Creatives & Collaborators
Paul Griffiths
- Director
- Artistic Adviser
Paul’s professional career in theatre started as an actor in Musical Theatre Productions including Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar (National Tour), Evita (National Tour), Peter Pan, Camelot, Mame, and Fiddler on the Roof. He is also completed one season at Maynardville in The Taming of the Shrew.
Paul then moved to London and completed an MA with Distinction in Theatre Directing from Middlesex University – a course which included modules at The GITIS Conservatory in Moscow, RESAD Drama School in Madrid and master classes from The Berliner Ensemble. Following this course of study Paul shifted his career focus from being on stage to directing.
Upon his return to South Africa Paul joined the Waterfront Theatre School as a Senior Lecturer and in 2011 he was made a partner of the college. Paul continues to explore many freelance directing opportunities and is actively involved in new writing development, particularly as co-brain child of the Imbewu Trust’s annual scriptwriting competitions.
Jacques-Francois Du Toit
- Videographer
Jacques-Francois du Toit has always had a passion for cinematography and pursued this art form after studying at the Tshwane University of Technology where he graduated in 2009. After obtaining his degree in Motion Picture he joined the Hauke Digital Productions team.
By working on various projects he developed his skills as a cinematographer and developed a fashion inspired editing style which has been synonymous with Hauke’s brand. In 2014 he became partner and currently acts as Director as well as Brand Manager of Hauke Digital Productions which is busy transitioning into a marketing agency.
Closely working with big Companies such as FNB, RMB & Sasfin Hauke has been a content partner for many business in South Africa and abroad.
He has also presented a few successful workshops in Dubai which focused on expanding your creativity and finding a unique voice through the videos that you create.
www.haukefilms.com
David Fick
- Director
- Artistic Adviser
- Co-Writer
David Fick graduated with a Master of Arts in Theatre and Performance from the University of Cape Town in 2005, having previously graduated from the same university with a First Class Honours in Drama in 2002. Since graduating, he has performed in Benj Pasek and Justin Paul’s Edges, the Stephen Sondheim musical, Marry Me a Little, Cape Town Opera’s Lloyd Webber and Rice Spring Bouquet and in cabaret like Affirmation and Seasons of Love. Behind the scenes, he has worked as an assistant director to acclaimed theatre-makers Geoffrey Hyland (The Fantasticks) and Janice Honeyman (Hansel and Gretel). David has also has written and directed two musicals, Over the Rainbow and House of Shadows as well as several musicals for young audiences and performers, including The Snow Queen and Noah’s Ark.
Other productions he has helmed include The Diary of Anne Frank, The Crucible, Into the Woods and The Sound of Music. David also places great value on academic writing and research and won the Keswick Prize for his paper Homosexual Representation in the Broadway Musical: the development of homosexual identities and relationships from Patience to RENT.
David is passionate about his work in the education sector, having established the Drama Departments at Springfield Convent High School and South Peninsula High School. Earlier this year, he ran scriptwriting workshops for PANSA Eastern Cape’s Youth Theatre Project and saw the launch of two volumes of Junkets Publishers’ Now I Am Alone South African monologue books, of which he is one of the compilers.
Garth Tavares
- Musical Director
- Director
Garth has been involved in musical theatre since the age of 6 and completed his BMus degree in 2005 at the University of Port Elizabeth while also playing percussion for the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra. While most artists have a preference for a particular element of the theatre world, Garth finds himself passionate about everything from directing and choreographing to musical direction and performance.
While he has achieved success and won numerous awards in all of these spheres, his most proud moments include winning Eastern Cape Herald Showtime awards for Best Director in Junior Theatre (2008-2010), Best Contribution to Theatre Dance (2008-2010), Best Contribution to Theatre Music (2005, 2006 & 2008-2010) and Special Theatrical Achievement (2005 & 2007).
Recent work includes directing for the PE Gilbert & Sullivan Society’s “Back to Broadway”, musically directing the same society’s production of “High School Musical” and choreographing “Our House” for Woodridge High School.
He is currently lecturing musical theatre repertoire classes at the Waterfront Theatre School.
William Jones
- Choreographer
William completed his undergraduate training at the acclaimed Waterfront Theatre School in 2010; graduating with the highest level (A.I.S.T.D. Advanced 2) in Ballet & Modern. Having been appointed as a full-time staff member at the college William started working towards licentiate and obtained the sought after L.I.S.T.D. in Modern Dance (2013) and Classical Ballet (2014). William has also been appointed as head of the male training programme at the college; specializes in training the male dancer all genres.
William is also an award-winning choreographer, having worked predominantly in musical theatre, film and corporate events. His work includes “Home”, an all- male ballet (Driven by Dream; 2010), the Aqua Festival (2009), The Royal Adventures of Sophia Grace & Rosie (Warner Bros; 2013), Guys & Dolls (Artscape 2013) and Legally Blond (Masque 2014). Often asked to adjudicate at Festivals and Eisteddfods William also likes to perform when time allows and is part of the “The Company” which features high-end corporate entertainment in the Cape Town area. In 2014 William received the Artistic Contribution award for Choreography at the Cape Town Theatre Awards. Current projects include choreography for Pirates of Penzance (Artscape; June 2014) and You Bet Your Life! (Alexander Bar; March 2014)
Drew Rienstra
- Musical Director
- Director
He is the Artistic Director and Lead Vocal Coach for the Academy of Musical Theatre Cape Town, solely dedicated to private musical theatre training, proudly in residence at Enerchi Dance in Stadium-on-Main. Through AMT, he has coached leading talent from across the film and stage world, recently including actors from THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, SHOW BOAT, SUNSET BOULEVARD and the upcoming CABARET. Rienstra is the founder and director of Play Club, now in its’ third year, along with the brand new Film Club and Connect Stage + Film Magazine, community building initiatives now every Monday at Miao. With Play Club, he’s brought a wealth of international plays to South African soil including THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY OF STEVE JOBS, GOOD PEOPLE, ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS and many more, featured on BroadwayWorld, the Cape Times and FMR. The recent Play Club-hosted Dassie Awards garnered a staggering 20,000 hits on social media alone.
He comes to Cape Town via New York having worked on shows across the U.S. as a director, musical director, pianist and conductor. Favourites include JOHN & JEN (NYC), the European premiere of Kander and Ebb’s CURTAINS, regional U.S. premieres of THE DROWSY CHAPERONE and RENT, ALL SHOOK UP, CABARET, A CHORUS LINE, THE WEDDING SINGER, GYPSY, … SPELLING BEE, ALTAR BOYZ, MY FAIR LADY and many more. He’s had the privilege of working alongside Tony-winner Randy Skinner, Broadway director Norb Joerder and HAIRSPRAY original cast member Joe Abraham.
In South Africa, his recent work on UNDERSTUDY BLUES at the Galloway won him critical acclaim. He’s proud to make his SA directing debut with YOU BET YOUR LIFE.
Steven van Wyk
- Choreographer
- Performer
Steven van Wyk is a performer, choreographer and academic. He holds a Bachelor of Social Science in dance and anthropology with distinction (UCT), an Honours degree in Dance Studies with distinction (UCT), and an Advanced Performer's Diploma in Musical Theatre with distinction (Trinity College London) via the Waterfront Theatre School.
After many years in the theatre Steven made a career change to commerce which proved very stimulating and challenging. Currently Steven is a sought after Digital Marketing Specialist working on big South African brand campaigns and also consults within the entertainment industry.