Grant Almirall was born and raised in Port Elizabeth. He obtained his National Diploma in Musical Theatre from the Tswane University of Technology in Pretoria. His professional debut was in the South African world touring company of ‘Cats’ with which he toured to Korea, Shanghai Taipei, Qatar and Scandinavia. Coming back home he went into a production of ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’, produced by Pieter Toerien. he then performed in “Showboat”, directed by Janice Honeyman, which toured Germany & Norway. After finishing a second season of “Joseph”, Grant appeared in the comedy farce “See How They Run”. In 2006 Grant was part of the hugely successful production of “We Will Rock You” in Johannesburg, Cape Town & Durban after which he played a Karoo cowboy in Fred Abrahamse’s “Bangbroek Mountain” a spoof of the movie and also appeared in a production of ‘Romeo and Juliet’, both in Cape Town. He has performed in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ which toured to Athens, Greece, “Rent” and the return season of “Chicago – The Musical.”

RHYS WILLIAMS

Rhys is a real-life jock! Until this year he spent most of his time centerfield – not centrestage! However, being born into a prominent Port Elizabeth theatre family he made a decision this year to do what he was born to do – sing dance and act! He has had a busy year, soaking himself in performance arts lessons, playing in Guys and Dolls and Equus (which premiered at the National Arts Festival and also ran a short tour of the Eastern Cape). It was during the rehearsal period of Equus that he auditioned successfully for the South African original cast of High School Musical. This is a dream come true for Rhys – and his family – HSM is hopefully the beginning of a busy career in this colourful world of showbiz.

STEPHEN JUBBER

Graduated with Bachelor of Law degree, UCT 2006. Disappeared to the USA for six months, came home and auditioned for Fred Abrahamse and Marcel Maeyer's musical In Briefs. Was cast as Dominic and a theatre career began. Played Salerio in 2008 Maynardville Open Air Theatre’s Merchant of Venice, directed by Roy Sargeant. Played Aladdin in the children’s musical Aladdin And His Magic Lamp at the Canal Walk Theatre. Toured with Dalliances to the Dublin Gay Theatre Festival in the role of Leo, under the direction of Matthew Wild.

Competed in the 2008 IDO Hip Hop World Championships and made history as the first South African team to reach the finals in the small group category. Out of 64 teams representing 35 nations my team ‘Hitsquad’ placed fifth in the world.

Revamped the South African Dance Teachers’ Association hip hop syllabus and demonstrated the new work at the SADTA AGM in Pretoria. Joined the a capella group ‘d7’ which most recently performed in The Ninth Artscape Showcase of Dance, accompanying the dancers of Daphne Jubber Dance Studio with an a capella Michael Jackson medley. Formed the Phoenix dance crew with a view to competing in the World Champs to be held in Poland in October 2009. Only gold will do!

DERRICK MENDES ANDERSON

After matriculating at Westville Boys' High School, Derrick read for a BA Drama at the University of Pretoria. He returned to Durban in 2002 and in April of that year, performed in The Westenders, directed by Duncan Royce. He was nominated for a FNB Vita Award for Best Up and Coming Male Performer for this production. He performed for the Dockyard Supper Theatre Company for the next two years and featured in Stuart Mey’s productions of Masters of Rock, Rock and Roll Heaven (at the Playhouse) and A Tribute to the Bee Gees. In 2003 he played the lead role of Joseph in the Flying Fish production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. In June 2004, he moved to Johannesburg to perform in Richard Loring’s production of That’ll Be The Day. Other highlights include guest appearances with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra in the Starlight Pop-Opera and performing at the Vodacom July. He is a teacher who enjoys finding a balance between educating and entertaining, as he has been over the past four years. Derrick has featured in the production of Deon Opperman’s My Fair Lady, Julie De Jager and Collin Sumners’ Lets Party, the Peoples Theatre’s Alice in Wonderland, Richard Loring’s Hairspray and more recently Creative Entertainment’s Full Monty.

SHAUN BRIAN MURPHY

Shaun began his career in performance as Emcee in 'CABARET'. He has a BA (Hons) Drama from Rhodes University declining a full scholarship for Masters in Dance Performance at the Laban Centre (London) in order to pursue Musical Theatre here in RSA. For 3 years Shaun performed with Gary Gordon's internationally renowned 'First Physical Theatre Company', proceeding to tour Europe and Africa as a lead dancer in 'African Footprint'. He has since appeared in the international film 'Race', toured to Athens with 'Jesus Christ Superstar', and appeared in 'Fiddler on the Roof'. He has recently worked with Broadway directors in 'HAIRSPRAY', and with West End directors playing Gus in 'Saturday Night Fever' and has made his television debut on 'Binnelanders'. Shaun recently bared all as the wall-loving Ethan in 'The Full Monty'.

MARTIN VAN HEERDEN

Even though Martin van Heerden started dancing at a late age of twenty years, training extensively in the styles of classical ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern and tap, he has an impressive history performing in the following productions: The internationally acclaimed African Footprint, “On the Wings of Sui” by internationally acclaimed choreographer Redha, The Bee Gees - a tribute, Songs from the Mediterranean, Las Vegas Fantasy, Odyssey extravaganza at Sun City entertainment resort. As well as various productions with choreographers such as Kelsey Middleton, David Matamela, Esther Nasser, Sue Kirkland, Pinto Ferreira and Ignatius van Heerden. For the past year, Martin danced in various productions on board Celebrity Cruise Lines. Martin also did Jesus Christ Super Star, touring South Korea, in December 2007. He then returned to share a stage with Nataniël in “ Men Who Fly”. Martin then joined the original South African cast for “Chess – the musical”

CLIVE GILSON

Clive was adopted by the age of 3 months and he spent his childhood in Pietermaritzburg. At the age of four he started dancing (ballet). He auditioned for the Waterfront Theatre College in Cape Town. Clive studied tap, ballet, funk, jazz, contemporary and modern dance through ISTD becoming the first person in the world to achieve full marks in advanced 2 Tap through ISTD. He also studied drama practical as well as Musical Theatre ATCL and LTCL practical and theory. Clive graduated with distinctions in all fields and received his Teachers Tap Diploma qualification. Clive has performed in many stage productions including Ladies Take A Bow at Grand West Casino, The Merchant of Venice at Maynardville and Hamlet at Artscape.

BLAZE

Break-dancing specialist, Yaron Blasbalg, known “Blaze” has almost no technical training in any dance genre. He started dancing about 6 years ago, teaching himself to break-dance at home on the patio tiles. During recent years he has performed many times at small shows such as matric after parties; featured in numerous music videos and adverts; and guest starred on programs such as ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. Blaze’s career has taken off in the past 2 years. Some his career highlights include: achieving 5th place at the World Hip Hop and Break-dance Championships in Las Angeles in July 2006 in the break-dance category with his crew ‘The Big 5’; being featured in the theatre production ‘Opera Mania’ early in 2008; and making the top 16 in the televised dance competition ‘So You Think You Can Dance - South Africa’, (which he unfortunately had to leave due to illness.) Apart from dancing Blaze is studying mechanical engineering.

MALAN LE ROUX