Neels Clasen started his professional career in 1999. He has performed in numerous national theatrical productions, including three Janice Honeymann pantomimes, five Barnyard shows, BOYBAND, ANNIE, FAME and most recently WE WILL ROCK YOU, for which he was nominated for a Naledi award in the category, Best Male Performance in a Musical, for his portrayal of the villain, Khashoggi.

This production toured Asia in 2007 & 2008 a period where Neels had the tremendous pleasure of working with the international comedic and writing genius, Ben Elton. He has extensive television experience and was seen in three series of SOUL BUDDYZ and presented CINEMAGIC with Barry Ronge. Other series include DIE CASPER RASPER SHOW and IETERMAGO (Kyknet), ISIDINGO and ZERO TOLERANCE (SABC2).

He was also co-writer and actor in the Kyknet series, BLIKSKOTTEL (2003) as well as the SABC 2 series KOMPLEKS and KOMPLEKS 2 that he also co-directed. KOMPLEKS 2 was nominated in four categories at the annual SAFTA awards, for Best Comedy Series, Best Comedy Writing, Best Comedy Ensemble and Best Director of a Comedy Series.

Neels played a lead role in the American thriller SLASH, and starred in the German feature film SILENCE OF THE WHALES. Furthermore, he had the great honour of briefly working alongside Tim Robbins in the film CATCH A FIRE.

Between 2001 and 2007, he was employed as lecturer at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Musical Theatre Department where he directed numerous plays including his own pantomime, ROOIKEPPIE AND THE SEVEN BERGIES (2005) and more recently his acclaimed production of RENT (2009). In recent years he has worked extensively as writer and director for The Barnyard Theatres, uShaka Marine World and the Peermont Resort Group, culminating in the creation of Emperor’s Palace’s revue show, SPOTLIGHT, which he co-created with Tyrone Watkins and Heidi Edeling.

His true passion, that has often played second fiddle, however, is performing and he cannot wait to be part of the worldwide phenomenon that is MAMA MIA!