Why Musical Theater?
Musical theater combines acting, singing and dancing: Three key elements when it comes to building self-confidence in children & teens.
Theater has been proven to be theraputic.
So many children come to us with a low self-esteem, victims of bullying and some just struggle with self-acceptance. Musical theater helps in all facets of emotional growth and confidence. Not only in children but also in adults. We sometimes forget to let go and have fun!
Drama, dance and music are universal languages and helps with emotional development. Besides being incredible fun, musical theatre helps young people develop many of the skills necessary in today’s world.
Musical theatre improves self-confidence, creative problem solving, teamwork and trust, social and spatial awareness, communication skills and public speaking, imagination and empathy, motivation and commitment, ability to work independently, a healthy self-image, critical thinking, resilience, self-discipline, concentration, dedication, responsibility and leadership skills.
Drama, dance and music are universal languages and helps with emotional development. Besides being incredible fun, musical theatre helps young people develop many of the skills necessary in today’s world.
Musical theatre improves self-confidence, creative problem solving, teamwork and trust, social and spatial awareness, communication skills and public speaking, imagination and empathy, motivation and commitment, ability to work independently, a healthy self-image, critical thinking, resilience, self-discipline, concentration, dedication, responsibility and leadership skills.
Meet your teacher and director
Xander Steyn’s passion is theatre!
His drive and commitment to his passion shines through the eyes of his students! From the age of 6 to 96, Xander wants to give EVERYONE the opportunity to be on stage!
No student leaves the Rabbit Theatre School untouched! We learn, we grow, we understand more of ourselves and others, but most importantly, we learn how to get over those self-esteem hurdles.
Xander has worked with kids with Asperger’s, ADHD & Tourette Syndrome. In his adult classes he has worked with plumbers, doctors, teachers, secretaries, chartered accountants and even his mother.
Some of his experience as a director, choreographer, singer, dancer, actor, MC and teacher:
Theater experience (2000 to 2009)
2009-10 – Bundu Buddies, Aardklop (Lead)
2008 – Janice Honeyman’s Snow White (Starky) Joburg Theatre
2008 – The Rocky Horror Show (Phantom) Victory Theatre
2007 – Janice Honeyman’s Peter Pan (Seb Scumdawg) Joburg Theatre
2007 – Fiddler on the Roof (Nachum) Joburg Theatre
2006 – Janice Honeyman’s Aladdin (Ensemble) Joburg Theatre
2006 – My Fair Lady (Ensemble) Pta State Theatre
2006 – Vere (’Haan’ & Choreographer) Mosaïek Theatre
2005 – Speel Speel (‘Nicky’ & Choreographer) Mosaïek Theatre
2004 – Krokketopia (Justin) Mosaïek Theatre
2003 – Adam, die appel en God (Dancer) Sand du Plessis Theatre
2003 – Lappop Job (Choreographer) Menlyn NG
Theater experience (2010 to 2019)
2019 – Sleeping Beauty (Director, Writer & Choreographer) Sand du Plessis Theatre
2019- Alice in Wonderland (Director, Writer & Choreographer) Sand du Plessis Theatre
2019- Mannekoor Koorfees (Choreographer) Kovsiekerk
2018 – Willem Postma Koor (Choreographer) Sand du Plessis Theatre
2018 – Cinderella (Director, Writer & Choreographer) Sand du Plessis Theatre
2018 – Robin in the Hood (Director, Writer & Choreographer) Sand du Plessis Theatre
2017 – Sentraal Massakoor (Choreographer) Sand du Plessis Theatre
2017 – Bling & Black Tie – Arco Musica (MC, Singer & Choreographer) Rambler’s Club
2017- Aladdin (Director & Choreographer) Sand du Plessis Theatre
2016 – Joseph & his Amazing technicolor Dreamcoat (Choreographer) JF Laer
2016 – Ek lief die Vrystaat (Choreographer) Emoya Estat
2016 – Snow White & the & 7 Tsotsis (Director & Choreographer) Kovsiekerk
2016 – A Symphonic Affair – Arco Musica (Choreographer) Sand du Plessis Theatre
2016-19 – Miss Free State (Producer & Choreographer) Sand du Plessis Theatre
2015 – Best of Broadway – Arco Musica (Choreographer) Sand du Plessis Theatre
2015-20 – Sentraal Gala & Classis Clash (Choreographer) BFN Stadiums
2015 – Grease (Director & Choreographer) Civic Theatre
2015-17 – RAG Crowning Ball (Producer & Choreographer) Kovsiekerk / Callie Human
2015 – Mamma Mia (Director & Choreographer) Civic Theatre
