Performing Arts Center    

Professional dancer, gymnast and founder of the Performing Arts Centre, Simone Mann, is passionate about helping young dancers become the most proficient, well-rounded performers they can be.
Simone started the centre in 2020 with a strong focus on musical theatre. It has since evolved into a fully-fledged dance studio, with ballet classes (taught by seasoned ballet instructor Ann Du Plessis) taking place at FITPOD studios.
No stranger to the performing arts world (and a born-and-bred Ballito girl), Simone has been on stage for as long as she can remember. “My mom was a dancer and gymnast, and my two sisters and I naturally found our way into the performing world. I guess it’s just who we are and what we know,” she says.
With two young daughters of her own and a busy performing arts school to run, Simone’s life looks decidedly different from when she was performing on huge stages around the world.
After school, Simone studied at the Performing Arts Academy in Cape Town. Then, her career took her across the USA, Asia, and Europe, where she performed in huge musical shows like African Footprint and Showboat.
When she decided to settle down, Simone moved back to KZN and performed in large productions at the Kickstart Theatre, including Chicago, West Side Story, Shrek The Musical and various annual Pantomimes.
She launched the Performing Arts Academy in her garage in 2020, and, despite the challenges of COVID-19, the centre has grown into one of the most popular dance academies in the region.
Offering various dance classes – including tap, hip hop, musical theatre, ballet, modern, jazz, gym, contemporary dance, and tumbling (run by Simone’s sister, SA gymnastics champion Dominique) – Simone continues to place a lot of emphasis on teaching her students to be well-rounded performers.
“I can’t emphasise enough how important it is for dancers to be able to sing and act for them to be able to audition for big shows. I have been in the industry and know how difficult it is to get parts. Being able to dance well is not enough. To be a ‘triple threat’ doesn’t mean you have to be good at all three, but you must have some ability.”
Simone encourages her students to perform as much as possible, and they participate in various competitions, shows and exams throughout the year.