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Thursday, January 23, 2020

SAMANTHA LANDERS FOR DAS


(Left: Samantha Landers)

Registration deadline: January 24, 2020

Nicole Theunissen, director of the Durban Actors Studio (DAS) reports: “We are so excited to announce that Samantha Landers will be teaching as part of our Stage School team this semester!

“Samantha is a renowned vocalist and musical director, and will be taking the reins in staging our Stage School Production Track show, Legally Blonde, with our cast of talented young performers as of this term.

“Her distinctive appearance and crystal clear vocals have made Samantha Landers a well-known singer in the Durban music scene. She captures audiences with her sultry sounds and soulful, rich vocals. Singing a variety of styles from contemporary, musical theatre, and pop, to country, jazz, and RnB, Samantha can entertain any crowd, and capture any audience.”

Born and raised in Durban, Samantha began her music career at the age of 12 when she began classical singing training at school. Hungry to be involved in anything musical, she quickly auditioned for every choir and took up playing the piano and guitar. She trained for five days a week and very soon, was seen as the school soloist. She performed at weddings, corporate events, and in musical eisteddfods in England, Ireland, and Wales.

At 17, Landers performed in the East Coast Radio Pop Princess Competition and this gained her critical acclaim in and around KZN. That same year she took part in the Young Performers’ production of Grease where she tried her hand in acting and dancing.

Although music is what drives her, she decided to study after school and she attained her Bachelors Degree in Journalism and Media Studies from Rhodes University. She satisfied her love of the arts by joining the university choir, taking up ballroom dancing, and performing around Grahamstown. Upon her return home to Durban, she continued with her singing training, only this time, she studied contemporary.

With years of studying in both music and academics, Landers now works as a vocal trainer in Hillcrest. She has pursued her career in music and has appeared in a number of vocal shows such as Carnival Time, Sing It, Sista, Shaken, Not Stirred, Poetry In Music, The Fleetwood Mac Story, and, more recently, the highly acclaimed That's Life. She performs at many corporate events and has been seen in extravaganzas like Night of a Hundred Stars and Dolphins By Starlight. Her live performances include the Vodacom Durban July, The Mr Price Pro, Mrs Universe 2017, a number of year-end functions, awards evenings, and awareness events for associations like The Sunflower Fund and CANSA. She also appeared in the BRICS conference in Russia.

Landers is one of three members of the acclaimed singing group MitzyGeorge. Known for their close, melodic harmonies, this all-female group perform their beautiful, heartfelt show in and around KZN. They are currently preparing for their next show and have just released their debut single; I Am Home.

She spent time training in Sweden with world-renowned vocal coach to the stars, Seth Riggs. She has also spent time training with New York based vocal coach Jeff Alani Stanfill.

She balances her singing by taking timeout with family and friends. She enjoys travelling, writing, reading, and watching a good movie. She is currently writing music and working on her next show.

“Stage School Production Track students will have the amazing opportunity this semester to be directed and coached by Sam, as we undertake another Durban Actors Studio produced musical - -and we can’t wait!,” adds Theunissen.

Registration is open until January 24 2020, click here: https://www.durbanactorsstudio.co.za/stage-school/stage-school-registration-form/

Please see the below term dates, amended to a later start date:

Semester 1 Production Dates: June 7 to 13, 2020

Term 1:
February 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 and March 7, 14, and 21(all 09h00 – 12h00)

Term 2:
April 4 (09h00 – 12h00)
April 18, 25 (09h00 – 15h00)
May 2 (09h00 – 12h00)
May 9, 16 (09h00 – 15h00)
May 23, 30 (09h00 – 12h00)
June 6 (09h00 – 15h00) – Dress Rehearsal
June 7 (09h00 – 15h00) Tech Run (TBC)
June 08, 10 (16h00 – 21h00) (Tech Run / Final Dress and Opening Night)
June 11, 12 (17h00 – 21h15) (Evening Shows)
June 13 (12h30 – 21h30) Matinee and Evening Shows

Cost: R2,600 per term

Discount – register for the Examination AND Production Track and get a 10% discount on the combined annual figure.

Due to the production element students can only leave at the end of a semester (ie not before June shows). You do not need to audition to join Stage School. You will audition for roles in the various productions we stage. You will be expected to learn lines outside of class.

For more information contact DAS director Nicole Theunissen on 031 332 0173 or WhatsApp: 066 013 9880 or visit www.durbanactorsstudio.co.za

The Durban Actors Studio is situated at 114 Intersite Avenue, Umgeni Business Park, Durban