Cinderella’s cat lives in Edenvale

Edenvale resident Jaydene Marais is part of the Cinderella production which is currently on at the People’s Theatre, in Braamfontein.

Jaydene (18) has been involved in theatre since 2008, when she was cast in her first play, and says she was lucky to attend a school which nurtured her artistic talents, The Training Academy, in Eastleigh.

Her latest production, Cinderella, the Rage to Riches, can be classified as one of the most-loved classics about a poor kitchen maid who marries her prince and lives happily ever after.

“My school was always supportive. I was sent from audition to audition. I didn’t have to attend school everyday and they allowed me to fit my school work around my theatre work, and I am grateful for that,” said Jaydene.

Even though she did her first Grade 8, the Cinderella production is her first job since matriculating last year.

In the play, she plays Lucifer the cat.

“I play the cat that causes a lot of trouble and I am enjoying my character,” she said.

Jaydene said there is no one in her family who is in the entertainment industry but they have been supportive of her chosen field.

“My family has always been supportive of me, especially my mother and my grandmother. My mother is my strongest support but she did have a condition that I can do my performances as long as they don’t interfere with my school work, so I made sure I did well in school too. I matriculated with full colours,” she said.

Jaydene is not just concentrating on work, she is also studying part time.

“I am currently doing a course in education, however, I think I will change it to psychology next year. I want to do psychology with drama because it helped me a lot in terms of being able to express myself. I want to help other children gain confidence because being able to express yourself is important,” she said.

Cinderella is not the only production Jaydene is a part of. Her next project will be a play called Under the African Sun.

“For now I love being part of the Cinderella cast but I am also looking forward to my next project,” she said.

As busy as she is, in between the shows and rehearsals, Jaydene enjoys watching other theatre shows and movies.

Cinderalla will be staged at the People’s Theatre, at the Joburg Theatre Complex, in Braamfontein, until the end of July. #YourStory