Scenario Productions Shapes the Future of South African Theatre with Groundbreaking Youth Initiatives and Youth Development.

Centurion, South Africa – Scenario Productions, in collaboration with Scenario College for Performing Arts and Die Centurion Teater, is leading the charge in cultivating the next generation of theatre professionals through a dynamic combination of education, mentorship, and real-world stage experience. With the return of the Nova Arts Festival and the launch of two Young Theatre Companies, Scenario Productions is redefining what it means to nurture and empower emerging theatre-makers in South Africa.

Nova Arts Festival: A Launchpad for New Voices

Running from 26 June – 5 July 2025, the Nova Arts Festival for New and Young Theatre has become a vibrant fixture in South Africa’s arts calendar. Produced by Scenario Productions in partnership with Die Centurion Teater, this annual celebration of youth-driven theatre is a platform for young creatives to challenge conventions, hone their craft, and share their stories with a wider audience.

The festival features:
• One-Act Plays by students, emerging playwrights and directors.
• A brand-new original musical, debuting as a showcase of fresh talent and fearless storytelling.

More than a performance series, Nova is a mentorship-driven initiative, offering participants real-world training in directing, design, stage management, and writing. It is a movement of innovation, collaboration, and inclusion—redefining theatre as a space for bold experimentation.

From 3 – 5 July, audiences will be taken on a journey with Once Upon a Never, which is ‘A Wickedly Outrageous Musical Parody’ devised by the students. This fun and new experimental musical theatre piece shows audiences what happens to fairy tale characters after the fairytale ‘happily ever after’ ends; in particular the dilemma they all face when Tinkerbell disappears and their dependency on her fairy dust becomes hugely apparent.

Then patrons are in for a treat with five different one act plays by students from 26 – 28 June. Each original play will be showcased back to back on each night under the same theme “The Things We Keep”. Once again all those involved are mentored and trained by industry professionals to give them a taste of how the industry works.

Young Theatre Companies: Building the Next Generation from the Ground Up

In a landmark 2025 expansion, Scenario Productions launched two new professional youth theatre companies in partnership with Die Centurion Teater:
• Scenario Junior (Grades 4–7)
• Scenario Youth (Grades 8–12)

These companies offer high-level theatrical training and experience through fully staged productions with professional oversight. After a rigorous audition process in March, two casts of talented young performers were selected to bring two major productions to life:

Scenario Junior presents Alice in Wonderland – Die Nuwe Afrikaanse Musiekblyspel
Performance Dates: 14 – 16 August 2025
An imaginative, Afrikaans musical reimagining of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale—filled with whimsical charm, heart, and a celebration of curiosity.

Step into a whimsical world of imagination with Alice in Wonderland – Die Nuwe Afrikaanse Musiekblyspel, a delightful Afrikaans adaptation of the timeless tale. Follow Alice as she tumbles down the rabbit hole and embarks on a fantastical journey filled with quirky characters, impossible riddles, and valuable life lessons.

Scenario Youth presents Fame Jr – The Musical
Performance Dates: 21 – 23 August 2025
Presented by arrangement with DALRO (Pty) Ltd, representing Musical Theatre International (MTI), this high-energy production follows a group of aspiring artists navigating the highs and lows of performing arts school.

Fame Jr. follows a group of diverse, young students at New York’s High School for the Performing Arts as they pursue their artistic dreams, navigating the challenges and triumphs of their four-year journey. The musical explores themes of ambition, friendship, and self-discovery through high-energy dance numbers and a contemporary pop score

Both productions include weekly rehearsals and an intensive bootcamp during the July holidays—designed to offer a deep dive into character development, stagecraft, and ensemble work under the guidance of industry professionals.

By Popular Demand for the little ones

Scenario Productions also saw the success of their two children’s theatre shows and by popular demand, they will be returning for a short season to Die Centurion Teater.

From 4 – 5 July, Jan en die Boontjierank will be returning – this follows the story Jan, a lazy farm boy who prefers his XBOX over his chores, his long-suffering mother, a mischievous town merchant, and a chicken that just can’t resist the spotlight! And of course, there’s a Giant who does NOT like unexpected visitors…

This high-energy show brings all the beloved elements of a traditional pantomime—clever comedy, interactive moments, over-the-top antics, and plenty of surprises.

From 18 – 19 July, The Three Little Disco Pigs returns with our three piggy pop stars, fresh off their Grammy-winning success. They have traded Hollywood for a peaceful retreat in the woods. But their biggest hater, Brian the Wolf, isn’t having it—he blames their disco hit for ruining his country-rock career, and now he’s out for revenge!

A New Era of Theatre-Making

Scenario Productions’ growing slate of youth-focused programs represents a powerful shift in arts education and production in South Africa. By offering opportunities that blend learning with hands-on experience, Scenario is actively shaping confident, capable, and creative professionals who will define the future of the stage.

Purchase tickets for the Nova Arts Festival, Alice in Wonderland and Fame Jr, plus for Jan en die Boontjierank and The Three Little Disco Pigs via https://centurionteater.co.za/

For more information on Scenario Productions, visit https://www.scenarioproductions.co.za/

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