Michael Jackson HIStory Show

A South African native, born in Cape Town in 1993 to parents Andrew and Ro-Ann, Garth’s arts journey began humbly as a member of his primary school choir, but in his teen years his commitment ‘levelled-up’ and he devoted himself to arts education and learning as many aspects of performance as possible. He attended the Stage Performing Arts School and Theatre, where he received a 2nd-Year Certificate in Performing Arts and studied Jazz, Tap and Modern dance styles, receiving further certifications in all three disciplines from the renowned Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing in London.

Expanding his repertoire in 2008 he studied Hip Hop styles with Kumari Singh at Temple of Hip Hop, and in 2012 he obtained a NQF Level 5 in Performing Arts from the New Africa Theatre.

Putting all his dance education to great and immediate use, Garth was also performing and choreographing throughout his teens and early twenties in school productions such as ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’, ‘Dirty Dancing’ and the ‘Cape Town’s Most Wanted Dance’ showcase and professional productions such as Temple of Hip Hop’s ‘Dance4Peace’ and the Afrika Ablaze productions ‘Dancers Don’t Cry’ and ‘Diary of a Dancer’, along with corporate work for the likes of Pepsi and Peugeot.

Garth’s career took a major turn in 2015 when he secured his first international contract as choreographer and dancer in the Spanish production This Is It – A Tribute to Michael Jackson, a role that he would thrive in, leading him to be offered over the lead role as ‘Michael Jackson’ the following year and eventually become Manager of the production, spending six months in Spain with the show each year every since.

In 2023, his work in the tribute space was noticed by renowned tribute producer Johnny Van Grinsven who was re- casting his long-running production The Michael Jackson HIStory Show and found Garth to be the perfect mix of talent and youthful energy and drive, awarding him the biggest role of his life – again as Michael Jackson – but this time in one of the biggest internationally-touring tributes on the circuit.

“Garth had the very rare combination of vocal talent, dance talent, the right looks and most importantly the drive and ambition to rise to the role, to work at being the best in the business. I’m really proud to relaunch the show with him front and centre,” says Van Grinsven.