The National School of the Arts is proud to showcase their bright young talented performers during their annual NSA Festival of the Arts, running from Tuesday 6th – Sunday 11th March 2018 on the various NSA and Joburg Theatre stages.
Featuring a diverse programme of youth focused productions, the NSA Festival of the Arts, formerly known as Festival of Fame, is set for a 5-day celebration of art, dance, drama and music that is sure to delight Jozi audiences.
Headlining the impressive festival line-up is the flagship production; THE WIZ.
THE WIZ will be on The Mandela Stage at Joburg Theatre from Friday 9 March - Sunday 11 March.
This vibrant, feel good, award-winning Broadway musical is a magical retelling of Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz – the modern American fairy tale of Dorothy Gale who finds herself in the mythical Land of Oz following a violent tornado.
Audiences join Dorothy and her travelling friends, the Scarecrow, the Tinman and the Lion as they Ease on Down the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City to meet the magical WIZ. They all have a problem for the WIZ to solve; Dorothy needs to get home to Kansas, the scarecrow needs a brain, the Tinman a heart, and the cowardly lion courage.
Set against a uniquely urban backdrop of familiar landmarks and skylines, THE WIZ is an uplifting musical of good triumphing over evil, liberation, and self-discovery. Ultimately, THE WIZ encourages us to rekindle the transformative magic that resides deep in our hearts. Sometimes all you need is self-belief to set your course safely home.
The score is a dazzling mix of rock, gospel, R&B, and soul, and the emerging stars from the NSA will delight from curtain up to the finale.
“THE WIZ is a perfect musical for the National School of the Arts to present. I was privileged to sit in on all the auditions and the talent that we have in the school is truly breathtaking” said Brenda Sakellarides; Chairperson of the School Governing Body.
“It is with complete conviction that we can say that these voices will be heard over and over again on professional stages going forward. The stage is simply bursting with potential” concluded Sakellarides.
The production is in the inspiring hands of Director and choreographer Tracey Human. Additional choreography comes from Oscar Buthelezi and Laura Cameron, who recently joined the staff of the NSA’s Dance Department. Musical direction is by Marten Van Wyk. Digital projections are in the hands of award-winning scenic designer Wilhelm Disbergen while Cassandra Parsons brings her flair to the costume designs. THE WIZ will leave the audience with a beat in their feet and a melody in their hearts.
THE WIZ follows an impressive line-up of recent successful NSA musicals staged at Joburg Theatre; Schools Will Rock You (2017); Once on this Island (2016); FAME (2015) and Sweet Charity (2014).
The annual NSA musical allows the triple threat performers, those who can sing, dance and act, to shine. The role of Dorothy is played by Angella Mulaudzi who played Killer Queen in the 2017 production of We Will Rock You. The roles of the three friends are shared by Vuyo Maboe, Lesedi Masheane (Scarecrow); Nkosikhona Mnisi, Loyiso Gqanabisa (Lion); Tshepo Skosana, Deano Paulsen (Tin Man) ;while the title role of THE WIZ is shared by Tumelo Mogoashoa and Siphelele Siphiwa. Siphelele received a 100% scholarship to attend the Joffrey Ballet summer school for musical theatre in New York following the Musical Theatre Boot Camp which she attended in January courtesy of Duane Alexander and Anton Luitingh of MTW.
For perfect family entertainment, “Ease on Down the Road” with The National School of the Arts to the magical land of OZ. In a world of good and evil witches, munchkins, flying monkeys, dancing poppies, crows, mice and Emerald City Citizens, we find a message of hope, acceptance, love, and redemption. We recognise the lessons that Dorothy learns as she faces the reality of growing up in the happy and loving company of a Scarecrow, a Tinman and a Lion.
NSA Festival of the Arts is made possible through the generous support of the RMB Fund and The National Lotteries Commission.
Book by William F. Brown
Music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls
From the story “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum.
THE WIZ is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH,LTD.
THE WIZ
The Mandela @ Joburg Theatre
Performances:
Friday 9th March @ 9:30 & 19:30
Saturday 10th March @ 15:00 & 19:30
Sunday 11th March @ 15:00
Bookings through www.joburgtheatre.com
Tickets: R100 – R120
For group bookings of 10 or more, contact the theatre directly on 011 877 6853/6815.
Social Media Information
Twitter Handle: @NSAART
Instagram: nsaartschool
Hashtags: #NSAFestival #NSATheWIZ #NSADrama
For more information on The National School of the Arts and NSA Festival of the Arts, log onto www.artschool.co.za
Additional Notes to the Editor
The National School of the Arts – Realising Dreams through Excellence in Arts & Academics
The National School of the Arts (NSA), situated on the crest of the Braamfontein ridge, is South Africa’s leading arts school. It attracts creatively gifted learners from across the country and sub-continent, residing in the on-site hostel, to complete a full academic high school curriculum alongside specialised tuition in a choice of Art (visual, 3D and design), Dance (ballet, Spanish, contemporary and African), Drama and Music (classical and contemporary).
The NSA is classified as a School of Specialisation in Performing and Creative Arts and is acknowledged by the Education Department as a Centre of Academic Excellence. Creatively gifted learners need to pass an audition to gain admission to the school. The selection process is rigorous enabling the school to maintain high standards. The school consistently achieves a 100% pass rate. The class of 2017 achieved a 73% bachelor pass and 100 distinctions across the matric class earning the school the distinction of being the top performing Public school in the District. It is frequently listed as one of SA’s Top 25 Public Schools, is featured in the top 100 schools which includes all private schools and is also regarded as one of SA’s most innovative schools.
The NSA is proud of their distinguished Alumni who have gone on to excel not only in the arts and the creative industries but also in fields as diverse as medical science, environment, civil society and business: Charlize Theron, Marc Bouwer, Jeannie Dee, Kitty Phetla, Bianca le Grange, Vincent Bones, Dan Patlansky, Samson Diamond, Iain MacDonald, Sophia Welz, Bradley Shelver, Wesley Swain Lauder, Zoe Modiga, Robyn Sara Scott, Andrew Botha, Louis Viljoen, Shannon Glover, Meren Reddy, Zethu Dlomo, Ayanda Mdluli, Thandi Puren, Keke Chele, Tiffany Jones Barbuzano, Christopher Jaftha, Dale Newton, Karen Zoid, Laura Pauna, Dada Masila, Rui Alves, Thulu Sindi , Lorna Maseko, Helena Vogelzang, Kai Lossgott, Siphiwe Ngwenya, Frederico Freschi and many more.
The NSA is extremely proud to have played an important role in developing these individuals to reach their full potential. The NSA is a place where dreams and artistic aspirations are nurtured, and fledgling artists learn to fly.
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