The Cape Academy of Dramatic Art is an established Academy with over 75 years of experience behind it. Originally called the Maas-Phillips College of Speech and Drama, it was founded by Rita Maas and her husband, Maurice Phillips.

The Academy successfully nurtured the talents of well-known actors, broadcasters, directors and designers and is well-known throughout Cape Town.

In 1990, Rita Maas handed over the reins to three of her senior teachers, Jeanne Rose-Innes, Penny Marek and Arij Tobias. The original College was renamed “The Cape Academy of Dramatic Art” and moved into premises at the Observatory Recreation Centre, where it still operates.

After years of teaching, Jeanne Rose-Innes retired her co-principal hat and left Penny Marek and Arij Tobias to run the Academy as a dynamic duo. Penny retired from teaching in 2010 and Arij Tobias in 2014, but they both continue to operate as examiners and advisors to CADA today.

Carey Hickson-Mahony, a past student and teacher at the Academy since 2009 is the current principal and continues CADA’s tradition of giving their students a well-rounded education in the Dramatic Arts with an emphasis on practical application.

CADA prides itself in being able to offer one-on-one performance training, full-scale productions, internationally accredited examinations in acting and teaching and successful engagement of its students in the industry.