The Actorate

I adore this play!

🎤 MAWANDE SHANGE — She is only 13! Remember her name😍

A voice that moves you to your very core. Jazz, Broadway, Country, Whitney Houston — yes, Whitney — there is no genre this girl can't make her own. From our very first lesson, I knew she was destined for greatness. Her late dad, loved to sing jazz, never got to hear her sing — but we know he's watching with the proudest heart, with her every step of the way. 🕊️💛

🚨 THE ACTORATE HAS SOME NEWS... 🚨

Two of our performers are heading to LAS VEGAS to represent South Africa at the World Championships of Performing Arts! 🇿🇦✈️🎰
Let us introduce you. 👇

🎤 CHERRISSE — proof it's NEVER too late.

After more than a decade of setting her singing aside, she made one seriously inspired decision: to come back to it. The voice that walked into our studio blew us away — an absolute POWERHOUSE, and an even more incredible human being behind it. Watching her let go and let that voice FLY has been the purest joy. ✨
One young star on the rise. One dream reignited. Two powerhouse voices about to take on the world's stage. 🌍
This is what we're about at The Actorate — not just teaching technique, but helping every performer find THEIR voice and chase the stages they were made for.
📍 Durban ➡️ Las Vegas. The Road to Vegas starts NOW — follow along, because you do NOT want to miss this journey. 👀

Cherrise Daniel Griffiths
Allison Jean Kietzmann
The South African Championships of the Performing Arts

Some news I've been sitting on... and I can't hold it in any longer. 🤫✨
TWO of our Actorate performers are officially heading to LAS VEGAS to represent South Africa at the World Championships of Performing Arts. 🇿🇦✈️🎰
One young performer. One adult vocalist. Two absolute POWERHOUSE voices — and the world is about to hear them.
I've watched these two pour everything into their craft — the endless technical work, the "one more time" run-throughs, the moments of doubt they pushed through anyway.

The countdown to Vegas starts NOW. Stay tuned... you'll want to follow this journey. 👀🎤

Some songs choose you.

Back to Before from Ragtime — discovered through the ear of a gloriously talented former student, now working in the industry, who knew before I did that this song was the exact song I needed in my life right now. I have always loved the musical,so here I am, giving it a whirl.

There's something about turning 49 that makes you done with waiting. Done with saving your voice for rehearsal rooms and other people's auditions.

Mother's journey in Ragtime is a woman waking up to her own life. I think about that a lot these days.

✨ A STAR IS RISING – AND THE WORLD NEEDS TO SEE HIM ✨
I could not be prouder to share the extraordinary achievement of my student, Malusi Zungu, who absolutely smashed the South African Championships of Performing Arts — walking away with an incredible 5 Gold Medals and 1 Silver 🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅🥈
Because of this phenomenal success, Malusi has officially qualified to represent South Africa at WCOPA – the World Championships of Performing Arts in Las Vegas, July 2026 🇿🇦✨
As his coach, I get to see what happens behind the scenes. Yes, Malusi is infinitely talented — but what truly sets him apart is his unmatched work ethic, his humility, his kindness, and the beautiful human heart he brings into every space he enters. He works. He listens. He grows. And he lifts others as he rises.
If anyone deserves this opportunity, it is Malusi.

This journey, however, comes with significant costs, and Malusi is urgently needing to raise funds to make this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity possible. He has started a BackaBuddy campaign, and we would be deeply grateful for any support — whether through a donation or simply sharing his story.

https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/malu-soul-to-world

🌍 The world stage needs to see Malusi Zungu.
🎭 The world needs to see what South Africa has to offer.
Let’s come together and help make this young star’s dream a reality. 💛
Please support if you can — and share far and wide.
✨ Watch this space… this is only the beginning. ✨ .zungu