Jon-paul Ruschenbaum and the cast of Joseph in the 2019 production at The Playhouse.
The 75-year-old Playhouse Theatre in Somerset West has re-opened with shows and its regular hires, and is also home to the Helderberg Academy of Theatre (HAT), an initiative by chairman and director Darryl Spijkers and fellow musical director and performer Jon-paul Ruschenbaum.
Classes every Monday in the disciplines of Drama, Singing or Musical Theatre is what HAT specialises in, offering kids, teens and adults the chance to learn, express themselves, refine their auditioning skills and develop talents they have.
Between the two directors teaching the classes lies a powerhouse of over 40 productions performed in or directed from the Playhouse to the Artscape.
During the government school holidays, HAT will host the following workshops:
Wednesday 28 April – Musical Theatre Skills using Frozen (Grade R – 3), The Lion King (grade 4 – 7) and Cats (Grade 8 +). There is also a Musical Theatre Dance option focusing on Chicago.
Thursday 29 April – Vocal Singing Skills, Acting Techniques and Musical Theatre Dance (repeat of Chicago).
“The great thing about having an academy in Somerset West where children from age 6 can start learning about the theatre, is that they do not need to travel all the way to Cape Town. Talented individuals who do audition for the prestigious theatre schools will only be stronger and better developed once they have attended HAT,” explains vocal coach Jon-paul.
For more information, contact administrator Bryoni Currin at
helderbergacademyoftheatre@gmail.com or whatsapp 073 551 0698.