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SING IT! - but for 4 performances onlyThe CoLab Network06/06/2012 12:56:21 
SING IT! the exciting new musical, produced by StageWorx School of Performing Arts, is coming to the ProMusica Theatre in Roodepoort from 6-8 July 2012. After their successful sell-put production of "The Wizard of Fu" in 2011, the students from StageWorx are back, bringing a brand new story to their audiences, ready to tug at those heart strings once again as they weave their magic on stage! SING IT! is a cross between High School Musical and Glee, with fun original songs written by Mike Marinus as well as the students. It follows the students of Gleeson High School coming together to try and win the local talent competition. We see how the stereo types of school groups come together through the love of theatre. SYNOPSIS OF SING IT! Supergroup fever has hit the students of Gleeson High. A talent show that showcases the best of the best brings the unlikeliest of kids to Mr Harper's choir, "The Harmonies". The geeks, jock and drama queens find out that 'putting on a show' takes more than they bargained for. Follow Rae, Billy, the cheer squad and the soccer jock as they dream the dream in "Watch Out World", surf the wave in "Bikini Bay" and put it all on the line with "Higher and Higher". Can Mr Harper find his way around the cunning gym teacher Mrs Reebok? Will Archie ever notice Abby exists? Do the kids have what it takes to be stars? Join us at one of the shows to find out. Popular performer Mike Marinus who has recently released his first single "Julia" which is enjoying high rotation on a number of local radio stations, has followed up his incredibly poignant "The Wizard of Fu" story, by writing a second just as magical script for SING IT!, but this time involving the students who have also played a major part, with some of their own original songs appearing in the musical. In this unique collaboration where these children with and without special needs, from advantaged and disadvantaged backgrounds; some with autism, downs syndrome, ADHD all working alongside able-bodied children in total harmony to stage this fully-fledged professional production, is the most ideal proof of how art can imitate life and will not leave a dry eye in the house. This collaboration brings about a quality production that is suitable for the whole family, and is sure to warm your heart with audiences sure to leave with a broad smile on their face. Says Gemma Donnelly from StageWorx; "The Wizard of Fu" was an amazing success in showing the public the students’ performance talents. This year with SING IT! we hope to go a step further. While some students have been responsible for workshopping Mike Marinus's script, coming up with ideas and songwriting, others as part of their diploma, have been learning about lighting design, costume design and helping with the stage design. Alyssa Harrison our student teacher is learning the ropes directing and choreographing, so that we hope to give the students a full practical understanding of what goes into making a musical". SING IT! is fully original, with original script and songs, the students are also learning the recording side of the music industry by recording the soundtrack of the musical. There is no better way for children to learn a craft than by the practical application of one. There is a tendency to separate children with special needs into their own schools, and this makes sense in terms of the kind of attention and teaching methods they require. BUT - Stageworx recognises, however, that children are children, no matter what their specific needs, and youngsters from special needs schools need to mix with other children their age, as there is so much that they can learn from each other. Gemma adds; "A portion of the proceeds from the shows will go towards one of our brightest special needs students with incredible potential, Phehello Masitha. He was awarded a scholarship for Journey School of Arts and Stageworx Saturday classes by Steam Generations for 2012 tuition. He is an amazingly talented student, but this sponsorship cannot cover all his examination fees, show costumes etc necessary for him to continue to get the experience and qualifications needed to pursue a career in the Arts. So the profits made from the show will be going into a kitty for Phehello for his future examinations leading up to his teachers. He is taking his first examination in June, and we hope to enter him for another one in September. You can see him playing the role of "Pete" in SING IT!" The show runs from 6 - 8 July at the ProMusica Theatre, Roodepoort. Performances are Friday 6 July at 7:30pm, Saturday 7 July at 3pm and 7:30pm and Sunday 8 July at 3pm. Tickets are R100 for adults and R80 for scholars/students and pensioners. Bookings can be booked through the Strictly Tickets website at www.ticket.co.za or by calling 082 553 5903. Whether you're 6 or 60, you'll love this uplifting musical showcasing children at their very best, and supporting a wonderful initiative at the same time. For more information visit www.stageworxperformingarts.co.za A continued feather in their cap: 'The Graeme