THE Nicki Ray Academy of Performing Arts, a beacon of youth development and artistic excellence, proudly enters its fourth year since its founding in March 2021. This Gqeberha institution has swiftly become a multi-disciplinary arts haven, offering training in classical ballet, modern dance, street dance styles, singing, and drama.
Driven by a passion for nurturing young talent, the academy believes in the transformative power of the performing arts. By providing a well-rounded training approach from an early age, the academy aims at fostering confident, capable youth, with opportunities in the creative economy. This holistic understanding of the performance industry sets the Nicki Ray Academy apart as a leader in arts education.
“Over the past four years, we have showcased our commitment through various productions and performances, alongside numerous youth development initiatives. This June, we are excited to enchant audiences with our latest full-length children’s musical, Press Start, scheduled for the first week of the holidays,” said academy director, Nicki Rayepen.
The production promises to captivate both young and mature audiences with its familiar characters from the gaming world.
Press Start brings beloved characters from the vibrant, pixilated realms of timeless Nintendo and Sega video games to life, through the extraordinary talents of the academy’s young performers. The narrative follows iconic characters as they embark on a whimsical journey to organise a fundraiser after exhausting their lives, aiming to collect gold rings through a series of entertaining and heart-warming musical performances.
The stage will sparkle with the presence of characters such as Marco the Plumber (cousin of Mario), Princess Pomegranate (cousin of Princess Peach), Little Mushroom, Megakid, Speedy the Hedgehog, Pac Anne, and many more.
This magical journey promises fun and fantasy for the entire family, making it a perfect outing for the holidays.
The show started on June 17 and will run until June 21, with daily performances at 14:00 and 18:00 at The Little Theatre, Gqeberha. The academy is delighted to have the support of Galaxy Bingo, who has generously sponsored sound, lighting, and a security company to ensure the safety of all patrons.
Additionally, the venue now benefits from enhanced security measures, including three permanently allocated security guards by the city, and new lighting around the building and surrounding streets.
“We are excited to keep theatre and youth development through the performing arts alive in all parts of the city!” Rayepen concluded.
