The Performing Arts is one of the most rewarding, challenging, crazy, invigorating, inconsistent, unpredictable, and remarkable careers one could choose. There are many who believe that you don’t choose to perform – it chooses you! Why would anyone choose to live hand to mouth, consistently hustling for the next job, putting yourself ‘out there’ for the world to judge and for audition panels to criticise? Early in their careers, Performing Artists hardly ever find themselves in a position to qualify for a bond, a car, or even a credit card for that matter. No one in the Performing Arts is going to retire early, live off a hard-earned pension, or take a few months off to sail around the world on his or her yacht. So why on earth do we do it? Well, because for us Performing Artists, there simply is no other choice – we choose to follow our hearts and work our butts off to fulfil even the smallest desire to be on stage and to live and breathe our passion. We are wealthy in so many other ways and achieve something that no amount of money can buy; We do what we love and we love what we do.
We understand this desire all too well, and having had the privilege of working hand in hand with some of the best creative minds in our profession over the last 20 years, both as performers and creatives, we know that we are the right people to guide, nurture and steer the next generation of musical theatre performers into an industry that is not only sustainable but viable and rewarding. We have a vested interest in this industry, especially in this great country of ours where talent is abundant. We want to pass our knowledge and expertise onto those that have the raw talent, the passion and the drive to be more than just a fly by night starlet. Our goal is to train and produce the best Performing Artists in this country, making it possible for producers and creatives around the world to continue casting World-Class productions in South Africa and thereby creating work opportunities both locally and internationally for our country’s performers.
We could not be doing this without the help of a number of people. We have recruited an incredible faculty at the top of their game whom we are thrilled to have join us on our adventure of producing, nurturing and developing tomorrows stars. Our incredibly supportive families have seen us go from young performers to middle-aged creatives, and now to this privileged position of mentors and nurturers.
We especially want to acknowledge Pieter Toerien, who not only gave us our first opportunity of working on an international hit show, CATS, here in SA many years ago, but who has now given us this opportunity to take SA’s Musical Theatre industry to the next level. The industry would not be what it is today without Pieter Toerien who has almost single-handedly kept it alive for well over 20 years through global recessions and very difficult circumstances. We dedicate The Luitingh Alexander Musical Theatre Academy to Mr Toerien who has created opportunities for thousands of South Africans in the theatre business. Now LAMTA will do its part to ensure that Mr Toerien’s legacy is upheld, maintained and revered.
LAMTA is not just a conservatory styled establishment, where amazing teachers and professionals will come and impart some of their knowledge, wisdom and experience. It is not an Academy that churns out performers, throwing them out into the big wide world with a piece of paper and a heart full of hope. LAMTA promises to guide, mentor and prepare the most deserving talent in the country for a life in the industry. With a wide range of exceptional skills, our graduates will have no trouble securing their place in the industry primarily as performers, but they will also be equipped to step into any facet of the industry which they chose. With exposure to almost every aspect of the industry, from technical, creative, and administrative, our graduates will have every opportunity to diversify and remain versatile, again hugely increasing their employability and making them a valuable asset and a sought-after commodity for any producer, company or organization.
A LAMTA graduate will be someone who is reliable, professional, multi-skilled, multi-talented, well-prepared, and well-trained. This is our guarantee to the industry and to every student who comes through our doors.
To your success,