JUNE 2019- Jhb East

Drama
MAMMAS
Boksburg’s Louw Breytenbach is an actor, writer and drama teacher – and now he is
wearing the hat of TV presenter on his own show, Drama Mammas.
Drama Mammas, based on the
American TV show Dance
Moms, will entertain viewers
with the drama that goes on
behind the curtains when moms will do
anything to get their children into the spotlight
to grab the attention of national and
international judges making their appearances
on the programme
throughout the season.
Get ready for screaming
matches, moms who
are competing against
each other and moms
who want to make
their unfulfilled dreams
come true through their
children. Watch the action
behind the curtains on
Via channel 147 DStv at
9.30pm from May 15.
The reality show has been filmed since
October last year. The concept was created
by Louw and the production company responsible
for bringing it to fruition, Life in a
Bulb, which is headed by talent guru Jennis
Williamson, the producer of the show.
During auditions, Louw chose an East
Rand team to present his drama school,
LALT, at national competitions, such as
SATCH (SA Talent Championship) and the
Greater Ekurhuleni Eisteddfod. The students
also auditioned for agents, advertisements
and music videos.
The East Rand team consists of three
drama students from Boksburg, Gareth
Faire, Caitlin Arries and Aldonè Kok, and
two from Alberton, Uwen du Plessis and
14 Get It Joburg East June 2019
Shenize Bekker. The programme revolves
around the build-up to SATCH … and,
of course, the dramas caused by
the mammas!
One of the five students will be chosen
for a one-month internship at the American
theatre company Serenbe Playhouse
in Atlanta. The lucky student will also
‘Louw is excited about the opening of their
Cape Town branch, and he is already
negotiating deals for a third book.’
receive $1000 to produce his or her own
production at the Serenbe. This dangling
carrot provided its own drama as international
judges flew to South Africa for the
annual Broadway2SA performance camp
to choose the deserving candidate of their
choice to represent the country and, of
course, the theatre.
While busy with the programme, Louw
realised that many of the parents want to
help their kids but do not have the knowledge
to do so in a healthy and nurturing
way. He therefore wrote a step-by-step
speech-writing guide called Sê jou Sê to enable
parents to help their children discover
their voices. Sê jou Sê is available from
Louw’s website, www.louwbreytenbach.
com, at R270.
Louw established LALT Theatre School
in 2012 and is the director of the National
Arts Association. When he opened his
theatre in Boksburg at the age of 21, with
help from community members, the East
Rand was immersed in arts and culture.
His dream is to create educational opportunities
for students across the country
through the arts.
LALT has since evolved
from a little theatre into
an educational hub in Beyerspark,
teaching drama,
vocal and piano classes,
with special packages for
adults and even students
with disabilities. The aim is
to give every person an opportunity
to find their voice
and use it for the better.
“When the cameras stop rolling, and
the curtains close, all we are left with are
the memories – and despite the drama,
we want to ensure that off-camera, we
are truly changing lives,” says Louw.
Louw is excited about the opening
of their Cape Town branch, and he is
already negotiating deals for a third
book. He is also part of an exciting
exchange programme where he will be
heading to New York and Atlanta from
June to July to intern at various theatres
to bring more international dramatic arts
education information to South Africa
and to enable our students to compete
at international level.
Catch Drama Mammas on Via Channel
147, 9.30pm, every Wednesday.
GICE0607_014_1496057720.indd 14
2019/05/15 03:26:49 PM