The Suitcase Club Podcast Stephan van der Walt

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

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Intro Music

Track: Bluebird

Artist: E's Jammy Jams

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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

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Intro Music

Track: Bluebird

Artist: E's Jammy Jams

Youtube Audie Library

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

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Intro Music

Track: Bluebird

Artist: E's Jammy Jams

Youtube Audie Library

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

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Intro Music

Track: Bluebird

Artist: E's Jammy Jams

Youtube Audie Library

In our latest episode we talk to the multitalented actor and dancer Duane Notcutt-Williams.

Duane recently starred in the role of Mark in the new South African Netflix series Blood and Water.

He found his love for performing at a young age participating in community theatre shows in Cape Town. Later on he started dancing and created a career from it working with choreographers such as Debbie Rakusin and Rudi Smit. He then got the chance to work on major international film sets dancing in Honey 3, Bring it on 6 as well A Cinderella Story: If the shoe fits. He also starred in our own 7de laan playing the role of fashionista, Vernon.

Duane is very enthusiastic about the arts and the youth. He recently started a new online hip-hop platform with his wife, Cleo. Together they are Curly and Fro.

In this episode we discuss Duane’s journey from dancer to actor and his experience with Mark in Blood and Water.

Connect with Duane at:

Fb: Duane Williams / Official Duane Williams Page

IG: _d_will.i.am

To find out more about Curly and Fro or even to sponsor a dancer go to www.curlyandfro.co.za

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Intro Music

Track: Bluebird

Artist: E's Jammy Jams

Youtube Audie Library

In our latest episode of The TSC Podcast we have a very intriguing conversation with Jarryd Nurden about the importance and relevance of an online presence as a performing artist.

Jarryd has been in the industry for 10 years as model, theatre performer and actor. On the side he has been able to establish himself as influencer and public figure through his organic use of social media. He has performed in musicals including Cats, Singin’ in the Rain, Chicago, West Side Story, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and most recently as Rocky in The Rocky Horror Show. As model, he has been in various campaigns for big brands including Jockey, Ponds, 17 Magazine, Edgars and MNET.

Jarryd takes us through his journey and learnings of connecting with people, fans and followers, growing a strong network and finding the value in authenticity as he also shares with us some inside info to a new up and coming venture.

Connect with Jarryd at:

IG, Fb, Twitter @jarrydnurden

Natter with Nurden every Tuesday on IG Live.

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Intro Music

Track: Bluebird

Artist: E's Jammy Jams

Youtube Audie Library