Young performers take centre stage for arts future

As Kuala Lumpur’s recent arts festival concludes after bringing performers and audiences together across the city, attention is turning towards a different question: who will sustain the performing arts in the years ahead?

THE STORY BOOK Academy is seeking to answer that question through its upcoming theatre season on June 21 at PJ Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC), featuring five productions performed entirely by children aged between four and 15.

The season will include stage adaptations of Toy Story, The Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Our Greatest Show, a loose adaptation inspired by The Greatest Showman. Organisers say the productions are designed to give young participants first-hand experience in the performing arts while nurturing the next generation of performers and arts supporters.

“In the past month, we’ve seen how powerful live performances can be in bringing people together,” said Jeanisha Wan, Director of THE STORY BOOK Academy.

“But for the arts to continue thriving, children need to experience it not just as audiences, but as participants.”

Wan noted that opportunities for children to engage in creative expression and live performance have become increasingly limited amid growing academic demands and the prevalence of digital entertainment. However, educators continue to recognise the value of performing arts in helping children develop confidence, communication skills and imagination.

Scholarships expand access to performing arts

Beyond showcasing young talent, this year’s theatre season also highlights efforts to make arts education more accessible.

Through an ongoing collaboration with the Dignity for Children Foundation since 2024, THE STORY BOOK Academy has provided performing arts scholarships to children from underserved communities.

Several scholarship recipients will take part in Cinderella and Our Greatest Show, including Ethan, who will perform the lead role in Our Greatest Show. Organisers said his journey from having limited access to arts opportunities to leading a full-scale production demonstrates the impact that exposure and support can have on young people.

“When children from different backgrounds rehearse and perform together, they learn more than acting,” Wan said.

“They learn how to communicate, collaborate, and support one another. These are life skills that stay with them long after the curtain falls.”

The academy said the event aims to encourage families, educators and members of the public to support youth participation in the arts and help sustain Malaysia’s creative ecosystem.

Tickets for the performances are available through OneTix Malaysia. The academy will also open its next student intake in June. Further information can be found at THE STORY BOOK Academy.