Young performers shine through inspiring theatre showcase at PJPAC stage

Young performers from THE STORY BOOK Academy took centre stage at the PJ Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC) recently, presenting a theatre showcase that celebrated creativity, confidence and the role of arts education in nurturing the next generation of performers.

Held on June 21, the showcase featured five productions — Toy Story, The Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Our Greatest Show — performed by children aged between four and 15 before an audience comprising families, educators and arts supporters.

The performances reflected months of rehearsals, with participants demonstrating acting, singing and stagecraft while developing teamwork, resilience and communication skills. Among the youngest performers were four-year-old children who appeared in Toy Story and The Wizard of Oz, while The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, part of The Chronicles of Narnia, featured several real-life siblings sharing the stage.

“For many of these children, this was more than a performance — it was a moment of growth,” said THE STORY BOOK Academy director Jeanisha Wan.

“Watching them step onto stage with courage and joy reminded us why giving children access to the arts matters so much.”

Scholarship Programme Promotes Inclusive Arts Education

The showcase also highlighted the academy’s collaboration with Dignity for Children Foundation, through which performing arts scholarships have been offered to children from underserved communities since 2024.

This year’s scholarship recipients performed in Cinderella and Our Greatest Show, with one student, Ethan, taking on a lead role in the latter production. Several children from the foundation also portrayed key characters in Cinderella, including the Prince, King and narrators.

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

“They learn empathy, communication, discipline, and how to support one another. These are experiences that stay with them beyond the stage.”

Parents and audience members responded positively, with many noting improvements in their children’s confidence, independence and self-expression. The academy said it hopes the showcase will reinforce the importance of arts education and encourage greater opportunities for children to explore creativity from an early age while contributing to the future of Malaysia’s performing arts landscape.