Students from Grade 4 to Grade 12 took centre stage as Reddam House Waterfall’s production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR captivated audiences with its outstanding performances, spectacular musical numbers and heartwarming storytelling.
Bringing together students from across the Preparatory and College campuses, the production showcased not only exceptional talent but also the collaboration, creativity and commitment that define the school’s performing arts programme.
The production was brought to life by Reddam House Waterfall’s Music Arts Dance and Drama Department (MADD), with a creative team comprising Tristan McConnell (Director of Preparatory Arts and Culture), Charlotte Tervit, Leandri Greef, Emma Campbell (Director of College Arts and Culture), Jenna Fieldgate, Hanre Holtzhauzen and Cora-Mari van der Westhuizen.
In keeping with the collaborative nature of the department, the team worked across the different disciplines throughout the rehearsal period, collectively contributing to the direction, choreography and broader creative development of the production.
Drama Teacher Tristan McConnell said the musical proved to be the ideal vehicle for developing students both on and off the stage. “Beauty and the Beast JR felt like the perfect choice because it offers something for everyone,” he said. “It is a timeless story with unforgettable music, fantastic humour and meaningful themes of kindness, courage, acceptance and looking beyond appearances. Just as importantly, it provides opportunities for a huge number of students to shine. From principal roles to the ensemble, every performer has an important part to play.”
One of the production’s greatest successes was the way it united students of different ages into a single company. “Our older students naturally stepped into leadership roles, modelling professionalism, commitment and encouragement for the younger cast members, while our younger performers brought an infectious enthusiasm and excitement into every rehearsal,” said McConnell.
“Rather than seeing the age difference as a challenge, we embraced it as one of our greatest strengths. Theatre is built on ensemble, and it was wonderful to watch students who may never otherwise have worked together form genuine friendships and become one company with a shared goal.”
Months of rehearsals culminated in polished performances featuring much-loved songs including Belle, Gaston and Be Our Guest, supported by impressive choreography, colourful costumes and memorable stagecraft.
However, McConnell and Campbell agree that the production’s greatest achievements happened long before the curtain rose. As McConnell explains: “Productions like this teach much more than performance skills. Students develop resilience, discipline, accountability, time management and the ability to receive and apply constructive feedback. They learn that excellence comes from consistency rather than perfection, and that every member of an ensemble has an equally valuable role in creating something extraordinary.”
He added that productions such as these help students develop confidence, creativity and teamwork in ways that extend well beyond the classroom. “They learn to take risks, communicate effectively, solve problems creatively and support one another through challenges. Standing on stage certainly builds confidence, but equally important is learning to trust yourself, contribute to a team and persevere when something feels difficult. Those are life skills that students carry with them long after the final curtain call.”
The lead roles were shared across two casts, with Lili Horo and Darshan Govender portraying Belle and the Beast in the Purple Cast, while Mikara Perumal and William Grace took on the same roles in the Yellow Cast.
Reflecting on the production, McConnell said seeing the students’ personal growth throughout the process had been the highlight of the experience. “The greatest achievement wasn’t simply the final performance. It was watching our students develop in confidence, support one another, overcome challenges and take genuine ownership of the production. Seeing how much every student grew throughout the journey is what made the experience so worthwhile.”
The production reflected Reddam House Waterfall’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded young people by providing opportunities to excel academically, creatively and personally, while demonstrating the transformative power of the performing arts.