2015 – Beauty & the Beast (Director & Choreographer) Civic Theatre
2015-20 – Hans Haas (Writer, Director & Choreographer) Free State Arts Festival
2014 – MARS – WP Produksie – Maretha Maartens (Choreographer) Sand du Plessis Theatre
2014 – Choreographer for Grey Choir & Indomitus – Grey Music Festival Sand du Plessis Theatre
2012-13 – Director, Teacher & Choreographer of Educational Musicals in Seoul, South Korea:
The Sound of Music,Beauty& the Beast,Lion King,West Side Story,,The Little Mermai
2012 – The Rocky Horror Show (Rocky) Barnyard
2011 – ‘What a Feeling’ (Lead singer/dancer) Boma Theatre
2011 – Tree Aan (Ensemble) Pta State Theatre
2010 – Performed with Imogen Heap UK Artist (Lyric Theatre)
2010 – Top 15 Men dancers in ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ (SABC2)
2010 – MC at the Fifa World Cup (Centurion Fanpark)
2010 – Stasioner (‘Charlie’ & Choreographer) Mosaïek Theatre
Theater experience (2021 to present)
2021 – The Wicked Wizard of Oz! (Director , Writer & Choreographer) The Rabbit Studio
2021 – Red Riding Hood & the 3little Pigs! (Director, Writer & Choreographer) The Rabbit Studio
2020 – Fairy Tales Fluffed Up! [just like 2020] (Director, Writer & Choreographer) The Rabbit Studio
What do we do?
We teach! Our programme consists of acting, a little singing and a lot of movement & dancing. You or your child DO NOT need to be an actor, dancer or singer! We work with EVERYONE and find each student a spot in the big picture. The movement part of class helps with body-awareness, rhythm, coordination, flexibility, and core development. We work in a group class setup with ‘fun’ being the operative word! Working in groups also help with social interaction, spatial skills and communication. Although all the teachers are Afrikaans, we prefer to work in English with the students. This helps to improve important language tools such as pronunciation, projection, and voice clarity.
Our Productions
Our programme consists of pantomime-type productions, written by our director with choreographed musical song & dance numbers that are current and ‘hip’.
The productions have a local flavour to it (90% English & 10% Afrikaans) and some light political humour and most importantly they are super fun, both for the actors on stage as well as the audience watching!
Meet your assistant teacher
Jené is an actor, voice actor, script editor, cinematographer & editor with a dramatic arts and film & visual media arts degree. After high school she dabbled in the art of making videos and storytelling. She makes many skits and other projects on multiple YouTube channels.
She’s been working as a teacher at The Rabbit Theatre School since 2018 and also plays a role in each of the productions as well as working as production assistant and stage manager. Some productions she’s starred in: Jesus – Die Passiespel, Hanna, Die Ware Wenner, Hans Haas, What the Tuck, Burrrlesque, Katgriep – Kort Film..
How does it work?
One 2-hour group class per week. Theatre Tots- 30-60 min group class per week.
We focus on drama and musical elements as well as movement and dancing. Skills are developed through interactive and educational games. Within the first three weeks (Theatre Tots after 6-8 weeks) each student gets a script of a production; (an old folk/fairy tale rewritten by our director (i.e Aladdin, Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Red Riding Hood & the 3 Little Pigs etc.) and E A C H S T U D E N T gets a role!
Students will also get a chance to have input in the script and develop their own character from beginning to end. Twice a year (Theatre Tots – once at the end of the year) the stage will be set with decor, big costumes, magical lights for all to see the students in their element!
Everyone is welcome! No audition needed!
Times
Theatre Tots (Gr. R – Gr. 3) :
Fridays 13:45-14:15 (30 min class) at the Studio.
1 Production at the end of the year.
Primary School (Gr. 4 – Gr. 7) you pick one:
Mondays OR Thursdays 16:00-18:00 (one 2-hour class per week)
High School (ages 13-18) you pick one:
Tuesdays 14:00 – 16:00 OR 16:00 – 18:00 (one 2-hour class per week)
Adults
Mondays 18:15-20:00 (one class per week)
2 PRODUCTIONS PER YEAR!
Contact us at theatre@rabbithouse.co.za or Call: Xander 061 203 8589
Contact Us:
If you are inquiring for Theatre Tots please provide Student Name, School name and Grade in the messagfe box.
