KAREN RUTTER reports
There’s a term that gets bandied about quite a bit in theatre circles, and that’s “Triple Threat”. Simply put, it refers to somebody who can sing, dance and act – but there’s actually nothing simple about mastering these skills, sometimes using all three at the same time.
South Africans have increasingly begun to mark their place in the Triple Threat world of musical theatre – beginning with the first production of Cats that was brought to South Africa by Pieter Toerien in 2001 and performed with an all-local cast. What is needed, at this point, is a sustainable pool of talent to populate the demanding roles that musical theatre provides. It’s an extremely popular art form, as capacity audiences on both the West End and Broadway confirm – and when you add to this the recent successful cross-pollination of musical theatre with other genres, a world of never-ending possibilities opens up to the Triple Threat performer.
Training Triple Threats!
But how does one nurture this pool of talent? Enter LAMTA – The Luitingh Alexander Musical Theatre Academy, established primarily with the aim of training Triple Threat students to become competitive working artists in today’s industry. LAMTA is a partnership between musical theatre veterans Anton Luitingh and Duane Alexander (who between them have been involved as either directors, performers, dance captains or choreographers for nearly two decades, on all the major South African musicals from Evita to The Rocky Horror Show to Annie to Priscilla Queen of the Desert) and theatre impresario, supporter and legend Pieter Toerien. LAMTA is set to open its doors in January 2019, at the currently-being-renovated Theatre on the Bay, which will be the home for the new academy.
LAMTA will focus on small classes of only 20 – 25 students per year, who will gain admission through auditions. The beautiful Theatre on the Bay premises – overlooking stunning Camps Bay, and featuring a stylish 350-seater theatre – will be expanded to include six studios (with sprung floors, air con, sound equipment and/or pianos, and mirrors), changing facilities, a rec area for downtime between classes, wi-fi access throughout, faculty staff room, space for feedback sessions and more.
The LAMTA musical theatre course is designed as a three year programme specifically aimed at developing the technical and creative skills of students through classwork, workshops and masterclasses. Versatility is key, and there will be a focus on first rate acting ability with a high level of musicality and efficiency in dance. One on one singing classes, group vocal training, dance repertoire, improv, voice, accent work, audition preparation, theory, body conditioning and more will form part of the curriculum. There will be over 40 hours of contact teaching time and 20 hours of project time per week.
All aspects of the theatre business
In addition to training from experienced theatre practitioners and academics, students will also be expected to get involved in all aspects of the theatre business, from being an usher to front of house to working backstage. Exams will fall in terms two and four, and holidays will fall in line with the Western Province school timetable.
Certain key staff members have already been signed up. Apart from Luitingh and Alexander, staff will include Chris Weare (acting practical, improve and acting theory), Robin van Wyk (ballet), Ash Searle and Vanessa Harris (musical theatre and adage), and Shirley Johnston (acting practical), amongst other well known and respected names.
It’s an exciting new venture, one that is destined to swell the ranks of musical theatre performers in the country, and no doubt take standards to the next level. Luitingh and Alexander have dedicated LAMTA to Pieter Toerien, someone who has “created opportunities for thousands of South Africans in the theatre business,” they say. “Now LAMTA will do its part to ensure that Pieter Toerien’s legacy is upheld, maintained and revered.”
WS
