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 Moden 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 Halliwells '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 prodution 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!
About SING IT!
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.
Performances are Friday 6th July at 7:30pm, Saturday 7th July at 3pm and 7:30pm and Sunday 8th 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.strictlytickets.com or by calling 082 553 5903.
Gemma tells her project me story:
What is your definition of happiness?
To feel?fulfilled in everything I do, and be surrounded by people I love.
If you could have everyone say one thing to themselves every day, what would it be?
I am worth it, I can do it and I believe it!
We all need someone to believe in us. Who is that person for you and why?
I actually have two people, my mentor who was the principal of my performing arts college, who I still call for advice to this day. She constantly reminds me that anything is possible if thought through and planned correctly. Then my?fiance?Matt, his is BIG on realising your dreams and was the main reason why stageworx has?become?as successful as it is.
What quality do you believe we can never be taught because it it our birthright?
We can never be taught happiness, that is our birthright. We are put on this planet to live life and enjoy it!
Describe the moment when you realised that you could?achieve?anything?
I think for me it was watching our first full production. 'The Wizard of Fu'. Seeing that the children having such an amazing time and living something they will never forget. Knowing that you are responsible for that is amazing.
What have you always dreamed of being or doing and have your reached that dream?
From when I was a child I always wanted to perform as a career in musicals and I have successfully done that for 10 years. Then my dreams changed and I wanted to pen a school to help children who had the same dreams of performing and also use the arts to give ?children a sense of worth and respect and confidence. This is now building so watch this space!!
When life gets in the way, what do you always remind yourself of?
That no matter what happens, if you are surrounded by people who love you, everything will turn out fine and?everything?happens the way it was supposed to! You may not know the reasons why straight away but it certainly?becomes?clear at a later stage!
We all have something unique to offer the world, what is yours?
Bundles of?enthusiasm! I will throw myself into any project head first!
How do you deal with the fears that could potentially hold you back?
I ask a lot of questions to the people who may know the answers!
What do you believe we have lost sight of in the world as a whole?
That living is not about what you earn or what you accumulate in possessions, its about the legacy you leave for others to follow.
What an inspiration! The world needs more people like you.:)