SINCE landing the role of Candice on popular local TV show “Skeem Saam” last year, actress Liza van Deventer’s star has been on the rise.
Van Deventer, who studied performance in Los Angeles, said she was living her lifelong dream.
The 25-year-old said she had been pushed by her agent to audition for the role on the SABC 1 soapie.
“I had no expectations of getting the job and I think that is why it all worked out. My character is extremely confident and ambitious. She is not afraid to challenge social norms but at the same time she has a really gentle demeanour.”
Her experience on the show had been the “best learning experience” for the actress and she said it had also exposed her to the technical aspects of on-camera acting.
“It’s my first multicamera project and I have to always be alert and prepared for the fast-paced soap-style shooting,” she said.
Originally from the small town of Kinross in Mpumalanga, the actress now splits her time living between Joburg and Cape Town after her return to the country in 2015 following a three-year stint in Los Angeles.
“I left straight after high school in the beginning of 2012. I wanted to study acting at a conservatory as well as attend dance classes. I already started doing Skype-coaching sessions with my LA acting coach Sarah Gaboury while I was in high school.”
While in LA, she received training from Michelle Danner, who has coached Hollywood superstars such as Gerard Butler, Penelope Cruz and Zooey Deschanel.
“Michelle is wonderful as she has unlimited knowledge about the art of acting. I have learnt everything from how to thoroughly break down a script to creating a vivid imaginary life for a character,” said Van Deventer.
Through her dancing, she has had the opportunity to perform at venues in LA, including the acclaimed Avalon Theatre and the El Rey Theatre in Hollywood. She was also a hip hop back-up dancer for R&B teen singer Aanysa.
In 2016, Van Deventer received a scholarship to attend the Broadway Dance Centre in New York, which she has not yet taken up.
Last year, she completed filming for the international production “Thula”.
“I am planning on attending Broadway Dance Centre later this year. I will also be continuing work on “Skeem Saam” and I am very excited for the film “Thula” to come out.”
Apart from acting and dancing, she is a passionate surfer and environmentalist and an outspoken vegan and even has her own YouTube channel where she posts vlogs about what to eat and how she gets all the required nutrients from a vegan diet.
“My health and outlook on life has changed drastically because of it (veganism).
“It has made me more compassionate towards animals and all living beings,” said Van Deventer.