We talk to Darren Greeff

The Man behind the Featured Dance Tracks

 by Louw Mulder

 

Sometimes it just happens that you feel that need to do a write-up on a specific person in the industry. The time I felt like doing one on Darren Greeff, was when I randomly bumped into him one night after a performance of Singin’ in the Rain. He probably noticed me from some of my pictures through Stage and Screen, and it goes without saying how quickly I recognised him. We greeted, started to chat, and just the nice guy he is, humble and easy to get along with, triggered that vibe within me to do some writing.

For someone in love with theatre as much as I am, true stars on the stage are like celebrities. The average commoner on the street, will know Darren Greef as that blonde guy who came eighth in So You Think You Can Dance, the hit reality dance competition that was brought to SA screens by the SABC. But Darren’s story started long before the studio lights went live.

It happened at the age of 10 years, when Darren started to dance at Outline Dance Studio in Somerset West. He was only 12 years old when he won first place in the SA championships for tap dancing, and 13 years when he was placed 4^th overall at the World Championships. This opened the door to not only a world of dancing, but a successful career in the entertainment industry, on, and off the stage.

Studying as fulltime student at the Waterfront Theatre School in Cape Town, Darren achieved his advanced accreditation in the arts of musical theatre, drama, and dance routines such as tap, jazz and ballet. Further studies included teaching diplomas in Tap dancing and Modern Dancing. It was during this period whilst studying, that his marks earned him four world records through the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing in London. Darren is still working as freelance guest teacher, coach and adjudicator.

During the world tour of Pieter Toerien’s Cats, Darren acted as the on-stage swing, covering eight ensemble characters. Other productions where his dancing feet made their tracks, were playing Trent in Grease, the Shephard in The Phantom of the Opera, and Clyde in I’m Singin’ in the Rain. Darren also had various featured ensemble dance tracks in these productions, which saw him in more than 10 cities around the world.

Romeo’s Kiss, was a modern Romeo and Juliet version set to the music of the Beatles. “To be completely honest, my most personal connection to a character would have to be when I played Romeo for Sean Bovin’s Romeo’s Kiss.  I had a beautiful connection with the story of Romeo trying to find love, and then finding a love so beautiful and pure that he would take his life for someone. I am a hopeless romantic,” Darren said when I asked him about his most personal role.

Darren’s latest accolade, is being the dance captain in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which is currently playing at the Pieter Toerien Theatre in Montecasino. “To understudy all the ensemble tracks is a daunting, yet rewarding task” he says as he smiles proud. Working on the dance captaincy of Joseph is a role that Darren had been working on very hard to achieve, and is clearly very passionate about. “I am able to combine my teaching qualifications with my experience in the performing industry, where I am responsible for anything dance related in this production” he bragged on.

It is no secret that the blooming talent of South-Africa’s theatre is making waves throughout the country, but all over the world as well. When Darren and I spoke about this, he mentioned his appreciation towards producers to the likes of Pieter Toerien, Hazel Feldman and Bernard Jay, who contributes tremendously to the SA Theatre culture that has grown so much locally and internationally.   “The amount of times I have had audience members all over the world come to me and say that South African casts are stronger than what they saw on Broadway or on the West End, was phenomenal” Darren confirmed.

Off the stage, there is this incredible love for animals and his tours around the world already gave Darren the opportunities to have had many encounters with animals wherever he went. “My pride and joy is Rockstar, a gorgeous Dachshund that came into my life about 5 years ago” he said, showing me a photo on his phone. In his spare time, Darren loves attending and hosting dinner parties, but admits nothing comes close to his mom’s cooking. Darren is happily involved with someone incredibly special, who supports his career.

What the future is concerned, is an oyster of its own. At the moment Darren is torn between choreographing and directing full scale productions, and opening up his own performing arts school. “Both of these things are an absolute passion of mine, but the industry is so unpredictable though, with so many different paths, who knows where it will lead me.” Darren says, confident, yet curious.

Having spent time with Darren Greeff, was akin to a fun conversation, rather than an interview. His professional demeanour and positive attitude towards life, are evidently contributing towards his success. I ended the formalities by asking him what his motto in life is, and he replied by saying that it is something very true his dad once told him: “The harder you work, the luckier you get.”