LAMPLIGHT - A Celebration of Modern Musical Theatre

It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken an enormous toll on the theatre industry and subsequently many artists have been without work – particularly those in the live performance sector.

Furthermore the Oakfields College/Anthony Farmer Trust, which has made enormous contributions towards student bursaries, has been severely affected by the pandemic and is in great need of additional funds in order to assist students in need.

In light of this, the Oakfields College Faculty of Musical Theatre and Dance, in collaboration with VR Theatrical, is proud to present LAMPLIGHT - an intimate evening of musical entertainment featuring a cast comprised solely of Oakfields College graduates.

This project was initiated in response to the call for job creation within the theatre sector and to provide work opportunities and paid contracts for performers, technicians, and creatives - many of whom have not had the opportunity to work in their field since the lockdown was first implemented. This initiative is made possible by funds received from the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP).

In this celebration of song, audiences can look forward to material from contemporary musical theatre repertoire from musicals such as Hamilton, Amelie, Waitress, Dear Evan Hansen and the like.

Musical director on this production is none other than the highly acclaimed, multi-award winning Bryan Schimmel who has received ten Naledi Theatre Award nominations, winning four times for his work on Chicago, Jersey Boys, and Annie and musical arrangements for Knights of Music as well as winning the Vita Award for A Handful of Keys during his extensive thirty year career.

LAMPLIGHT director is one of the industry’s most promising, emerging creatives, Alyssa Harrisson, who is an Oakfields College musical theatre graduate herself. She achieved Top Musical Theatre Student in 2016 and has performed in Tiger Bay -The Musical at the Artscape Theatre, My Favourite Things at the Joburg Fringe, various children’s productions at the National Children’s Theatre and the international tour of The Sound of Music. Flexing her creative muscles, she has directed productions for both VR Theatrical and the National Children’s Theatre and has also found a passion and love for Stage and Production Management having worked on numerous professional productions in this capacity. Not only is she an active theatre practitioner but she is also an entrepreneur and business owner of a marketing hub for theatre, called Plug In Theatre.

The cast includes Oakfields College musical theatre graduates: Gabriela Dos Santos, Imke van Wyk, Dezlenne Ulster-Weale, Songezo Khumalo, Thandaza Silwane, James McPhail with production assistant Hannah Rudnicki.

Performances for the 25 May, Wednesday 26 May and Thursday 27 May have all sold out!

DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND AN ADDITIONAL 2 PERFORMANCES HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED AND WILL TAKE PLACE AT 19:00 on Tuesday 1 JUNE, and Wednesday 2 JUNE at Peachy Dine Bar (44 Stanley Ave, Braamfontein Werf, Johannesburg) where audience members can wine and dine on delicious cocktails and modern street food while enjoying the performance.

With all COVID-19 safety protocols being adhered to – spaces are extremely limited, so bookings are essential and can be made via Quicket.

There is NO ADMISSION CHARGE. However, a donation to the Oakfields College/Anthony Farmer Bursary Trust would be greatly appreciated.

(When checking out on Quicket, you will have the option of making a donation on your free ticket.)

The Oakfields College/Anthony Farmer Bursary Trust was established to assist financially needy and deserving, performing arts students with their tuition fees and to ensure that the enormous amount of mind-blowing talent in South Africa does not go untapped due to the financial restraints of students. The trust aims to ensure that passionate young performers have equal opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, gender or economic positioning. 100% of all donations will be donated to the trust to aid financially-needy students with bursaries to pursue their tertiary training within the performing arts.