Creativity can solve many social issues. We connect with Principal and Founder of Stageworx School of Performing Arts, Gemma Marnius and find out more.
Lindi Tshabangu, host #WordOfMouth weekly on www.ebizradio.com. We find out more about about Gemma, her life story, founding of Stageworx and their latest production of SHINE Digital.
SHINE! Digital explores the importance of creativity and SHINES a light on various community members and NPOs making change through the creative process.
Gemma has worked in the entertainment industry for over 25 years, starting her career as a performer, she then moved to mentoring and teaching young performers (Stageworx School Of Performing Arts), Producing Stage Shows (Born To Perform) and booking and creating bespoke entertainment for a variety of corporate, marketing and entertainment venues.
Originally from the UK, in her performance career Gemma performed in a variety of musicals both internationally and nationally including, Mama Mia, Boys In A Photograph, My Fair Lady, Hairspray, Jesus Christ Superstar and the ABBA show. She has worked with artists such as Robbie Williams and Gerri Halliwell and has toured the globe as a musical theatre artist, vocalist and dancer.
Gemma has a passion for the development of arts education in South Africa and works with Trinity London College and regularly consults with them on their syllabus. She is the owner and principal of Stageworx School Of Performing Arts which prides itself as the leader in arts education in South Africa.
Gemma is also the CEO of The Born To Perform NPC, which has produced over 6 full-scale productions, the most recent being the “SHINE” show at the Montecasino Teatro, which won the 2019 award for most entertaining stage show and highlighted young upcoming talent in South Africa alongside celebrity featured entertainment. The foundation has provided scholarships and bursaries for training in the arts for many upcoming performers that otherwise would not be able to follow this career path. She has also produced productions for the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra, Gold Reef City, Montecasino, The Roodepoort Theatre to name a few. Her vision is to spread the importance of arts education for the youth and assist in building the foundations for viable arts related business models in South Africa. In 2021 Gemma will be releasing her first book on navigating a career in the entertainment industry and is currently studying an MBA in Educational Leadership.
Stageworx is proud to present – SHINE! Digital – This screening will take place at Nu-Metro Cinema at Clearwater Mall on Saturday, 1st and Sunday 2nd April at 15h30 & 19h00. Shine! Digital is a musical variety show celebrating creativity in South Africa, with funding from the National Arts Council Of South Africa.
The original SHINE! stage show took place at The Teatro at Montecasino in 2019 and performed to sold out audiences with incredible audience reviews. Featuring the students and alumni of Stageworx, alongside segments with St Vincents School of the Deaf, One To One Africa in Eastern Cape and students from Trinity House Little Falls, SHINE! Digital explores the importance of creativity and SHINES a light on various community members and NPOs making change through the creative process.
Featured artists includes Stageworx alumni Refentse May with her original song Worthy, Bulelo Landman with Family Love Affair and Jamie Nell with an original song Someday, written by fellow Stageworx student Rachel Ralphs. Other standout and thought provoking numbers include a Michael Jackson Medley filmed at Constitution Hill and a collaboration between Stageworx Students and St Vincents School Of The Deaf in a Brave Musical Medley.
In response to the question, ‘Why digital?’, Founder and Principal of Stageworx; Gemma Marinus says; “The digital format allows us to spread our messaging to a much larger audience, while also teaching our students how to work within the digital content space as well as the live theatre space, which is becoming a necessity for sustainable artistic careers post Covid.“
Gemma continues; “We however, put as much emphasis on live theatre and the live show version of SHINE! Digital is already being conceptualised. In addition, many of our young creatives took on leadership roles behind the scenes in production management, choreography, direction, content design and songwriting, diversifying their performance talents to other areas.”
The SHINE! Creative team include Gemma Marinus, Bryan Schimmel, Dillonne Prince and Mullin Krienke with Matthew Marinus heading up the videography and content design with his team from Custom Content Collective.
Gemma concludes; “ It takes a team to produce something of this scale and we would like to thank all the teachers and parents of Stageworx, as well as the outside contributors, including the team at Howard Audio for the use of their beautiful recording spaces, Constitution Hill, Trinity House Little Falls, One To One Africa, Columba Leadership and Randpark Ridge Community. Alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much.”
To enjoy a taste of what to expect from SHINE! Digital, watch the promotional video: https://youtu.be/H8_UIrgtxsA
The screenings of SHINE! Digital will take place on Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd April at 15h30 & 19h00. Only 200 tickets are available for each of the four screening so book now to avoid disappointment.
Ticket Prices:
- SHINE! Digital – R150 per person
- Block Bookings and Family Discounts available.
Tickets can be booked by emailing Gemma Marinus at [email protected]
For general information, email Gemma Marinus on [email protected]
Connect with Stageworx School of Performing Arts Online:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stageworxperformingarts
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stageworx_/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StageworxArts
Website: www.stageworx.co.za
YouTube: Stageworx School of Performing Arts
