2010 Teaching staff announced

Helen O'Grady Drama Academy teachers undergo intensive training and have had a wide experience in theatre arts as well as teaching young people. The Academy's teachers come from a teaching or performance arts background, and high standards are maintained by quality and regular training. The aim of the Academy is to develop an strong base of teaching expertise that can be developed so that the children and adult classes get the best and latest drama methods to promote very quick developments. Here is a list of the staff teaching at the Academy in the Western Cape:

Duncan Rice - Principal
Duncan studied drama in South Africa, where he was born, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. He was Head of Drama at St John's, Cambridge, in the United Kingdom before becoming the Helen O'Grady Principal for Northern Ireland. Over the course of his career he has acted in film and theatre, but most particularly established himself as a director of many innovative children's productions, aimed at bringing young people together from all communities and backgrounds. He recently received an Award from the British Franchise Association for his innovative work with the Academy in Northern Ireland, where he established the largest drama school in Ireland, and the largest branch in the world wide network of the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy with over 1300 students. Many of these students have appeared in major films, television, radio and the theatre.

Beth Daniel – Vice Principal

Beth’s interest in the Dramatic Arts began at the tender age of 10, after she took her first leading role in her primary school play! Since then there has been no stopping her dramatic development and flair, winning major awards during school as she pursued her passion for acting into her Matric years and beyond. Beth studied Performance Arts at the University of Stellenbosch and holds a Bachelor of Drama Degree. She has a wide experience of performance, having acted in numerous theatrical productions, film and many advertisements, of which she has played some leading roles. Beth’s passion lies in developing young people and apart from her active involvement in children’s theatre, she has also worked very closely with young people with learning and physical disabilities in the United Kingdom. She believes strongly in using drama as a tool to heal young people.

Scott Cooper – Teacher

Scott was born in East London, but did his schooling in Cape Town. He has travelled the world, but has a great passion for acting. He completed his bachelors in acting at the South African School Of Motion Picture And Live Performance. And has trained under renowned South African actress, Aletta Bezuidenhout. Scott, still young in his career, has appeared in numerous television commercials, stage productions and international feature films. Scott believes that through drama one can really grow in many areas of ones life. Having been doing drama from a young age it has given him more confidence in himself. And confidence and self belief goes a long way, and the children at the Helen O Grady Drama Academy he believes are at the right place.

Angela Doidge - Teacher

Angela discovered Drama at a young age and took part in every school play in both primary and high school; as a result she received many drama awards throughout her school career, she soon realised this was her passion. She went on to study Drama at UCT and then completed a post-graduate certificate in education and became a Drama teacher. After teaching in South Africa and Botswana, Angela spread her wings and took off to the UK where she taught Drama at an inner city school in London. When an exclusive private school in Switzerland came calling Angela went to live in the Swiss Alps and became head of the Drama department. With her diverse experience in teaching, Angela returned to Cape Town to share the knowledge she had learned abroad. Angela firmly believes that Drama is incredibly important as it develops self confidence, creativity and a sense of self worth. She is very excited about the diversity that the Helen O’Grady Academy brings and looks forward to learning, teaching and having fun!

Christie Fawcett – Teacher

Christie has always had love for drama. She became involved in all areas of drama from a very young age. This passion continued through high school where she took drama as a subject for Matric and received a 91% aggregate for her Matric finals. She then studied a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Drama and Psychology at the University of Cape Town. She was involved in numerousproductions through out her University and School career. She was offered Honours in Drama due to her exceptional results. It has always been her dream to pass this love onto others.

Niki Hodson – Teacher

Niki discovered drama at the age of 13 and since then has never looked back! She has strong gifts in all areas of performance, and her vibrant enthusiasm and passion for drama has led her to the Academy. Studying Speech and Drama through Trinity College, London, playing leads in school plays and winning prizes through her years at the Cape Town Eisteddfords, the natural progression was to study B.A. Drama at UCT and thereafter a Film-acting Diploma with the ScreenActor's

Studio. Niki has since then been involved in many areas of acting, as well as children’s theatre and Theatre in Education Programmes through the University. Her aim is to encourage young people to be creative and express themselves through the dramatic arts. Her energy and commitment to the Academy’s methods make her a vital part of the staff and she is much loved by the students.

Anastacia Isaacs – Teacher

Anastacia was born and grew up in Cape Town. She always had a keen interest in theatre and film and it’s influencing factors. After matric she worked for a pharmaceutical company and during this time she also joined the Bonteheuwel Film Society. She studied part-time computing through Damelin and also attended various theatre and directing workshops. She also ran literacy classes, a film and drama club and various other projects at BAGKDROPS, a NGO in Bonteheuwel, working with unemployed youth. She has a passion for people and believes that with the right academic qualifications, she will also be better equipped to serve the broader community. She plans on studying film-making at City Varsity in 2009. She thanks the Helen O’ Grady Drama Academy for giving her the opportunity to realize her dreams of becoming a director.

Elloise Kennell - Teacher

Elloise is a Capetonian and a UCT Drama Graduate. She completed an eight year stint in the UK, worked at the Arts Council of England, Channel Four Television Station and did various other projects in the music industry while abroad. On returning to South Africa she has spread her wings further and extended her banking background and worked at one of SAs lending Private Banks. Elloise’s creative bug was never far but the calling to return to Drama and teaching has been there for a while. Elloise is married to Eric and has two beautiful daughters – Mia Rose and Chloe Lin

Angela Lee-Wright

Angela Lee-Wright was born and bred in Cape Town and has been performing ever since she managed to form her first word! After studying for Bachelor of Education, she quickly realized that drama was her great passion, and through the Cape Academy of Dramatic Art (CADA) she achieved a Distinction for her Gold Performance Examination from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA) and Distinction for her Performance Diploma from Trinity Guildhall of London. As an actress, she has performed in and directed several productions, most notably at The Masque Theatre in Muizenberg, and recently she has proved herself an accomplished playwright. She believes that good drama teaching holds the key to success in life and her Licentiate of Speech and Drama Teaching from Trinity Guildhall and natural talent has equipped her well to be inspired teacher. She loves working with children of all ages (even those who are not quite children anymore!)

