Why We Exist
Praxis was built on the belief that dramatic arts education has the potential to contribute meaningfully to a child's development when approached as more than an opportunity to participate. Within a structured training environment, learners have opportunities to develop practical abilities, recognise their own progress, and discover what they are capable of accomplishing through preparation, effort, and continued practice.
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We believe that many of the qualities parents hope their children will develop - confidence, effective communication, resilience, and self-assurance - are cultivated most reliably when learners experience themselves becoming genuinely capable. Encouragement is important, but lasting confidence is more likely to emerge when learners begin to recognise themselves as capable individuals.
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Praxis exists to provide learners with opportunities to experience this process deliberately. As they develop abilities they can trust and competencies they can rely upon, learners begin to build a form of confidence that rests upon genuine capability, is strengthened through experience, and remains with them long after the performance has ended.
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​This commitment is reflected throughout the Academy's progressive training pathway, where each level builds intentionally upon the one before it.
Our Educational Philosophy
The principles that shape learning at Praxis
Discover Capability
Confidence Through Experience
Progress Through Purposeful Practice
Performance is not reserved for the naturally talented. Abilities are built through ecperience, not innate instinct
Confidence develops most reliably when learners encounter evidence of their own growing capabilities.
Meaningful growth occurs when understanding is translated into action, effort is sustained, and improvement is experienced first-hand.
At Praxis, dramatic arts is viewed as more than a means of performance. It is a medium through which learners can discover what they are capable of, deepen their understanding of communication, and experience the satisfaction that accompanies meaningful improvement.
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This philosophy shapes an environment where learners think critically, work purposefully, respond to feedback, and recognise that meaningful progress develops through preparation, practice, and experience.
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The educational philosophy of Praxis Dramatic Arts Academy is expressed through four guiding principles. Together, they shape the Academy's approach to learning, development, and performance.
The Four Praxis Principles
Confidence Through Competence
We believe confidence develops most reliably when learners encounter evidence of their own growing capabilities. Preparation, meaningful achievement, and continued improvement provide a stronger foundation for confidence than encouragement alone.
Performance Is A System, Not An Instinct
Performance is not viewed as an innate quality possessed by a fortunate few. It consists of identifiable skills that can be taught, practised, refined, and strengthened over time.
Praxis
Makes
Perfect
Knowledge becomes meaningful when it is translated into action. Learners develop through rehearsal, experimentation, reflection, and repeated opportunities to apply what they have learned.
The Pillar and the Sash
Creativity flourishes when supported by strong foundations. The strongest performers combine imagination with discipline, artistic expression with technical understanding, and confidence with competence.
Philosophy in Practice
At Praxis, dramatic arts is viewed as more than a means of performance. It is a medium through which learners can discover what they are capable of, deepen their understanding of communication, and experience the satisfaction that accompanies meaningful improvement.
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This philosophy shapes an environment where learners think critically, work purposefully, respond to feedback, and recognise that meaningful progress develops through preparation, practice, and experience.
The educational philosophy of Praxis extends beyond what we teach—it shapes how learners progress through the Academy.
Rather than viewing each year as a separate experience, Praxis follows a structured developmental pathway that enables learners to build progressively upon previously acquired knowledge, skills, and confidence.
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Each training level introduces new challenges while reinforcing established foundations, creating a coherent educational journey that supports both technical growth and personal development.
Meet the People Behind Praxis
Praxis is led by a team who share a belief that meaningful development occurs when learners are supported, challenged, and given opportunities to discover what they are capable of achieving.
Drawing upon backgrounds in education, theatre, scientific research, and organisational leadership, they have intentionally designed an Academy environment that values high standards, purposeful learning, and learner growth grounded in genuine capability.
I want learners to leave Praxis knowing not only how to perform, but with a stronger belief in what they are capable of achieving through preparation, perseverance, and practice.
