Van Deventer, who studied performance in Los Angeles, said she was living her lifelong dream.

 
AGE:
30
LOCATION: Los Angeles, USA | Cape Town | Johannesburg
PRIMARY LANGUAGE/S:
Afrikaans, English
ACCENTS:
American (Standard), American (New York), American (Southern), Australian, British (RP), British (Cockney), Irish
HEIGHT: 168cm
EYES: Blue
DRIVER’S LICENCE:
Car
ADDITIONAL SKILLS:
Surfing, freediver, yoga, runner, pro dancer, skateboard, hiking, boxing, swimming, boxing, cooking, pilates, rollerblading, dancing (ballet, jazz, hip hop), acrobatics, piano, mime, singing (alto), horse riding

Liza van Deventer is a South African actor and dancer. She is a graduate of the Edgemar Center for the Performing Arts conservatory program in Santa Monica California. Liza has spent the past three years working and studying in Los Angeles. She has trained extensively with Michelle Danner who has coached many A-listers including Gerard Butler, Penelope Cruz and Zooey Deschanel. As a dancer, she has been mentored and privately coached by Broadway performer and television actress Chryssie Whitehead. She spent her free time taking classes at the Edge Dance Studio and Millennium Dance Complex in Hollywood.

Liza is trained in almost every dance style and is a company member for Stretch Dance Company- a contemporary dance theatre company. Through her dancing, she has had the opportunity to perform at legendary venues in Los Angeles such as the Avalon Theatre and the El Rey Theatre in Hollywood. She was also a hip hop backup dancer for RnB teen singing sensation Aanysa. In 2015 she had the opportunity to dance with the Israeli contemporary company; Nimrod Freed/Tami Dance Company. Liza performed in their internationally praised production of Peep Dance which has been described by the Courier Mail of Brisbane as “a move to push the boundaries of going to theatre”.

Whilst in Los Angeles she developed and honed her performing skills through numerous workshops and advanced acting masterclasses, including improvisation at the prestigious UCB school and month-long intensives with casting directors such as Killian McHugh and Natalie Hart (CSA). Her recent acting credits include commercials for Lucky Brand Jeans, Humin iPhone

“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.