Weslee Lauder

Born and raised in Johannesburg, this creative, multi-talented performer obtained a B-Tech in Musical Theatre (Cum Laude) from Tshwane University of Technology. At TUT, Weslee performed in 8 Dance/Musical Theatre productions. In 2010 Weslee made his professional debut in Buddy, the Buddy Holly story at the State Theatre. In 2011, Weslee Choreographed the South African Premier of Spring Awakening! and starred in the Naledi Award winning family musical African Adventure as various roles. In 2015 Weslee received a Naledi Theatre Award nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Call Me Lee. Additionally, put on his creative hat; Directing Jonathan Roxmouth in both Stage by Stage at the Pieter Toerien Monte Theatre and Theatre on the Bay and From the Footlights at Monte Casino’s The Teatro, was creative director and choreographer of the Ghoema Musiek Toekennings and directed Aspoestertjie at Emperors Palace, which earned him a Naledi Theatre Award nomination for Best Director of a Musical. Weslee also premiered a critically acclaimed, neo-contemporary ballet: J’Zel at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival later that year.

In 2016 Weslee returned to the Theatre of Marcellus: directing Sneeuwitjie (which earned him a Naledi Nomination for best Director of a Musical) and The Ultimate Phil Collins Tribute show: One More Night, choreographing Songs For A New World for Oakfields College and The University of Oklahoma for the Grahamstown National Arts festival at which he debuted as a playwright with his work (the) Last Supper. Additionally, Weslee choreographed Saturday Night Fever for the South African State Theatre (which also earned him Naledi Theatre Awards Nomination for Best Original Choreography).
2017 saw Weslee return to Emperors Palace: directing Doringrosie: Die Slapende Skone and recently Directing and Choreographing Jonathan Roxmouth’s The Musicals in Concert at The Teatro and choreographing Rock Of Ages at Gold Reef City (earning him a Naledi Theatre Award Nomination for Best Original Chorepgraphy).

In 2018 Weslee Directed and Co-Wrote Great Balls of Fire – The Tale of Jerry Lee Lewis at the Pieter Toerien’s Monte Casino Theatre, Directed and Choreographed the return season of Jonathans Roxmouth’s The Musicals in Concert at The Teatro.

Weslee has choreographed music videos for LeopardTV and Martin Bester’s “Zorro”, Suzzi Swanepoel’s “#EKO: Ek Kan Onthou.” and Marno van der Merwe’s “O My Liefde”.

With theatre credits that include The international Tour of Matilda - The Musical! The Mystery of Irma Vep, Rock of Ages, Sweeney Todd, Janice Honeyman’s: Jack and the Beanstalk, Starlight Express, Janice Honeyman’s: Aladdin, Call Me Lee, Reik Na Die Sterre and Janice Honeyman’s Peter Pan, Wes;ees currently playing Sergei and 1st Cover Miss. Trunchbull in the International Tour of Matilda - The Musical.

His film, television and social media credits include: Fluit Fluit (KykNet). Die Vlieënde Springbokkie (SABC 2), IBM, Elke Skewe Pot (KykNet), ShowMax, HighRollers (SABC), ‘n Hondelewe (KykNet), MWeb, Standard Bank, Chicken Licken, Sterlopers (KykNet), Robbie Wessels’ “SuperGees”, Vodacom Super Rugby, Wimpy, SARS, City Varsity.