Discovery A school teacher’s love and passion for the theatre led her on an emotion yet fulfilling journey with her pupils.
Claudette McLean received a notice about auditions at the People’s Theatre; she decided to extend the offer to pupils that were interested.
“I am a member of the theatre and take my children and grandchildren there all the time so when I found out about the auditions I just had to act,” she said.
The auditions are for Disney’s Peter Pan Jr and McLean together with a colleague took interested pupils to the theatre to participate.
After numerous call backs, five pupils from the school were chosen to be in the production which takes place during the upcoming school holidays.
“This is a first for our school and we must pursue this kind of activities even more. I have always noticed how talented the pupils are at our annual concerts. We need to find a way to nurture their talents here at school,” she said.
Keisha-Tyler Heldsinger, Vuyolwethu Mphambani, Daiyaan Marshman, Kieran Wagner, Lisa Baisie and Kamogelo Mholo were beaming with joy after excelling at the auditions.
Grade 7 pupil Heldsinger got the roles of a pirate and Indian and said she was excited yet worried about the upcoming exams.
“I jumped for joy when I found out I made it. It is a dream of mine to be on a theatre stage. Im am so grateful to my parents for their support as well as the school too,” she said.
Grade 5 pupil Mphambani was just as excited as she was cast to be a lost boy and a mermaid.
“I’ve just got joy in my heart, just like my name suggests. It is a bit scary to know that I will be involved in such a big production but I know it will be a fun experience,” she said.
Daiyaan Marshman who is in grade 5 was cast as an Indian, lost boy and a crocodile.
“I owe a big thank you to my wonderful grandfather who took us to the auditions even though he is not well. I wanted to make sure I got a role just for him. This year I vowed to be in an advert on television so this is close enough,” he said.
Grade 3 pupil Kieran Wagner will be a lost boy in the production and said he cant wait to be on stage on and does what he loves which is acting.
Grade 5 pupil Lisa Baisie will be an Indian and pirate. Although this is not her first time participating in a theatre production, she is just as excited.
Kamogelo Mholo who is in grade 7 will be an Indian and a pirate.
“My aim is to just enjoy myself because it will be very exciting for all of us,” she said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYPI-cBkFDQ&feature=youtu.be
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