Aardvark Casting is one of Africa's largest casting agencies for babies, children and adults. Most of the students in the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy join Aardvark Casting.

Jaques van Jaarsveld is an actor and one of South Africa's best mime artists. He is a versatile performer and highly skilled in front of the camera, on stage and behind the microphone.

Jaques completed his degree in acting in 1998 at the Tshwane University of Technology, specializing in mime and physical theatre. In 2003, he completed a course at the London School Of Physical Theatre. He has subsequently performed both locally and internationally.

As physical performance artist, Jaques is an internationally approved and trained cast member, performing with Nickelodeon, as well as with Barney, The Purple Dinosaur.

As an acclaimed mine artist, Jaques has done more than 3,000 appearances. He is currently collaborating with Oakfields College in Pretoria on their dance production for the Grahamstown International Arts Festival.

Jaques has featured in a number of TV advertisements, broadcasted locally and internationally. He starred in feature films such as Leon Shuster’s “Oh Shucks, Ek’s Gatvol!” and Kalushi (releasing 2016). His numerous TV appearances include Egoli, Villa Rosa, Donkerland and Bloedbroers. As stage actor, Jaques featured in more than 40 plays, with his one-man show, “Beheer” being the most challenging to date. “Beheer” debuted in 2009 at Aardklop and was also performed at KKNK and in theatres around the country. In “Beheer” Jaques can be seen portraying sixteen different characters.

Over the years, Jaques has worked with numerous pupils of all ages, preparing them for Eisteddfod performances, school plays, talent shows and mime acts. In 2015, one of his students won the National Eisteddfod in her age group.

Jaques took over the Helen O' Grady Drama Academy Overberg from April 2016 and is most excited about his involvement with the Drama Academy and the development of all students.