Be more, live more, give more

 GLENVISTA: The Comaro CHRONICLE managed to ‘steal’ Collett away from her office for a chat about where she is now in her career and what led her here.

What do you remember about your childhood years?

I first lived in Robertsham, attending Winchester Ridge primary School. At nine years old we moved to Glenvista and I went to Sir John Adamson, where I excelled academically and on the sports field. Therefore, my parents weren’t very happy with me when I decided after matriculating in 1987, that I didn’t wish to go to university.

My dream was to become involved in the entertainment world and so at 18, not knowing very much about this I entered into the hotel industry, working at the Braamfontein Protea Hotel. From starting out as a reservation clerk I quickly moved up the ladder and became restaurant and function coordinator. I was then approached by the Balalaika (Protea) Hotel and soon became the youngest junior manager in the Protea Hotel Group.

What came next?

I had a yearning to travel and decided to take a three month break, which incidentally became a two year break! I toured the UK and Europe and also enjoyed time on a kibbutz in Israel. After a while my money ran out and I had made my mind up I wasn’t ready to return to SA so became an Au Pair for an 11-year-old girl. This is when I had my first chance in the entertainment industry as her father was in entertainment and had recently bought a derelict theatre, which was to become the Dominion Theatre in London. While I was there the experience I gained was instrumental to where I am today.

Collett returned to South Africa in 1992 and went back to work in the hotel industry but hated it. After working at the Dominion Theatre, she yearned to get involved again in the entertainment world and sent three letters, one to Richard Loring, one to Janice Honeyman and the other to Peter Torien.

Life as a publicist

Richard phoned me, we had a chat and I began working at the Soundstage Clapperboard Restaurant in Midrand. Richard and Debbie Batzofin soon saw I had good people skills and I became front of house and then manager and when Jeanette Loring, Richard’s wife got to know me she realised I would make a good publicist.

My years there were marvellous and I met wonderful people, many who have remained my friends. Highlights working with Richard were African Footprints, Girl Talk, Oh, Boy and the Young Ones. I left the Soundstage in 2006 and people thought I was mad as I loved my job there but I was passionate about entertainment and wanted to go into music. With the support of Richard and his team I stayed on with them as a client and took an unknown step into freelance work. I had a few clients within the music, movie and theatre industry and was on a retainer with Joburg Theatre.

What were some of your highlights at Joburg Theatre? 

Definitely the Twelve Tenors, as well as Burn the Floor and Boys in The Photograph. Pantomimes included Cinderella, Robinson Crusoe and Jack and the Beanstalk. I also managed artistes, among others, Shawn V and Cito.

In 2011 Cito and I began working on Peace Starts and we both realised we had a great working ethic and I took on all the managing of Cito’s career. During 2012 we were talking about the future and in February 3013 we launched The CoLab Network.

What are your plans for the future?

Immediate, the show Swingin’ Christmas which will play at The Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City on Saturday November 30, for one night only. Stars of the show will be Cito, Pixie Bennett, Tracey-Lee Oliver and Yamikani Mahaka-Phiri  accompanied by the fabulous 17-piece Johannesburg Big Band. It promises to be absolutely fantastic with everyone’s favourite Christmas Carols, with hits like Jingle Bells, Let it Snow and Have Yourself a Merry Christmas, all swung into a stylish big band sound!

I think plans for the future will include taking what we have now to a higher level and producing and promoting on a bigger scale. We (Cito and me) are passionate about giving back to the industry, mentoring and teaching new work ethics to up and coming young artistes. What do you love about your job and what advice would you give to upcoming publicists?  Development of young artistes is top of the list. We have so much young talent in South Africa which needs to be exposed in the correct way. I appreciate all the effort that goes into a production and seeing the look of awe on the audiences faces when the curtain goes up is just amazing!

Advice? The role of a publicist is behind the scenes. It’s not your roll to be out in the front.  You have to understand the difference between skills, pay attention to detail and will have to be able to multi task and have excellent work ethics. Entertainment has changed over the years and now entertainers all need to work together for the better of the industry.

What don’t most people know about you?

I’m a sport fanatic and a huge formula one fan with Louis Hamilton being my favourite driver. If you hadn’t been a publicist what would you have wanted to do? When I was a child I always said I’d be a social worker. I realised very quickly this wouldn’t have been a good career for me. I would have given too much of my soul. What do you do to relax? I love spending time with my family. I’m an avid reader and of course I watch sport on TV.

Favourite food and drinks?

I love Italian and Chinese food and coffee is my favourite drink, not instant though, really good coffee.

Favourite restaurant in the South?

Has to be Gino’s in Robertsham. Delicious food and great service!