Irma Viviers
Co-Founder • Educational & Artistic Lead • Praxis Educator
(BA, Theatre and Dramatic Arts & Psycology; BA.Hons., Theatre and Dramatic Arts & specialising in Childrens Theatre; PGCE, Dramatic Arts)
Irma is the educational and artistic lead of Praxis. As a qualified Dramatic Arts educator, theatre practitioner, and performance coach, she brings experience from classroom teaching, private coaching, theatre performance, directing, and preparing senior learners for practical and written Dramatic Arts examinations.
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She is passionate about helping learners find their voice, think creatively, communicate with confidence, and experience the satisfaction that accompanies meaningful progress. At Praxis, Irma oversees curriculum development, lesson design, practical instruction, rehearsal processes, and learner performance preparation, creating a learning environment that balances structure with encouragement and artistic exploration with purposeful skill development.
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Loewan Erasmus ​
Co-Founder • Praxis Operations and Development Lead
(BSc., BSc.Hons., MSc., Environmental Sciences and Management)
Loewan contributes to Praxis from a different, yet equally important perspective. As an MSc-qualified Scientist, published researcher, and award-winning presenter, his experience spans scientific research, educational content development, QA, and systems development.
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At Praxis, Loewan works primarily behind the scenes, shaping the systems, policies, and strategic direction that support the Academy's long-term vision. His research background and commitment to evidence-informed thinking have influenced many of the educational ideas that underpin Praxis, helping to create an environment that is intentionally designed, thoughtfully managed, and focused on supporting meaningful learner development.
"Confidence becomes more resilient when learners no longer depend on reassurance, but begin to trust in abilities they have genuinely developed for themselves."
The Story Behind Our Name & Emblem
WHY "PRAXIS"?
Derived from the ancient Greek concept "Praxis", it describes the application of knowledge through action—the point at which learning becomes practice and understanding becomes experience.
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This idea lies at the heart of dramatic arts training. Skills are not developed through theory alone. They develop through preparation, rehearsal, experimentation, performance, reflection, and continual application.
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It also inspires one of our guiding principles: Praxis Makes Perfect. Meaningful growth occurs when knowledge, discipline, experience, and action come together in purposeful application.
NOT JUST A LOGO
Our name and emblem serve as reminders of the principles that guide the Academy. They reflect a belief that confidence develops through competence, that meaningful growth is built through purposeful action, and that creativity reaches its fullest potential when supported by strong foundations.
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Together, they represent an academy committed to helping learners transform knowledge into practice, practice into competence, and competence into lasting confidence.
THE PILLAR AND THE SASH
At the heart of our emblem stands a classical pillar, symbolising the strong foundations upon which meaningful growth is built: disciplined practice, technical skill, commitment, and continual improvement. Inspired by Ancient Greece—the birthplace of Western theatre—it also reflects our respect for the enduring traditions that continue to shape dramatic arts today.
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Wrapped around the pillar is a flowing sash, representing creativity, imagination, artistic expression, and the individuality every learner brings to the stage.
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Together, they express the philosophy at the heart of Praxis: creativity flourishes when it is supported by strong foundations. The two elements also form a subtle letter "P" for Praxis, symbolising the union of discipline and creativity that defines our approach to learning and performance.
Our Commitment
At Praxis, we are committed to providing a learning environment in which learners feel supported, appropriately challenged, and encouraged to develop at their own pace. We believe meaningful growth occurs when expectations are clear, effort is valued, and learners are given opportunities to experience the satisfaction of genuine progress.
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Our commitment extends beyond preparing learners for performances. We aim to cultivate an environment in which learners can develop practical abilities, discover increasing confidence in their own capabilities, and experience the rewards that accompany perseverance, preparation, and continued improvement.
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Whether a learner remains with Praxis for a single term or for many years, our hope is that they leave with more than memories of classes and performances. We hope they leave with skills they can rely upon, a stronger belief in what they can achieve, and the confidence that comes from knowing they are capable of more than they once imagined.