Waterfront Theatre School

General information

The WTS was first established in 1978 in the Carlton Centre in Johannesburg under the name of The Dance Workshop. The primary aim was to train actors and dancers for the new medium of television, as very few artistes had experience of the medium, at that time. Classes included tap, jazz and modern dance, and rapidly expanded to include musical theatre and drama. Keith and Delia re-established their ties with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing and the Trinity College of London, to provide international teaching and performing qualifications for the graduates.

In 1998, they ran out of space, and relocated to studios in Mutual Square, Rosebank, where they established new studios and the “Little Theatre”, to present shows, giving both professionals and students performing opportunities. It seems that very few professionals did not begin their careers in a “Keith Galloway” Production! (Ian Von Memerty, Angela Killian, Tim Plewman etc etc etc!)

In 1992, they were invited by the Waterfront management to open studios at the then newly developing Waterfront. The present premises were found, and nine studios were established in the beautiful Old Mission to Seamen building, (built in 1901) overlooking the Waterfront and with views of Signal Hill.

The college now consists of ten studios, an integral theatre, two private lesson studios, lecture room, three costume stores, coffee- bar and store-room and set- making facilities. In addition, the college can house up to twenty full-time students in residence. Parking is available on the grounds and by courtesy of the City Lodge next door. There is a resident care-taker/guard and 24 hour patrol from the Waterfront.