Watkins Project' is continuing their support with Graeme Watkins as Ambassador of StageWorx Performing Arts School and Matthew Marinus (drummer for GWP) regularly mentors their students with and without needs whilst also providing songwriting lessons and more. For any interview requests with Gemma Donnelly, or to make arrangements to attend a StageWorx rehearsal or to attend a songwriting or recording session of the children in the recording studio with Matthew Marinus, members of the media can contact collett.dawson@absamail.co.za or 082 653 1338 to arrange media accreditation. ADDITIONAL NOTES TO EDITORS Successes for Stageworx and Journey School of Arts following their 2011 staging of 'The Wizard of Fu': Stageworx and Journey have entered both able-bodies and special needs students into two sets of Trinity Musical Theatre and Performance Arts Examinations, gaining distinctions with most of the children gaining over 90%. Their group examination came out with 96% that included both the able-bodies and special needs students, with the examiner commenting on how well these diverse children work together. Their special needs students all gained merits, a real achievement gaining them an international qualification. StageWorx opened its new studio in Weltevreden Park in March this year, and Journey will be moving into its new premises by year-end, allowing them to reach out to more students. Journey was blessed with a sponsorship from MTN and Steam Generations for two students to study full time (Jayden and Phehello). This year they are hoping to qualify their first teacher (Alyssa Harrison), and Cathleen Limerick (playing Rae) is applying for the prestigious Mountview University of Performing Arts in London. Sarah Falconer, Chiara Nowac and Tegan Budler all were given the opportunity to record their own original material with Matthew Marinus from 'The Graeme Watkins Project' and performed these songs at a showcase at Tanz Cafe. Sarah Falconer also appeared in a "Coke" ad, and Robert Webb helped produce his first music video! GEMMA DONNELLY BIOGRAPHY Gemma studied at the Whitehall College of Performing Arts in England gaining a first class musical theatre diploma and her teaching associates in drama and vocals, as well as her advanced I.S.T.S. in Modern and Tap Dance. Gemma has performed professionally for 12 years, beginning her career in the UK as a dancer for Robbie Williams at Prince Charles's 50th Birthday celebrations at the Lyceum Theatre and Gerri Halliwell’s 'It's Raining Men' music video. She also appeared in variety shows at the London Palladium, Theatre Royal and Her Majesty's Theatre before joining Carnical Cruises as lead production vocalist. After travelling America and the Caribbean, Gemma came to South Africa to perform in 'The Buddy Holly Show'. From here she has performed in many major musicals including 'My Fair Lady' (Eliza Doolittle, 'Mamma Mia' (Wendy Jo) and most recently toured Australia and New Zealand as Agnetha in 'The Abba Show'. In 2008 Gemma opened StageWorx School of Performing Arts, after seeing a gap in the Arts for training all kinds of children. After the students achieved some of the best Trinity Examinations results in the country, Gemma will now be working towards her Trinity Fellowship. Although Gemma has given performing a backseat to concentrate on her students, she still believes that when possible she will perform, as she feels the more experience she gets, the more she can pass onto her students, plus it is really fun for her students to watch her in a show! MIKE MARINUS BIOGRAPHY "SING IT" marks Mike Marinus's second year of working with the amazing students at StageWorx and Journey. After the success of his 'The Wizard of Fu' script, it was a no-brainer for him to saddle up for a second time, and what a ride it has been. Mike is a Chiropractor by profession, based in Randburg and began writing articles for publications of Chiropractic treatment, Colic and Reflux. Since then he has been published in amongst others, Baba and Kleuter, Your Baby and the Citizen Newspaper as well as doing radio interviews and public talks on the subjects. Creatively he has been involved in writing short stories published on the internet as well as A Comets Tale, a full-length novel, and last year's "The Wizard of Fu". Mike has also been a professional musician with over a decade of experience in performing at corporate functions, weddings and events. His passion for songwriting has been a long-lasting affair leading up to his recently released debut single "Julia" (which is currently doing well on local radio stations) from his upcoming solo album 'Before I Go'. To listen to Julia; http://soundloud.com/tunedinpublicity/mike-marinus-julia or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKwz-2gCQmM Client Contact: Gemma Donnelly Principal: StageWorx School of Performing Arts E-mail: gemmalouisedonnelly@gmail.com Telephone: 083 445 0547 Media Contact: Collett Dawson E-mail: collett.dawson@absamail.co.za Telephone: 082 653 1338 Related Venue:
Joburg Promusica, 100 Christiaan De Wet Drive Florida Park, Roodepoort Johannesburg Gauteng South Africa
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