ABOUT THE PRINCIPAL
MICHELE GRIFFITHS DRAMA AND THEATRE ARTS DEGREEMichele Griffiths started her theatrical career in performance with many featured roles in productions for CAPAB (now Artscape). These productions included Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Mame, Peter Pan, Camelot and Evita amongst many others.
After relocating to the UK, Michele shifted her focus to Early Learning Education.
After returning to South Africa in 2005 Michele took time out to raise her children before returning to Education and opening a Pre - school.
Michele and Paul bought Helen O’Grady in 2018 and Michele started running the Academy in 2019.
She describes her role at Helen O'Grady Cape Town South as the perfect opportunity to develop her passion for children with her passion for the life skills offered by Drama.
Empowering young people is her commitment to the future!
Paul Griffiths - Director
Paul is an award-winning director with a long career as director of plays and musicals. He started his career in the early 90’s as an actor in Musical Theatre. He soon relocated to the UK in order to complete his MA in Theatre Directing at Middlesex University. Following his qualification, Paul worked as trainee director at the Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond, London. This was followed by a period as Acting Artistic Director at The Bridewell Theatre (just off West End).
Upon returning to South Africa, he joined The Waterfront Theatre College in Cape Town as a part-time lecturer in acting technique. He also set up his own company, Big Leaf Productions, to provide a platform for his directing work to be showcased locally and nationally. In 2006 Paul was appointed head of Drama and Musical Theatre at The Waterfront Theatre College. In 2010 he was made Partner.
He continues to be involved in a range of projects outside of the Waterfront Theatre College. His production credits include up to 30 acclaimed productions which have garnered a string of accolades including Directing Awards, Ovation Awards and People Choice Awards.
In 2018 Paul and his wife Michele bought Helen O'Grady Cape Town South.
Paul is always eager to pursue opportunities within the Performing Arts industry to create opportunity and stimulate productivity and is driven by a genuine belief that the Performing Arts has the power to shift the way a society thinks and feels.
Paul is on the Panel of International Examiners for Trinity College, London.
