For many, appearing in a production on the Artscape stage is beyond their reach.
However, a partnership between the First Community Resource Centre NPC and Artscape has made this dream obtainable for a group of 50 people from Hanover Park.
With a cast ranging from age 4 to 50, this year the NPC will put on a production of Not just another Cinderella story in September.
While the play helps raise needed funds for the NPC’s orphan-and-vulnerable children project, it has a more profound impact on the lives of the children and residents who participate in it.
Tammy-Jo Matthews says this production was first produced 12 years ago, the play offers a full circle moment for some of the actors who started as the little dancers and have now progressed to be the main characters.
“We have been doing different productions in between, but this one was first done 12 years ago,” he said. “The children who were in the production as little dancers are now the actors and big dancers. It is nice to see children that were the four-year-olds, now teens still in this.
“This space creates a bridge for them because, in communities such as Hanover Park and Manenberg, children reach a certain age and then fall into the statistics of the area.”
There are practice runs all year, as this has become a prevention programme to keep children out of the grip of societal ills such as gangsterism and substance abuse.
Senior social worker at the First Community Resource Centre Jacqueline Hoorn said the children are also able to work through their traumas and experiences by portraying characters, something that has helped them identify where interventions are required.
“It is a way to heal,” she said. “During rehearsals, you will see the issues hit home and have emotional breakdowns. But we also see them grow emotionally through playing these characters. This is giving them a platform to deal with their issues, and it is amazing how they bring that across in their performances.”
The stories follow topical issues in the community.
From the topic of abortion told through “Mary had a little lamb” to gender-based violence told through “Jack and Jill” and abandonment in the story of Cinderella.
“It speaks to the reality of what children facing in the community,” says Matthews.
Martina Martin, the coordinator of the All for One Child programme, also participated in the first production and will join the cast again this time.
Not only is this an opportunity for the cast, but also for residents.
“Last year we invited a group of residents,” she said.
“They took the opportunity to get dressed up and show up for the moment. This is creating experiences for them as well as the children.
“This is also a way to show the children that their voices matter. Not only is it a play, it is a way for them to raise their voices and make it count.”
The play will be presented at the Artscape from the end of September, with professional costuming, make-up and staging assistance provided by Artscape.
Tickets will go on sale closer to the time.