Jeffrey Moss - Teacher

Jeffrey has a Diploma in Education and has been teaching for many years. His passion lies in teaching Drama, Dance, Music and Visual Arts. He also attended the City Varsity Film, Television and Multimedia School and has received numerous diplomas and certificates for his performances as an actor and a director. He has appeared in television dramas, international adverts and he has been an extra in a Hollywood movie. Jeffery’s enthusiasm for drama has allowed him opportunities to perform in many countries round the world but back at home, he has also been intensely involved in the organisation of community drama projects including talent shows, crime prevention through film, TB, AIDS, drugs, alcohol and child abuse. Jeffrey writes, directs and even acts in his own films and he is passionate about including young people as well as adults in his work. With all these wonderful attributes, he is a great asset to our Academy.

Beatrice Pook – Teacher

Beatrice grew up backstage at the Berlin Opera House, where her father was a pianist and her mother an artist and a teacher. Drama was a natural part of her life and she chose an artistic career of an animation designer, creating colourful, educational movies for children’s television programmes. Since 1985, in South Africa, she has taught arts and creative skills, making puppets for theatre as well as many costume designs for productions. With community and creativity on all levels as her greatest passion, she has helped to initiate two schools and three kindergartens For many years she has worked with people with special needs and also became a qualified massage therapist. Beatrice firmly believes that creative expression and movement is needed for our own wellbeing, and therefore it makes sense that she is a drama teacher in our Academy!

Gavin Pollock - Registrar
Gavin was born in Ireland, and has a strong connection with the arts, having been an accomplished set and costume designer. As well as having an extensive banking background, he has also worked throughout the United Kingdom in the interior design and the fashion fields. His work was recently featured by the B.B.C. Being responsible for the development and success of the Academy in Ireland, Gavin will bring much enthusiasm and creativity to the Cape Town Academy. Gavin is normally the first point of contact for parents and students in the office.

Sunette Strydom – Teacher

Sunette’s love for drama started when she was only 8 years old in Bloemfontein. She kept doing drama throughout her primary years and started developing more prominent skills by taking drama as a subject in high school. It was only natural for her to persue her love for the arts by studying drama at the University of the Free State where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Drama and Theatre Arts with merits! She has also been involved with film and television since moving to Cape Town. Sunette has been involved with many children’s productions since completion of her studies. Her passion for teaching children and youth shows clearly through her vibrant and uplifting personality.

Bertia van Greunen-Brady - Teacher

Tia was bitten by the drama bug at the young age of six when she starred in her first musical as Gretel in the school play, ‘Hansel and Gretel’. Since then there was no stopping her. She went on to matriculate from Principia College, in Oudtshoorn with numerous productions under her belt, as well as a couple of awards for best junior director at the George Schools Art Festivals. Her passion for the arts continued as she completed her Speech and Drama studies at the University of Stellenbosch, making a name for herself in Cabaret and Musical theatre as well as Pantomime.Tia firmly believes that the theatre is a place for growing up, and learning how to be the best version of ‘Me’ with confidence. “The world is a stage…” after all, and we should all be allowed opportunities to perform, and steal the show!

Bernadette Van Wyk - Teacher
Bernie loves to educate, entertain and enlighten. She received her Bachelors Degree of Drama from the University of Stellenbosch in 2003. Shortly after completing her studies she moved to North America where she joined the Portland Physical Theatre Group who performed all over Oregon. She then was involved with Cascade Productions where she worked as a Production Assistant on a short film "The Alien" that was broadcast on SKY TV in 2008. Bernie also gained experience has a language consultant in Japan where she taught English and Speech classes through drama. Teaching drama has always been a great passion of hers. She strongly believes that
“ Learning is finding out what you already know. Doing is demonstrating that you know it. Teaching is reminding others that they already know it just as well as you. We all learners, doers, and teachers.”

Sue Wigham - Teacher

Sue's first experience of drama was at the age of 5 in Johannesburg's wonderful Children's Theatre. This led to her writing, producing and taking the lead in plays for family and friends! Sue then went on to teach English and drama for many years - directing school plays and running Toastmasters' clubs. She believes firmly that drama, art, music and public speaking are of prime importance in the development of the whole person and to this end began and ran an annual Cultural Weekend for 15 years for students from a variety of up to 19 schools around Zimbabwe. Finding a place at Helen O'Grady Drama Academy in her new home in Cape Town has been very exciting as it incorporates all Sue's passions in one!

Jennifer Witts – Teacher

Jennifer’s passion for the dramatic arts was ignited after performing in a school play at the age of 7. Her love for playing ‘dress-up’ and ‘make-believe’ evolved throughout her high school years where she acted in productions such as Othello, for which she won a top award. She went on to graduate from the University of Stellenbosch with a Bachelor of Drama Degree. For many years Jennifer has been actively involved with community youth theatre work and education. An accomplished director and producer, her repertoire extends from one-act plays to musical theatre. Jennifer firmly believes that performance arts can bring out creativity and confidence in anyone, irrespective or age.