News – What’s Been Happening!

FROM CLASSROOM TO STAGE   SAT 10 OCTOBER, 2026 – NORMAN HENSHILWOOD SCHOOL, WYNBERG  09H30 – 13HO0

Registration and payment details

BOOK YOUR SPOT NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT- First Come, first served.

Directing a play, coaching orals, entering a festival, or introducing new performance experiences to a youth group,  can be overwhelming if theatre isn’t your background. You are not alone!

From Classroom to Stage bridges the gap by providing highly actionable tips and tools to dramatically improve performance and presentation readiness in class, on stage, or within community projects.

In addition to our qualified drama and  dance teachers,  our Circle Productions’ facilitators have forty plus years in community theatre and the last six years,  guiding learners and educators from Westlake Primary School on their journey to the Shakespeare Schools Festival.

This experience has inspired From Classroom to Stage, where we share the key learnings, creative processes, and proven strategies that help our young performers grow in confidence, collaboration, and self-expression.

Our interactive workshop offers valuable insights into transforming a classroom or drama club programme into a meaningful, accessible, and effective experience for all.

The Classroom to Stage programme – a little taste of what to expect:

• Activities to build confidence and and help overcoming stage fright
• Simple vocal techniques for projection, clarity, and expression
• Creative storytelling using movement, space, and sound
• Budget-friendly and adaptable approach to production, props, costume bits and bobs

💰 FEE OPTIONS

(Includes bottled water & a lunchtime snack)

• Standard Fee: R250

Discounted Fee: R150 (For Teachers & Youth Leaders)

BOOK YOUR SPOT NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT- First Come, first served.

Registration and payment details

THE SHAKESPEARE SCHOOLS FESTIVAL 2026

What a triumph!  Our Westlake Drama Club kids knocked it out of the park.

Circle Productions,  the  parents, and educators at Westlake Primary School are so proud of them.   For many, the first time in a professional theatre, on a professional stage.

Everything was exciting, the huge foyer, the red velvet seated auditorium, the dressing rooms, the Final Dress Rehearsal and the ultimate goal – a performance on “a real stage” to an appreciate audience.

The process introduces these youngsters to Shakespeare in an accessible, fun, workshopped  and a “let’s do it our way” approach.

Circle thanks The Shakespeare Schools Festival, the Fondazione Labia, the UP Foundation, NYC

 

 

 

 

 

 

Westlake Primary has been part of the Shakespeare Schools Festival (SSF) journey with us since 2021 — and each year, we challenge ourselves to raise the bar. This year? We went all out.

Our 2025 production, Much Ado About EVERYTHING, was a bold and playful tribute to the world of Shakespeare — weaving together iconic characters and scenes in a way that was fresh, funny, and full of heart.

But the real magic? It was a collaborative performance between Westlake Primary and Grassdale High, brought to life on stage at the Star Theatre, Homecoming Centre. Presented in two acts, this “double whammy” allowed for exciting cross-pollination between primary and high school performers, building bridges of creativity, mentorship, and mutual inspiration.  Double whammy too, as our heartfelt thanks go to the Fondazione Labia and the UP Foundation, NYC whose generous support and partnership with Circle Productions, allows these dreams to come true.

The result was electric — a celebration of young voices, bold choices, and what’s possible when we dream together.

And this is just the beginning.
Watch this space… exciting new things are on the horizon.

WESTLAKE PRIMARY SCHOOL DRAMA CLUB 2024
(est. 2019)

 

 

HILLTOPPERS SENIORS CLUB, WESTLAKE COMMUNITY 2024
(est. Jan 2024)

There is no age restriction when it comes to the joy of expression and learning through the arts

GRASSDALE HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA CLUB 2024
(est. 2023)

• “Besides an academic curriculum, we strongly believe that children should explore all avenues of development. This is possible through sports as well as the arts.
• We are privileged to have Dance Studies as a subject and we were introduced to drama as an extramural subject in 2023, by two phenomenal ladies, Celia and Coleen.
• They have brought fame and honour to our students and school by successfully staging two drama events. I look forward to what they have in store for us in the future.”

SISONKE YOUTH FESTIVAL  – WESTLAKE COMMUNITY

We Draw on our 30+ years of community theatre and share our love and passion for all things theatre in our programmes.

This is How:                                                                                       Working With:

Telling stories Movement Mime Spoken word Self-Expression Finding our Voice

Respecting our costumes Looking after props Working together Always doing our best

Partners Collaborators Sponsors

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT THIS YEAR!

 

OUR ON STAGE PERFORMANCE ROCKED THE HOUSE

Westlake Primary School took to the stage again this year in a vibrant, colourful, and energetic version of Julius Caesar that we set in an energy company called Power Absolute,  and where Caesar hoped  to become the new CEO.  Things did not go his way!

Thank you to the Fondazione Labia, our primary funder,  for their continued support of our drama programmes  and annual Shakespeare Schools Festival  production  and to the UP Foundation, New York  and Methodical Investment Management, Cape Town, whose support helped with the drama bridging programme, costumes,  refreshments and transport. Without this support and the incredible school  – kids, teachers,  and principal we work with, this could not happen.

Costume Call for Westlake Primary at the Shakespeare Schools Fest 2024