication, for its effortless transitions and how he manages to make anyone executing his work look magnificent. It always makes me wish he had choreographed it on me. I believe Tim to be such an under-appreciated gem in our industry and I really hope that he will be celebrated and revered as he deserves to be.

Renier and Lise-Marie Keyser, Elizma Badenhorst, Timothy Le Roux, Clint Lesch, Matthys Maree and the Droomkind company can feel very proud of a great production, I wish them every success with their run. It was certainly a lovely Sunday afternoon out with my hubby after a very busy two weeks and I felt blessed to have been there. 

Chukkas Droomkind Co - Toi Toi!

Love, 

Clowning Around with The Playroom #FlashbackFriday

It's a photographic flashback today, to a shoot with photographer Jacky Joubert (my wonderfully talented sister) from The Playroom, fabulous make-up artist Gerlia Groenewald and my friend and male model for the day Jarryd Nurden. We had so much fun on this shoot and I just love these shots, they are some of my favourites.

Happy Friday everyone! Have a wonderful weekend and hope to see you at our Broadway Performance Showcase Experience performances at the Atterbury Theatre tonight and tomorrow! Tickets here. 

Photos by The Playroom. 

Chat soon, 

#SCARS The Movie #ComingAttractions

Dreams are born with a seed of a thought and grown through countless steps of action and loads of passion, faith and belief. #SCARS was a seed, a thought, a concept and has grown to become the potential realisation of not one person's dream, but many.

Hashtag Scars (#SCARS) is a teenage adventure film, a story about four random teenagers pulled together by fate when they realise they have two things in common; superpowers and one sinister neighbourhood mom. It is a project that has been blessed from the very beginning with so many individuals willing to contribute and invest their time, skills, money or energy in helping the development of this dream.

(Read more about this project here.)

This incredibly exciting project is the brain child of my hubby, Ferdinand and has been in development for just over a year now. A major amount of legwork in the development phase has already been completed, including the filming of an exciting new teaser trailer. It gives you a great feel for what's to come...
#SCARS Teaser Trailer 

It is so incredible to watch something come alive from concept phase to the written word, to images and possible shots and locations..

Some of the teenage cast members have already been pencil booked and let me tell you, there are some truly incredible talents in this country and we strive to give them the creative platforms they deserve. I am truly excited for all the possibilities it may bring for the young stars who will make their debut with this project and dream of great careers within this industry. There are 4 great main characters who drive the story: Ariana, Chloé, Shane and Tshepo. Then there's the antagonist character, Vanessa - a wonderfully meaty role and I feel so privileged and excited to be playing her. I really hope I will do her justice when the time comes. I can't wait to be on set and see the story come alive.

We are now in the process of sourcing the final funding and investment for #SCARS, which some say can be the hardest part of producing a film. But we already have so much support, I just know that in no time we will be green lit and shooting the first scene of this remarkable project. We are also currently running a crowd-funding campaign on indiegogo, and would love for you to check it out.
Just follow this indiegogo link.

We are daily working on the #SCARS campaign and development and I can not wait to let you know when we're finally in production. So keep an eye out and watch this space!