The Suitcase Club Podcast

Stephan van der Walt
The Suitcase Club Podcast

Welcome to The Suitcase Club Podcast. TSC is a podcast that strives to empower Professional South African Performing Artists who are committed to their art and want to improve their craft. Here we have insightful conversations with successful professionals and industry leaders that will inspire us to commit to our art, to connect with our community and be uplifted, to build the habit of constant improvement and to become the best skilled artist we want to be. #Committedtoyourart

Episodes

  1. 07/21/2020

    Ep8. Pushing Passion with Rushney Ferguson

    Double Fleur du Cap Nominee, CATA Award Winner, Qualified ISTD Teacher , Tripple Threat Performer and Choreographer. This is the calibre of our guest on today’s episode. Rushney Ferguson started her theatre training at the Waterfront Theatre School in Cape Town at the age of 21. Here she completed her ISTD Advanced Exams as well as her Associate Teaching qualifications in various dance genres. Her Proffesional career took off with David Krasmer’s District Six: Kanala, Amper Famous and Langarm for which she received a Fleur du Cap Nomination for the role of Angelina. She was also dance captain in the revival production of King Kong: Legend of a Boxer. She has established herself as a choreographer working along side many local artists including Emo Adams having choreographed his shows of Brother Love 2, Emo Celebrates 30 years in muisc as well as his popular talent show, Maak my famous. She has also received a CATA Award for her choreography in Hope Stree: The Musical. Rushney has recently been in David Kramer’s Danger in the Dark for which she received another Fleur du Cap Nomination as well as playing oposite Marc Lottering in his production of Aunty merle - Iet’s a Girl. In this episode Rushney shares with us some incredible gems that she picked up throughout her career as choreographer, teacher, dance captain, nominated actress and triple threat. Connect with Rushney at: IG: @Rushneyferguson Twitter: @rushneyferguson Facebook: Rushney Ferguson Youtube: Rushney Ferguson * * * * Intro Music Track: Bluebird Artist: E's Jammy Jams Youtube Audie Library

    46 min
  2. 07/08/2020

    Ep7. The World of Musical Direction, Arrangement and Orchestration with Bryan Schimmel

    In our latest episode with speak to Award Winning Musical Director and Maestro Bryan Schimmel He is widely regarded as one of the top Music Directors, Arrangers and Orchestrators in South Africa. With a career of more than thirty years, he has worked in theatre, special events, recording and television across a full spectrum of music from rock bands to Big Bands, string quartets to symphony orchestras. pop to hip-hop. In 2017 he was awarded the 2017 ABSA Jewish Achiever Award in the category of Art, Sport, Science and Culture. He is also a ten-time Naledi Theatre Award nominee, and four time winner for Music Direction of CHICAGO, JERSEY BOYS and ANNIE and for Musical Arrangements of KNIGHTS OF MUSIC. He holds a Masters Degree in Music Cum Laude from WITS University. His credits include music direction of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, CHICAGO, JERSEY BOYS, WE WILL ROCK YOU, PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, ANNIE and RENT. In this episode Bryan shares with us his experiences of living in NYC, getting to work with big names lik Stephen Schwarts and what it really takes to be a Musical Director. From understanding the different lingo between the various departments, to feeling the full weight and responsibility of maintaining the integrity of the music and honouring the original composer's intentions. Connect with Bryan at: FB: Bryan Schimmel IG: @bryanschimmel LinkedIN: Bryan Schimmel Web: www.bryanschimmel.com * * * * Intro Music Track: Bluebird Artist: E's Jammy Jams Youtube Audie Library

    1h 20m
  3. 06/23/2020

    Ep6. Fitness, Inspiration and Motivation with Thalia Burt

    Ep6. Fitness, Inspiration and motivation with Thalia Burt Our latest episode is with the beautiful, inspiring and dynamic fitness instructor and performer Thalia Burt. Thalia started dancing at a young age at JazzArt in Cape Town. It was here where she got introduced to The Waterfront Theatre School and at the very young age of 15, got accepted to the school. Here she played leads in many musicals including A Chorus Line, Footloose, The Little Mermaid and Guys and Dolls. Her first professional production was in the International Touring Production of Cats, whereafter she performed in the South African and International Touring Productions of Joseph and the Amazing Techniclor Dreamcoat as well as Singin’ in the Rain. Currently Thalia is based in London where she had her West End Debut in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and she has also been in Aladdin. Other than theatre Thalia’s biggest passion is fitness. She is the owner of a very successfull online training business. She also recently launched her app. Thalia focusses on nutrition and fitness focussing on the individual and ensures that she drives each client to achieve their goals. Whether it’s to loose wait, gain muscle or to be in tip-top shape for that next audition. In this episode we talk to Thalia about her philosophy that drives her to the success that she is, the importance of fitness in our careers and how we can break through our barriers to achieve our goals. Connect with Thalia at: IG: @thalia_burt, @tranformwiththalia Web: www.thaliaburt.com #transformwiththalia * * * * Intro Music Track: Bluebird Artist: E's Jammy Jams Youtube Audie Library

    46 min
  4. 06/09/2020

    Ep5. Making Theatre with Jaco van Rensburg and VRTheatrical

    Our latest episode is with the passionate Jaco van Rensburg from VRTheatrical. Even though Jaco is an avid business man, he’s roots lies in performance. Jaco trained as a comtemporary dancer where after he obtained his B. Tech Degree in Musical Theatre. His performance career allowed him to be on local stages and international stages performing in productions including Jersey Boys, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Disney’s High School Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, Grease, Chicago and Rent to name but a few. Soon his career developed into the creative side of performance covering the roles of Resident Director and Choreogrpher on productions of Hot Mikado, Cinderella, The Vertical Hour, Little Shop of Horrors and more. In 2015, Jaco found VRTheatrical and with his business partner, Wessel Odendaal, they’ve taken the industry by storm. With productions such as I love you you’re perfect now change, Hedwig and The Angry Inch, Avenue Q, Rock of Ages, The Dead Tinder Society and Here’s to You: The Simon and Garfunkel Songbook, Jaco’s love for making theatre is undeniable. The Here’s to You: The Simon and Garfunkel Songbook is officially available on all streaming platforms. Don’t forget to go check it out! In light of the Covid-19 Crisis, VRTheatrical launched an online play writing contest. Soon the winners will be announced and the plays will be filmed and available online. For more information please visit their website at VRTheatrical.com. In this episode Jaco shares with us what it takes to be a producer. He reminds us of the incredible amount of factors that needs to be considered during the casting process and more importantly that we should never give up. Connect with Jaco and VRTheatrical at: Fb: Jaco van Rensburg Web: VRTheatrical.com Fb: @VRTheatrical * * * * Intro Music Track: Bluebird Artist: E's Jammy Jams Youtube Audie Library

    52 min

About

Welcome to The Suitcase Club Podcast. TSC is a podcast that strives to empower Professional South African Performing Artists who are committed to their art and want to improve their craft. Here we have insightful conversations with successful professionals and industry leaders that will inspire us to commit to our art, to connect with our community and be uplifted, to build the habit of constant improvement and to become the best skilled artist we want to be. #Committedtoyourart

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